Why do we breakout?

Why do we breakout?
Pimples, blemishes, zits - whatever you call them, they’re no stranger to any of us. Yep, no matter what skin type or tone you have from oily to dry, we’ve all have breakouts in common. But do we really know why? In honor of our all-new Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel, we’re talking the science behind acne and breakouts, with the help of our Technical Education Manager, Susanna Saiu.
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Skin structure and acne.



Our skin has pores that connect the oil glands to hair follicles under the skin surface. These sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum to stop skin and hair from drying out. Great for skin, however if they produce too much oil (triggered by say, hot weather or hormones) this can mix with dead skin cells to form a plug in the hair follicle, and you see where this is going… 



Ance appears when these plugs create an anaerobic environment within the pore, producing a bacterial overgrowth. Bacteria can be harmless and even good, but given the right conditions, bad bacteria can contaminate and infect the plugged hair follicles, creating inflammation and swelling, leading to blemishes. 


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Get to know your acne. 



That said - not all breakouts are created equal. If a blocked follicle is close to the skin surface, it usually swells toward the surface creating a whitehead. If it grows towards the inside of the skin, it can create a cyst and if the blockage is on the opening of the pore - this usually creates a blackhead. Here’s how you can help banish these three types of blemishes.





Blackheads. Small black or yellowish bumps usually on nose and cheeks. They’re not actually filled with dirt - the darkness is caused by pigmentation. Using Ready Steady Glow around these areas will help cleanse pores from within, while our acne treatment will help dissolve the blockage.





Whiteheads. Firmer pimples that are risen and sometimes yellow. Don’t pop ‘em, please. Apply Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel directly on the spot to dissolve the pore-clogging debris. 





Cysts. Under the skin, large and swollen - the ones you can feel coming. Apply our acne gel as soon as you feel the swell, and top up a couple of times daily to stop the blemish from surfacing, and minimize any chance of scarring.


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Why am I breaking out?



From diet to stress, there's a range of triggers that cause skin to breakout. The most prominent = hormones. Androgens specifically, cause the oil-producing glands next to our hair follicles to produce more oil, thicken the lining of the hair follicle and increase cell renewal - which is exactly what causes acne to form.  



It’s no secret - hormones fluctuate during teenage years, but adult acne can appear at any time and sad news girls - it’s particularly common in women, 80% in fact. Pregnancy, periods, and menopause (we’re sure you know) cause larger fluctuations in hormones which can lead to more breakouts. The last thing you need on top of all that emotion is a breakout. But here we are…


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Break out of your breakout.



A consistent routine designed for you skin-type is the best way to help minimize breakouts. We’ve developed ours with gentle clay, sulphur and natural acids so they’re not stripping at all. Gentle enough for daily use if you deal with acne more regularly or great to add in when you feel like a breakout might pop-up. 



Cleanse with Clarifying Clay Cleanser. 

With Kaolin Clay to detoxify plus Willow Bark and Mayblossom to keep blemishes at bay, you can use this during a breakout. Or if you just want to reduce oil and minimize the chances of a flareup, opt for T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel with the same Willow Bark and Mayblossom, but without the slightly drying effect of clay.



Tone with Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic.

With another shot of Willow Bark, this clean beauty toner visibly decongests oilier skin while evening the look of skin texture. Don’t use it on broken skin - as you’ll feel quite the sting.



Target active spots with Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel

Tap our acne gel onto your blemishes or massage onto a breakout-prone area to minimize the appearance of redness and help clear skin. Let it dry before moving onto your moisturizer. If you're short on time you can press on your moisturizer to minimize displacing your spot treatment. 



Hydrate with Replenishing Gel Cream.

Soothe spots while hydrating your skin. Our gel cream is lightweight and soothing to reduce the discomfort that comes with breakouts. It uses seaweed and licorice extract to reduce irritation, while adding in moisture for more balanced skin.