Everything you need to know about acne

The spot is the tip of the iceberg!

There are four phases in the formation of an acne blemish: overproduction of sebum, skin thickening, the formation of blackheads and comedones and, finally, the inflammation. What triggers acne? Especially when they are misused by skin enzymes (such as during puberty and times of stress), hormones stimulate sebum secretion and make the skin oilier. The top layer of skin thickens due to the increase in free fatty acids and becomes sticky. The pilosebaceous follicles (sacs located at the level of the skin) fill with cells and sebum which turn black on contact with the air: these are blackheads.

C. Acnes bacteria then cause inflammation in these areas, leading to the formation of pimples, pustules (whiteheads), as well as cysts and nodules.
Learn more about the causes of acne

Whiteheads: everything you need to know about facial microcysts

Facial micro-cysts are also called closed comedones. They mainly develop on the cheeks, forehead, chin and around the lips. What's that little whitish ball you can feel under your skin? It's a sign of excess sebum secretion. The starting point for its formation is the pilosebaceous follicles, which are partly composed of sebaceous glands. When the concentration of sebum is at its highest and the stratum corneum becomes thick, the small cluster under the skin implodes. At this stage, the pimple either disappears spontaneously or becomes inflamed when excess sebum increases the secretion of Cutibacterium Acnes bacteria. In case of redness, pustules and abscesses appear. There's a lot going on underneath acne-prone skin..

FRIENDLY (AND EXPERT) ADVICE

Care and hygiene are your friends!

A few good habits to combat imperfections.

Cleanse your skin twice a day and remove your make-up every night.

Shelve all your harsh cleansing products! Harsh products stimulate sebum secretion, encouraging and aggravating the appearance of acne. Opt instead for more suitable gentle cleansing gels.

Avoid picking at your blemishes. This will limit the risk of a pimple forming, or a bacterial secondary infection if you already have a pimple. Don't squeeze your spots, either: impurities may penetrate deeper into your skin and scars may appear.

Know the right and wrong things to do

The right care for acne-prone skin

Skin renewal is essential in protecting against scarring. A good skincare routine is the best way to boost this natural process. Apply an absorbing and exfoliating mask once or twice a week: these products contain moisturizing agents that soothe and purify the skin and encourage cell renewal. Masks also limit sebum build-up and shine. If your skin is fragilized, use a thermal spring water compress.