Acne Advice from Melanie Grant | British Beauty Council
Acne is a chronic skin condition that affects around 20% of us and can really impact our self-esteem. It occurs when our sebaceous glands (which secrete oils, or sebum, to keep the skin supple and nourished) become blocked, leading to the formation of blackheads, blemishes and and cystic lesions. Diet, lifestyle and even underlying health issues (such as polycystic ovary syndrome) can contribute to adult acne.
Hormones are another key influencer, especially as we navigate our teenage years. Seeking advice from a doctor can offer a detailed snapshot of your hormone levels and give a blueprint from which you can make adjustments to your diet, supplementation habits and lifestyle. We're all unique, so working collaboratively with a skin professional to devise a specific home regime and treatment plan is the best way to work strategically to deliver truly personalised, lasting results.
When our skin flares up, go back to basics – the use of too many products or ingredients can cause irritation and sensitisation. It may sound counterintuitive, but avoiding products marketed as “anti-acne” is a good place to start. These can contain alcohols and drying agents that are incredibly stripping of the skin’s natural oils, causing further inflammation and impaired barrier function. Instead, seek out non-comedogenic products that won’t clog the pores, and hydrate with water-based formulas.
When managing acne, consistency is key. Whatever the root cause, create a no-fuss, strategic skincare routine and stick to it, morning and evening. Focus on barrier function, the skin microbiome and reducing inflammation first and foremost. Ingredients like lactic acid, enzymes, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, calendula, yeasts, pre and probiotics and microencapsulated retinol can all be beneficial.
Acne Advice from Dr Sharon Wong | British Beauty Council
Acne is a very common skin condition which can present with a range of appearances including red pimples, pustules, cysts, black heads and white heads. This typically affects the facial skin although the chest and back are also common areas to have acne. Acne is mainly due to genetic factors and hormones. The commonest age to start developing acne is in the teenage years. During puberty the surges in male hormone/testosterone in both boys and girls makes the grease glands in the skin more active resulting in oily and acne-prone skin. Contrary to common belief acne does not just appear in teenagers. The condition can continue well beyond teenage years and in some people it appears for the first time in adulthood. Other factors such as stress and using the wrong skincare products can also exacerbate acne.
Using the right skincare is really important to avoid making acne worse. The routine should include a twice daily (morning and evening) cleanse and moisturise with oil-free, non-comedogenic products to avoid blocking the pores. Include anti-acne actives such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide which help with oil control and ingredients that target blemishes caused by acne such as niacinamide.
It is important to ensure when treating teenage acne, the products used are appropriate for this age group. If the condition does not improve with initial age-appropriate over the counter anti-acne treatments, seeing your GP for prescription medication would be advisable. Applying stronger and or multiple actives in teenagers which are formulated for adult skin can make the situation worse with irritation, sensitivity and even acne flares.
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