Are you doing these things and making your acne worse?
If you suffer from acne, you've probably received a ton of advice from friends and family.
The internet is filled with so much information - and misinformation that it can get really overwhelming.
So today, we're going to debunk those myths and set you on the right path to obtaining clear, acne-free skin.
Washing your face more than twice a day
Dirt does not cause acne. Not at all.
In fact, having skin that's too clean, worsens acne. By over-washing and over-exfoliating our skin, we destroy the natural pH balance and moisture levels of our skin. This causes irritation and potential damage to our skin.
It is bacteria (p. acnes) that causes acne. This bacteria feeds on the excess oil and dead skin cells inside our pores. That's why sebum regulation plays such an important role in acne prevention.
Sunbathing your face
I'm sorry to break the bad news. Unfortunately, the sun is your skin's worst enemy.
Exposing your zits to the all-powerful sunlight may feel like it’s drying up your pimples but it really isn't. The science just doesn't work that way.
Not only does the heat from the sun inflame your skin, the sun's UV rays cause further damage by releasing free radicals that destroy the cellular DNA of your skin. What this means, is that you will end up with wrinkly and saggy skin addition to the acne.
In fact, those of us who are using acne remedies such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are even more prone to sun damage. This is because these chemical ingredients cause sun sensitivity. So wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen and protect your skin.
Popping that pimple
Yes we know it feels good and we are all guilty of it. Truth be told, there are very few things in life that are as satisfying as watching the gunk ooze out of your nasty zit.
But hold it right there.
As tempting as it may be, squeezing a blemish drives the p. acnes bacteria deeper into your pores. It will not help. And it will also exponentially increase the chances of scarring.
So never, never, NEVER, pick at a pimple. Just don't do it. Smack on some concealer and walk away. Your future face will thank you.
So what should you do about those annoying zits?
In order to answer this question, you need to know how acne is formed.
Acne always seems to appear out of nowhere. But in reality, they form in stages and this process takes weeks:
Stage 1: Dead skin cells get trapped inside our pores and form clogs.
Stage 2: Our skin produces too much oil (sebum).
Stage 3: p. acnes bacteria resting on our skin feeds on the sebum and dead skin cells.
Stage 4: The p. acnes bacteria grows and causes inflammation. The little red bumps you see are a result of this inflammation.
Some irritants like Demodex folliculorum (a mite that lives in hair follicles) is also responsible for some types of acne. It is commonly found in our face, chest, and back.
As you can see, it takes a while for that pimple to form. But that also means good news for us!
By addressing the problem before it starts, and stopping p. acnes bacteria and Demodex in their tracks, we can break their vicious cycle. This is why Lumina was developed.