What are the causes of acne and what can I do to reduce acne ?

July 06, 2017

What is blemish-prone and acne?

Blemish-prone skin is skin that has a propensity to develop comedones and pimples. It is often oily and appears shiny. This is because the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than in other skin types. 
Acne (full name, Acne Vulgaris) is a non-contagious skin condition characterized by pimples caused by inflamed and infected sebaceous glands. The disease is most common in adolescents, but symptoms can persist into adulthood and some people, especially women, experience symptoms for the first time after the age of 25.

What causes and triggers blemishes on skin?

There are several myths surrounding acne - for example, that people with blemishes are less hygienic than others. Here are the key factors that medical professionals know are likely to make some people more prone to acne than others:
Genetics
Genes determine our skin type and some of us have skin that is more reactive and prone to inflammation, blemishes and acne than others. If both your parents had acne there is a higher chance that you will develop the condition.
Hormones
Acne is a hormonal disease. Hormones are responsible for the development of the sebaceous glands and they also stimulate sebum production in those sebaceous glands (an overproduction of sebum is one of the symptoms that defines blemish-prone skin).
Diet
There is some evidence of correlation between diet and acne. A diet with a high glycemic index and lots of dairy products may trigger or exacerbate acne.
Stress
Stress can trigger hormones which in turn stimulate sebum production and exacerbate acne

Smoking

Research indicates that smoking exacerbates acne by causing oxidative stress to skin and altering sebum composition.

Inappropriate skincare

Harsh, soap-based cleansers and water that is too hot can disrupt skin’s natural balance and exacerbate symptoms. Some skincare products and make-up are also comedogenic.

 

How do blemishes and acne develop?

 Acne is an inflammatory disease and inflammation is present at every stage of its development. As we know, our genetics and hormones make some of us more prone to inflammation than others. Micro-inflammation (non-visible inflammation) is a root cause of acne and can be triggered by many different factors including changes in hormones, bacteria and changes in the composition of sebum on the surface of skin.

 

What can I do to help reduce blemishes and care for my skin?

Blemished skin benefits from special care:

A thorough skincare routine

Cleanse your skin twice a day and care for it using products that have been specially formulated to suit your skin’s needs such as those in the Dr Belmeur The Face Shop range.