Understanding Acne
Ah, the bane of our teenage years—acne. Most of us would have tried many home remedies or prescribed medicine to deal with acne. Not only does it affect how your skin looks, but it can also cause self-esteem issues. However, you’re not alone in the battle against acne. Acne is the most common skin condition that people experience. Around 80% of people between the age of 11 to 30 will at least go through some form of acne.1
Acne happens when your pores are blocked by hair, sebum, bacteria, or dead skin cells. And when the pores are blocked, they become inflamed, creating blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of pimples. Acne usually pops up on our face, back, chest, and shoulders because these areas of skin have the most oil glands when compared to the rest of our bodies.
The types of Acne
To treat your acne, it’s important to understand the different forms of it.
- Blackheads: Open bumps that are clogged with keratin, sebum, and dead skin. The clogged pore is exposed to air, causing it to oxidise and turn black.
- Cysts: The most serious and painful type of acne that can develop deep underneath the skin.
- Fungal acne: These small pimples can be itchy and inflamed. They’re usually caused by an excess of yeast that develops in the hair follicles.
- Nodules: Abnormal tissue that develops below the skin which can be large and painful.
- Papules: A small red bump that does not have a yellow or white center of pus.
- Pustules: A papule that has accumulated pus—they look like whiteheads but have red rings around them.
- Whiteheads: Bumps that have dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria trapped inside.
What causes acne?
Acne can be caused by active hormone levels, which usually occur during the teenage and adult years. When combined with bacteria and fatty acids within the oil glands, you might see acne forming.
There are a couple of things that could contribute to acne, including fluctuating hormone levels, poor air quality, high humidity, oily or sweaty clothing, greasy skincare products, picking at acne, higher levels of stress, diet, and genetics.
Ways to prevent Acne
Keeping a skincare routine
The key to getting healthy skin is to understand your skin type. Figuring out your skincare routine can help remove excess oil and keep your pores clear from blockage. Finding the right products that suit your skin and maintaining a balanced skin can prevent blockage in your pores and acne from forming.
Taking care of your hygiene
Making sure your skin is clean is an important step in preventing acne. Removing excess oil, sebum and dead skin cells can greatly reduce the chances of acne developing. Even when you’re exercising, it’s important to constantly towel off your sweat so that the oils and toxins excreted through your skin don't clog up your pores.
Eating a clean and nutritious diet
What you eat could show up on your skin. Eating oily food can cause excess oil to be created by your oil glands. Consuming sugary foods quickly raises your blood sugar leading to the production of excess oil as well. Some foods can also contribute to inflammation. Hence, you’d have to take a closer look at your diet to lower your risks of acne.
Eating complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can reduce your chances of developing acne. Foods that are rich in zinc, vitamin A and E, and antioxidants are highly beneficial for your skin.
Stay hydrated
Hydration is crucial to keeping your skin healthy. Without water, your body will not be able to flush out toxins and your skin, which acts as a protective barrier, is susceptible to damage. Your organs also need water to function properly. If you’re dehydrated, your skin might become oilier as your oil glands are secreting oil to make up for the dryness.
On top of a skincare routine, balanced diet, and staying hydrated, drinking hydrogen water can also help you achieve clear and glowing skin. Hydrogen water has a few benefits, including:
- Anti-inflammatory which can reduce inflammation (common in acne)
- Antioxidant effects that can reduce UA-induced damage
- Protecting your skin against UV-induced skin-cell damage
- Significantly improving wrinkles
- Promote collagen synthesis for healthier and bouncier skin
Hydrogen water can also help prevent major health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, joint pain, and heart diseases.
Find out more about Hi-Bliss, a hydrogen water machine that can help you achieve clear skin and stay healthy at the same time!
1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12233-acne
