Acne isn’t necessarily something that goes away when you become an adult. Although the peak period for outbreaks of acne is between 17 and 18 in girls, and between 19 and 20 in boys, it is perfectly normal for blackheads and whiteheads to continue to form after these ages. Once we understand what is happening to your skin that is causing spots to form, it is easier to see why natural acne face care products are the best treatment.
Our skin is covered in an oily substance called “sebum”. Sebum acts as the body’s natural moisturiser, ensuring our skin does not become dry, cracked and painful. During puberty, high levels of hormones are released into our bodies. Amongst these is testosterone, a male-type sex hormone that is found in both men and women. Testosterone causes the sebaceous glands that produce sebum to enlarge and overproduce the substance. Men are understandably more prone to acne as their bodies contain more testosterone This excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and congeals in the pores of our skin. This dark-coloured plug is what is commonly called a “blackhead” and doesn’t mean one is unclean; the dark colour of the blackhead is caused by skin pigment, not dirt. If one has a blackhead, careful squeezing of the area can remove the sebum plug and allow the pore to drain before infection sets in. One must, however, be careful not to damage or irritate the surrounding skin as this can result in permanent scarring and/or further over production of sebum.
The same hormonal changes can also cause our skin to swell up. With the swollen epidermis pressing in, the opening of the pore becomes severely constricted. With little air getting into the pores, bacteria can proliferate and cause infection. Pus builds up as the body sends in white blood cells to fight off the infection. With whiteheads, the best advice is simply to let them be. Your body will deal with them without causing irritation or scarring... Of course, it’s not always that simple is it? A tiny little white bump we can deal with, but many find it embarrassing to walk around with a huge great whitehead on their chin. If you really can’t leave it, then make sure the whitehead is fully formed before attempting to do so (i.e. when the skin is white, soft and supple). Use a sterilised needle to create a small hole in the spot and then gently push in and down. This should minimise scarring and irritation.
Many of us will have heard the old advice that scrubbing your face too hard can actually increase the chances of spots forming. Unlike so many old wives’ tales, this one is actually true. The harshest cleaning regimes may feel like they do the most good, but they can cause major irritation of the skin. Though it can cause problems, your skin needs sebum and its natural reaction to having it removed is to produce more. Many high street acne face care products cause the same trouble. Some contain petrochemicals - which prevent the skin from breathing - and harsh cleaning products - which cause irritation and provoke a defensive reaction from your skin.
Natural and organic acne face care products do not attempt to remove sebum completely. Instead, they balance our body’s production of the chemical. Deep cleansing masks clear out the pores and remove dirt. Some of the treatments are multipurpose, both concealing and tackling spots.
Acne is a natural part of life and nothing to be embarrassed about. If, however, you want to take some steps to try and minimise your outbreaks, it’s always best to go for natural acne face care products.
Our skin is covered in an oily substance called “sebum”. Sebum acts as the body’s natural moisturiser, ensuring our skin does not become dry, cracked and painful. During puberty, high levels of hormones are released into our bodies. Amongst these is testosterone, a male-type sex hormone that is found in both men and women. Testosterone causes the sebaceous glands that produce sebum to enlarge and overproduce the substance. Men are understandably more prone to acne as their bodies contain more testosterone This excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and congeals in the pores of our skin. This dark-coloured plug is what is commonly called a “blackhead” and doesn’t mean one is unclean; the dark colour of the blackhead is caused by skin pigment, not dirt. If one has a blackhead, careful squeezing of the area can remove the sebum plug and allow the pore to drain before infection sets in. One must, however, be careful not to damage or irritate the surrounding skin as this can result in permanent scarring and/or further over production of sebum.
The same hormonal changes can also cause our skin to swell up. With the swollen epidermis pressing in, the opening of the pore becomes severely constricted. With little air getting into the pores, bacteria can proliferate and cause infection. Pus builds up as the body sends in white blood cells to fight off the infection. With whiteheads, the best advice is simply to let them be. Your body will deal with them without causing irritation or scarring... Of course, it’s not always that simple is it? A tiny little white bump we can deal with, but many find it embarrassing to walk around with a huge great whitehead on their chin. If you really can’t leave it, then make sure the whitehead is fully formed before attempting to do so (i.e. when the skin is white, soft and supple). Use a sterilised needle to create a small hole in the spot and then gently push in and down. This should minimise scarring and irritation.
Many of us will have heard the old advice that scrubbing your face too hard can actually increase the chances of spots forming. Unlike so many old wives’ tales, this one is actually true. The harshest cleaning regimes may feel like they do the most good, but they can cause major irritation of the skin. Though it can cause problems, your skin needs sebum and its natural reaction to having it removed is to produce more. Many high street acne face care products cause the same trouble. Some contain petrochemicals - which prevent the skin from breathing - and harsh cleaning products - which cause irritation and provoke a defensive reaction from your skin.
Natural and organic acne face care products do not attempt to remove sebum completely. Instead, they balance our body’s production of the chemical. Deep cleansing masks clear out the pores and remove dirt. Some of the treatments are multipurpose, both concealing and tackling spots.
Acne is a natural part of life and nothing to be embarrassed about. If, however, you want to take some steps to try and minimise your outbreaks, it’s always best to go for natural acne face care products.
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