Everything you need to know about acne.

According to the S.F.D. (French Society of Dermatology), 15 million people in France are affected by acne problems, of which 3.3 million are aged over 15 years old.

The primary reason for consultation with a dermatologist, acne can lead to a lack of self-confidence and genuine psychological distress.

Acne affects on average 80 to 90% of teenagers during puberty. The main cause of acne is the onset of puberty. During this period, sexual hormones increase in both females and males. This hormonal change is the root cause of excessive sebum production.

Adults can also be affected by late-onset acne. This is the same skin condition, creating visible blemishes on the skin, generally less severe and more localised on the lower part of the face.

In women, the progesterones produced each month by the ovaries prior to the onset of menstruation also influence the activity of the sebaceous glands. The use of contraceptive pills in women can additionally exacerbate or reduce acne, depending on its composition.

Note : Acne is also a matter of heredity. Some individuals, whose parents or grandparents suffered from acne, are more likely to have skin that is reactive and sensitive to hormonal changes.

This chronic inflammatory disease develops at the level of the pilosebaceous follicles: the sebaceous glands secrete sebum that is either too thick or in excess, which blocks the pores and results in the formation of spots and/or blackheads. This condition is then referred to as dysseborrhea.

Furthermore, in this fat-rich environment, a bacterium usually present in small quantities on the skin, Propionibacterium acnes, proliferates, which triggers an inflammatory response on the skin's surface. When the lesions are deeper, we refer to them as nodules or cysts.

Acne is often exacerbated by several factors such as diet, hormonal fluctuations, and pollution. Stress is also a factor linked to acne because the presence of certain active nerve cells near the sebaceous glands affect sebum production. Moreover, certain cosmetic products referred to as "comedogenic" contribute to clogging the skin's pores, thus promoting the appearance of spots.

We first advise you to consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis of your type of acne, who will assist you in treating it. Then, to prevent or limit the appearance of skin irregularities due to acne, here are the essential steps to follow during your beauty routine:

• Removing makeup before going to bed.

  It is advised against using harsh or irritating products, but rather to remove your makeup with gentle products. For instance, consider our cleansing balm with camellia oil that has a transformative texture - balm to oil to milk. This product gently cleanses the face and eyes. The skin is left feeling supple, soft and comfortable.

• Cleanse your skin 1 to 2 times a day with a gentle cleanser.

  To cleanse your skin, use the exfoliating cleansing gel with PHA. Then apply our purifying toner to rebalance the skin's pH. Concentrated in salicylic acid , known for its antibacterial properties, this lotion also limits the growth of microorganisms involved in the development of spots.

• Apply targeted treatments.

  Certain molecules, such as salicylic acid, are recognised as effective in soothing and reducing acne spots. After cleansing the skin, you can therefore use the local imperfections serum rich in salicylic acid and zinc. This is applied in small amounts only to the affected areas in the evening to dry out the spots. Over the entire face, finish your routine by applying our purifying face cream with zinc and bamboo extract.

• Protecting oneself from UV rays with a sunscreen that is non-comedogenic.

  In all instances, we strongly advise against prolonged exposure to the sun. The sun's rays dry out the skin and cause it to sweat, which stimulates the sebaceous glands. These glands then produce more sebum, leading to an increase in spots. If you do expose yourself to the sun, we recommend using a sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type and has a high SPF.

• Use shaving and after-shave care products that are alcohol-free.

• Hydrate your skin.

  Contrary to popular belief, even if you have oily skin, do not neglect the daily hydration of your skin. Apply a light-textured cream like our moisturising cream with 9 ingredients morning and evening.

Furthermore, on a daily basis, certain simple actions are recommended to limit acne flare-ups:

• Regularly clean cosmetic brushes or applicators.

• Avoid touching your face. One should not handle their spots to prevent superinfections and scarring.

• Wear loose clothing to avoid friction.

• Adopt a balanced diet and engage in physical activity.

There are effective ingredients and active substances for treating acne before, during or after its onset, here are a few examples:

• Thesalicylic acid is an antiseptic and exfoliating agent that helps the skin to purify itself.

• The zinc has an anti-inflammatory and healing action that acts on lesions.

• The bakuchiol targets the bacteria that resides in the sebum (Propionibacterium acnes) and limits the production of pro-inflammatory molecules.

• Theazelaic acid, of plant origin, is known for its anti-comedogenic and anti-bacterial effects.

• The essential oils oftea tree, from lavender, from rose geranium and from peppermint are also used against skin imperfections.

We advise you to avoid cosmetic products that contain sulfate, as they destroy the skin's hydrolipidic film. To best avoid these harmful ingredients, we recommend you to opt for natural cosmetics and to carefully check the list of ingredients. Discover our blacklist of ingredients.

• ZOUBOULIS C. C. Acne and sebaceous gland function. Clinics in Dermatology (2004).