What causes acne? The causes behind pimples and how you can treat them

What causes acne? Acne occurs when the pores in the skin are blocked by sebum, dead skin cells, and sometimes bacteria. Common causes include hormonal changes, genetic factors, and lifestyle. In this text, we will explore these factors in more detail and provide tips on how to treat and prevent acne. To effectively combat acne, you can also take a look at our range of products against acne that are specially designed to help you achieve cleaner and healthier skin.

Key takeaways

• Acne is caused by inflammation and clogged pores, often related to hormonal changes, genetics, and overproduction of sebum.
• Treatment of acne includes the use of over-the-counter medications and a regular skincare routine to keep the skin healthy and clean.
• Preventive measures such as avoiding greasy products, maintaining a healthy diet, and managing stress are important to reduce the risk of acne outbreaks.

What is acne?

Acne is defined as a skin condition characterized by inflammation and clogged pores. It is a common condition that can affect both teenagers and adults, and it can vary in severity from mild acne to more severe conditions that require medical treatment.

Inflammation and clogged pores are two of the main causes of acne. When the sebaceous glands in the skin produce too much oil (sebum), the pores can be blocked by both the oil and dead skin cells. This creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow, leading to inflammation and the formation of pimples and blackheads. To counteract clogged pores, you can explore our range of products that are specially designed to clean and care for the skin.

Several factors can trigger acne, including:

• hormonal changes
• diet
• stress
• genetics

Hormonal changes during the teenage years, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy can particularly affect sebum production and thus increase the risk of acne. Genetics also plays a major role; if your parents have had acne, it is more likely that you will also get it.

Common causes of acne

Acne can be caused by a variety of factors, and it is important to understand these in order to effectively manage and prevent outbreaks. Common causes include:

• hormonal changes
• genetic factors
• excess sebum production
• dead skin cells
• bacteria
• diet and lifestyle

By identifying and addressing these factors, one can better control acne outbreaks.

Each of these factors can affect your skin in different ways, and understanding them can help you identify what is causing your specific acne problems. In the following subsections, we will dive deeper into each cause and explain how they contribute to acne development.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes are one of the most common causes of acne. During the teenage years, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy, hormone levels can change dramatically, leading to increased sebum production. This overproduction of sebum can block pores and create an environment where bacteria can thrive, leading to inflammatory acne.

Androgens, a type of hormone, are particularly known for increasing sebum production. When these hormones are imbalanced, they can cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum than usual, which in turn can block hair follicles and cause acne.

Hormonal imbalances can therefore play a major role in the development of acne throughout life. life.

Genetic Factors

Genetics play a significant role in the risk of developing acne. If your parents have had acne, it is very likely that you will also get it.

Genetic predispositions mean that some individuals are more prone to developing acne due to hereditary factors that affect sebum production and the skin's tendency to become inflamed.

Excess Sebum Production

Excess sebum production is another common cause of acne. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin to keep it moisturized. However, when sebum production is too high, pores can become blocked, creating an environment that promotes bacterial growth and inflammation.

When sebum and dead skin cells block the pores, comedones can form. Comedones are small plugs that can be either white (whiteheads) or black (blackheads) depending on whether the pores are open or closed. These blockages can lead to inflammatory breakouts and acne.

Dead Skin Cells

Dead skin cells play a major role in the development of acne. When these cells are not properly removed from the skin's surface, they can mix with sebum and block the pores. This leads to the formation of comedones, which can be both white and blackheads depending on whether the pores are open or closed.

Bacteria

Bacteria, especially Propionibacterium acnes, play a crucial role in the development of acne. These bacteria thrive in the oxygen-poor environments that form when pores are clogged with sebum and dead skin cells.

When the bacteria infect these clogged pores, they worsen the inflammation and contribute to the formation of inflamed pimples and cysts.

Diet and Lifestyle

Diet and lifestyle can also have a significant impact on your skin health. Research has shown that overconsumption of sugar and dairy products can worsen acne. Foods with high sugar content can increase insulin production, which in turn can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil.

Stress is another lifestyle factor that can negatively affect acne. When you are stressed, the body can produce more cortisol, a hormone that can increase sebum production and thereby worsen acne. Maintaining a balanced diet and managing stress can therefore be important steps in preventing and treating acne.

Different Types of Acne

Acne comes in many different forms, each with its specific characteristics and causes. Understanding the different types of acne can help you choose the right treatment and preventive measures.

The most common types of acne include comedones, papulopustular acne, and nodulocystic acne. Each of these types has its unique characteristics and requires different treatment methods.

Papulopustular Acne

Papulopustular acne is characterized by inflamed breakouts such as papules and pustules. Papules are small, raised red bumps that are often tender, while pustules are filled with pus and have a yellowish or white top.

These breakouts occur when pores become clogged and bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes infect the skin, leading to inflammation and swollen areas. Excess sebum production, dead skin cells, inflamed sebaceous glands, and bacterial infections are some of the key causes of these inflammatory breakouts.

Comedones

Comedones are a type of non-inflammatory skin lesion that occurs when pores are blocked by sebum and dead skin cells. They can be either white (whiteheads) or black (blackheads) depending on whether the pores are open or closed.

Accumulated dead skin cells can cause blockage of the pores and thereby create pimples.

Severe acne

Nodulocystic acne, also known as severe acne, is the most serious variant and is characterized by deep inflamed nodules and cysts. These deep boils can be very painful and often lead to scarring. Nodulocystic acne usually requires professional medical treatment, as it can be difficult to treat with regular over-the-counter medications.

This type of acne can lead to serious skin damage and long-term scars if not treated properly. It is therefore important to seek help from a dermatologist if you suffer from severe acne, to get the right treatment and minimize the risk of permanent scarring.

Treatment of acne

Treatment of acne is an important part of managing and reducing outbreaks. There are many different methods for treating acne, ranging from over-the-counter medications to medical treatments and skincare routines. Acne treatment can lead to gradual improvements in the skin, reducing both acne and excess oil.

Regular washing of the face with mild products can help keep the skin healthy and free from excess sebum, which is important for the sebaceous glands in the skin. Acne scars can remain for a long time and often become more pronounced if exposed to the sun, so it is important to protect the skin from UV damage and get help with treating them.

Treatment and prevention of acne are therefore important aspects to discuss. A good start is to choose the right facial cleanser that suits your skin type – you can find our range of effective and gentle products in our category for facial cleansing.

Over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter medications can be very effective for treating mild to moderate acne. These medications often contain active ingredients that help clean the pores, reduce inflammation, and kill bacteria. Salicylic acid is a common ingredient that helps exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. Benzoyl peroxide is another active ingredient used to kill bacteria and reduce irritation.

Other effective ingredients include azelaic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce redness and impurities, and retinol, which accelerates cell renewal and reduces sebum production. Niacinamide helps to even out skin tone and reduce irritation. Explore our range of salicylic acid, azelaic acid or niacinamide!

Skincare routines

A regular skincare routine is crucial for preventing and treating acne. It is recommended to wash the face once or twice a day with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to remove excess oil and dead skin cells. Exfoliants with BHA, such as salicylic acid, are important for keeping the pores clean and preventing acne.

Another important part of the skincare routine is to use soothing toners that can restore the pH balance and prepare the skin for subsequent products. Ingredients like centella asiatica are known for their healing properties and can soothe irritated skin. Regular use of exfoliants and toners can therefore be effective in keeping the skin healthy and free from acne.

Preventive measures

Acne cannot be completely prevented because factors such as hormones, skin type, and heredity affect its development. However, there are several preventive measures that can help reduce the risk of outbreaks and keep the skin healthy. It is important to protect acne-prone skin from UV damage through regular use of sunscreen.

The following subsections will discuss specific preventive measures such as avoiding greasy products, cleansing, and a healthy diet.

Avoid greasy products

Greasy creams and oils should be avoided as they can clog the sebaceous glands and worsen acne. Although makeup itself does not cause acne, oil-based products can irritate the skin and contribute to breakouts.

Skincare and cosmetic products can clog pores and lead to acne, so it is important to choose non-comedogenic products that do not block pores.

Cleansing

Regular cleansing is essential for preventing acne. It is good to wash your face once or twice daily. Use a mild cleanser to remove excess oil and dead skin cells. Mild cleansing helps keep the skin clean without irritating it, which is important for preventing acne breakouts.

Healthy diet

A healthy diet can have a positive impact on your skin. Research has shown that high sugar content and consumption of dairy products can worsen acne. Stress is another lifestyle factor that can negatively affect acne, so it is important to manage stress through healthy lifestyle habits.

By maintaining a balanced diet and managing stress, you can reduce the risk of acne breakouts.

Korean skincare products for acne-prone skin

Korean skincare products are known for their effective ingredients and multi-step skincare routines. These products can be particularly useful for people with acne-prone skin, as they often contain ingredients that help reduce inflammation and balance sebum production.

Building a Korean skincare routine can therefore be an effective strategy for managing acne. In the following subsections, we will discuss which ingredients to look for, recommended product types, and how to build a Korean skincare routine.

Ingredients to look for

Effective ingredients in Korean skincare products for acne include:

• Salicylic acid, which helps exfoliate the skin and dissolve clogged pores
• Tea tree-oil, which has antibacterial properties and can reduce inflammation caused by acne
• Niacinamide, which can help even out skin tone and reduce the visibility of pores
• Centella asiatica, which is known for its soothing and repairing properties

These ingredients can together contribute to cleaner and more balanced skin.

Niacinamide and centella asiatica are also popular ingredients that help soothe the skin and reduce irritation.

Recommended product types

Recommended product types for acne-prone skin include:

• Mild cleansers, which are ideal for not drying out the skin
• Exfoliants, which help remove dead skin cells
• Soothing toners, which can balance the skin's pH level
• Serums, which provide extra nourishment and treatment
• Moisturizers, which should be non-comedogenic to avoid blocking pores

By using these products, you can help improve your skin's condition.

Build a Korean skincare routine

A typical Korean skincare routine consists of several steps, including:

• Cleansing
• Exfoliating
• Toning
• Treatment
• Moisturizing

Double cleansing is a central part of Korean skincare, where an oil-based cleanser is first used followed by a water-based one. Regular use of toner with soothing ingredients can help reduce inflammation and redness.

Using products with a lighter consistency first and heavier products last is a key strategy. By building a Korean skincare routine, you can reduce inflammation, balance sebum production, and reduce the risk of new outbreaks.

Summary

In summary, acne is a complex skin condition that can be influenced by many different factors, including hormonal changes, genetic factors, excess sebum production, dead skin cells, bacteria, and diet and lifestyle. To effectively treat and prevent acne, it is important to understand these causes and adapt your skincare routine accordingly.

Treating acne may involve using over-the-counter medications containing effective ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, as well as a regular skincare routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, and using soothing toners. Korean skincare products also offer a wide range of options for managing acne-prone skin, with multiple steps and specific ingredients that can help reduce inflammation and balance sebum production.

By understanding and treating acne in the right way, you can improve your skin health and achieve a healthier, more radiant appearance. Take control of your skincare and give your skin the care it deserves. Don't let acne stop you from feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common causes of acne?

The most common causes of acne are hormonal changes, genetic factors, overproduction of sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, as well as diet and lifestyle. Understanding these factors is crucial for effectively managing and preventing acne.

How can I treat mild acne?

Mild acne can be effectively treated with over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, along with a consistent skincare routine. It is important to be diligent and follow these recommendations for the best results.

Which Korean skincare products are best for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Korean skincare products with salicylic acid, tea tree-oil, niacinamide, and centella asiatica are the most effective. Opt for mild cleansers, exfoliants, soothing toners, serums, and moisturizers for the best results.

How can I prevent acne breakouts?

To effectively prevent acne breakouts, you should avoid greasy products, maintain a regular cleansing routine, and eat a healthy diet. Stress management is also crucial.

Is it possible to completely get rid of acne?

It is not possible to completely get rid of acne, but with the right treatment and preventive measures, you can reduce breakouts and improve skin health.