More information on Acne

Acne affects up to 80% of teenagers and young adults and up to 20% of older adults.

Acne is caused by an excessive production of sebum and skin cells, by overactive sebaceous glands. Sebum is a wax that keeps the skin waterproof. It is produced by the sebaceous glands, which are attached to the hair follicles in our skin. Sebum travels from the sebaceous glands up to the surface of the skin via our skin pores.

For reasons not yet completely understood, acne prone skins produce too many skin cells. These extra skin cells mix with sebum and block up the pores in our skin. Because sebum is still being produced, it builds up behind the blockage. This causes swelling, which can then burst out into the surrounding layers of skin. This causes inflammation - pain, redness, and swelling. 

Acne causes different types of sores and blemishes in the skin. Acne sufferers may have one or more of the following:

• Blackheads - these are a collection of dead cells and sebum blocking the pore (the blackness is not dirt, but oxidized sebum).
• Whiteheads - sebum is building up behind the blockage causing a lump, which is covered by a thin layer of skin. The sebum stays white as it has had no contact with air.
• Papules - the sebum has broken out into the layers beneath the surface of the skin and caused inflammation, so it appears as painful reddish lumps.
• Pustules - the inflammation has turned into pus and broken through the skin to form the classic yellow 'pimple'.
• Cysts & Nodules - these are painful lumps caused by inflammation in the skin.
• Open Sores - usually pimples that have been scratched or picked.
• Scars - skin depressions, sometimes darkened, left after large pustules (sometimes even small pimples) have healed.

Red and Brown marks are common after breakouts have healed, particularly in darker skins.
The sebaceous glands are controlled by our sex hormones. The oestrogens (female sex hormones) suppress the sebaceous glands, whereas the androgens (male sex hormones) stimulate them. Males and females have both types of sex hormones.

During our teen years the levels of sex hormones rise rapidly, this is the reason why acne is more common in teenagers. Acne tends to be worse in young males but can be more persistent in adult females.

Adult acne can be caused by a hormonal imbalance in females, and it is important to have this investigated by your doctor, particularly if you have other symptoms of a hormonal imbalance such as irregular periods and/or excess body hair.

Acne can also be caused by taking extra hormones, in the form of anabolic steroids, corticosteroid medication and some hormone treatments.

Acne is best treated by controlling its causes, excessive sebum and skin cell production, and overactive sebaceous glands.

Mild acne is best treated with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) such as glycolic and salicyic acids, to control excessive sebum and exfoliating treatments to remove excessive skin cells and stop them blocking the skin pores. Clearskincare uses glycolic acid in our Gel Cleanser and Smooth Skin 8%. We recommend adding our 2% Salicylic Toner if your skin is very oily.

The Clearskincare Gel Cleanser cleanses all skin types removing excess oil, skin cells and make up, opening blocked pores leaving your skin feeling crisp, clean, clear & fresh.

The Clearskicare Smooth Skin 8% a fantastic all round AHA that gives your skin a real 'zing' and leaves it looking and feeling smoother, brighter, firmer & evenly toned.

The Clearskincare Sunscreen SPF30+ oil free can be used as a moisturiser combining high level sun protection (SPF30+) in a moisturising base suitable for all skin types.

The Clearskicare Microdermabrasion Cream with Glycolic Acid uses an 8% glycolic base plus clinical strength aluminium oxide crystals to clear away excess skin cells & unclog your pores leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother.

The Clearskincare Salicylic 8% MiniPeel is a brilliant weekly exfoliation to reduces the appearance of post breakout marks, and enlarged pores.

The Clearskincare Easy Squeeze is a compact, simple, no fuss, blackhead & pimple extractor.

The Clearskincare 2% Salicylic Toner helps to break the acne cycle by dissolving excess oil and opening blocked pores leaving your skin feeling crisp, clean, clear & fresh.

The Clearskincare BP cream helps to control pimples, breakouts and acne and leave the skin feeling fresh, clean and clear.

Click on the following links to purchase your Clearskincare Acne Solution or Clearskincare Teen Acne Solution or Clearskincare Gel Cleanser or Clearskicare Smooth Skin 8% or Clearskicare Sunscreen SPF30+ oil free or Clearskicare Microdermabrasion Cream with Glycolic Acid or Easy Squeeze or Clearskincare 2% Salicylic Toner or Clearskincare BP cream or Clearskincare Salicylic 8% Minipeel.