So, you want to get rid of acne?

Acne (or Acne Vulgaris) is the most common skin condition in the United States - an estimated 40-50 million Americans may experience it simultaneously - in men and women of all races... and ages! So it's no surprise that there are so many products out there that promise to help you get rid of acne. But how true can these miracle claims be? In your quest to learn how to get rid of acne, it's important to start at the source. Below, we will cover the common causes of acne, some common misconceptions, and how you can reduce the appearance of these acne once and for all!

What is acne?

Before you know how you can help manage something, you first need to know what it is and what can cause it to happen. Acne is a disease in which the sebaceous glands of the skin are disrupted. Naturally, these glands produce sebum, which helps keep our skin hydrated and also helps transport dead skin cells to the surface where they are then shed. However, when someone develops acne, these glands produce excessive amounts of sebum, which collects dead skin cells and other impurities and leads to clogged pores. When this blockage is compromised by bacteria, acne can occur. Pimples most often appear on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders, but they can also appear on the buttocks, scalp, and other parts of the body.

Spot types

The next step is to understand the different types of defects so that you can help troubleshoot them. There are six main types of blemishes that result from acne. They include:

1. Whiteheads: pimples that remain under the surface of the skin

2. Acne: Blemishes that occur when open pores are blocked and this blockage oxidizes and becomes dark in color.

3. papules: Small pink bumps that can be sensitive to touch.

4. Pustules: red patches filled with white or yellow pus.

5. nodules: large, painful and hard to the touch spots that remain deep under the surface of the skin.

6. cysts: Deep, painful, pus-filled pimples that can lead to scarring.

What can cause acne?

Now that you know what acne is and what it looks like, it's time to figure out some of its potential causes. Yes, it's right. Acne can be caused by any number of factors, and finding out the cause of acne is often the key to resolving the problem. The most common acne triggers include:

hormonal fluctuations

When hormones become imbalanced during periods such as puberty, pregnancy, and before the menstrual cycle, the sebaceous glands can become overworked and clogged. These hormonal ups and downs can also be the result of starting or stopping birth control.

GENETICS

If your mom or dad has suffered from acne at some point in their lives, chances are you may have it too.

STRESS

Feeling stressed? It is believed that stress can worsen existing acne. 

While these are just some of the causes of acne, they may not be your cause. To determine exactly what makes your sebaceous glands work at full capacity, it is important to seek the advice of a dermatologist.

adult acne

While most of us get acne in our younger years, many of us have to deal with it again (or even for the first time) later in life. This type of acne is called adult acne and can be one of the hardest to treat because dermatologists don't know the actual cause. What is clear is that adult acne is different from the acne of our youth, as it is often much more cyclical in nature and most commonly appears in women as papules, pustules, and cysts around the mouth, chin, jawline, and cheeks.

How to help prevent acne

You may have clear skin, but breakouts can happen to anyone. To prevent acne on your face, try some of these preventative tips. 

1. CLEAN SKIN

Neglecting to cleanse the skin can lead to the accumulation of impurities in the pores and cause breakouts. Make sure you cleanse your skin daily in the morning and evening to clear dirt and grime from your skin. Stick to mild, gentle cleansers that don't strip the skin. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, try Vichy Normaderm Gel Cleanser. The formula unclogs pores without causing dryness or irritation. 

2. MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN

Just because your skin may be oilier doesn't mean you should forgo moisturizer. Many acne treatments can contain drying ingredients, so it's important to replenish lost moisture.

3. USE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF COSMETICS

Clumping foundation while fighting acne can lead to clogged pores, especially if you're not diligent about removing it at the end of the day. If you must wear makeup, always wash it off at the end of the day and look for non-comedogenic products.

4. APPLY BROAD SPECTRUM SUN CREAM

The harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause serious damage to your skin. Make sure you always put on sunscreen before you go out and reapply at least every two hours. Take extra precautions, seek shade, wear protective clothing, and avoid peak hours of sunshine.

6. DON'T STRESS

Research has found a correlation between skin breakouts and stress. If you feel anxious or overwhelmed, try to find time during the day to calm down and relax. Try practicing relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga to help reduce your stress levels.

How to help reduce the appearance of acne

Whenever you get pimples, the ultimate goal is to learn how to get rid of those pimples, but the truth is that you should focus on reducing their appearance first. You'll also want to start practicing good skincare habits to reduce the chance of new blemishes coming up in the future. Here are a few steps you can take to take care of acne-prone skin: 

1. CLEAN SKIN

Use gentle cleansers morning and evening that won't irritate your skin. Always remember that after cleansing comes moisturizing. By skipping moisturizer, you can dehydrate your skin, which can cause your sebaceous glands to overcompensate for excess oil production.

2. RESISTANCE NEED TO TRY

This may seem like an easy way out, but popping or popping pimples and other blemishes can make them worse and even lead to scarring. What's more, your hands may have bacteria on them that can lead to new breakouts.

3. USE NON-COMEDOGENIC AND NON-OILY PRODUCTS

Choose non-comedogenic formulas for skin care and makeup. These formulas will help reduce the likelihood of clogged pores. Double the effectiveness by using products that are oil-free to avoid adding excess oil to the skin.

4. TRY OTC PRODUCTS

Products containing acne-fighting ingredients have been shown to reduce the appearance of acne. We list a few below! 

Acne Fighting Ingredients to Look for in Skin Care Formulas

The best way to get rid of acne is to use a product that contains a known acne-fighting ingredient. Here are the ones commonly found in products formulated to treat acne:

1. SALICYLIC ACID

Salicylic acid is the leading ingredient in the fight against acne. This beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is available in scrubs, cleansers, spot treatments, and more. It works by chemically exfoliating the skin to help unclog pores and can even help reduce the size and redness of acne blemishes.

2. BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Next on the list is benzoyl peroxide, available in cleansers, spot cleaners, and more. This acne fighter helps kill bacteria that can cause pimples and blemishes, while also helping to remove excess sebum and dead skin cells that clog pores.

3. ALPHA HYDROXIDE ACIDS

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), found in forms such as glycolic and lactic acids, help chemically exfoliate the surface of the skin and help remove dead skin cells that clog pores.

4. SULFUR

Often found in spot treatments and leave-on formulas, sulfur can help reduce bacteria on the surface of the skin, unclog pores, and get rid of excess sebum.

Whichever acne product you choose, there are a few things to keep in mind. Acne treatments can be incredibly drying and dehydrating to skin if used too often, so it's important to remember to moisturize. Another important skincare step to keep in mind is applying a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily. Many acne treatments can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so be sure to wear SPF sunscreen and reapply often! Last but not least, use the acne-fighting formulas as directed on the package. You may think you'll get rid of your pimples and blemishes faster by using the formula more often, but in fact, you can create a disaster recipe - read: redness, dryness, irritation - instead.

Note. If you have severe acne, you can seek the help of a specialist. A dermatologist may recommend prescription treatments that can help relieve acne symptoms.