How to improve your skin: preventing and treating acne and breakouts
When we think of all the perfect ways a morning might start – time to sleep in (or to wake up early and go for a walk before the chaos starts), a great cup of coffee, delicious breakfast – rarely, if ever, are we adding ‘a brand new pimple on the face’ to the list. Of course, how we feel is more important than how we look, but having to deal with a pimple (or several) can affect both.
While you might not like the look of acne and pimples on your skin, they can also be quite painful if persistent (or particularly inflamed) and can affect our self-esteem.
Most of us have suffered from pimples or spots at some point, so here’s how to avoid a breakout leading to a breakdown.
What is the difference between a pimple and acne?
Acne is a broader skin condition that includes various types of blemishes, including pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. Acne comes from clogged pores due to excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria (either from lifestyle habits, or genetic conditions and medications), leading to inflammation and breakouts.
A pimple is a specific type of acne lesion – a small, inflamed bump on the skin often filled with pus.
The easiest way to think about it is that pimples are a sign of the condition, whereas acne is the condition itself.
What causes acne?
Acne happens when hair follicles under your skin get clogged up with dead skin cells and oil, leading to pimples or nodules. When bacteria get trapped in those blocked pores, it can cause inflammation and redness.
"Acne doesn’t have just one cause; it’s usually a mix of things that can influence how severe or prevalent it is," explains hub.health’s Dr Cedric Ng Liet Hing.
"We can generally break these down into a few categories: hormones, genetics, lifestyle choices like diet, stress, and skincare products, and your medical history, including any conditions or medications."
Hormonal causes
“Hormonal fluctuations at different life stages can lead to a worsening of your acne during that time period, or a particularly stressful time in your life may also lead to a flare up,” says Dr Cedric.
For example, when you reach puberty, your body starts making more hormones. These hormones make the oil glands in the of your skin of the face, neck, back, shoulders and chest grow bigger, which can lead to a breakout.
"People who were assigned female at birth often experience acne earlier than males, and it can flare up during times when your hormones fluctuate, like during your menstrual cycle or pregnancy. During these periods, your body may increase oil and sebum production, which can make chin acne, in particular, worse," explains Dr Cedric.
There is no specific skincare routine aimed at preventing acne, a holistic skin care regimen is needed to optimise your overall skin health.
Genetics and acne
Genetics, something we have no control over, is one of the main factors that play into your skin's health.
To find out if you’re genetically prone to acne, you can check your family history. If close relatives, such as parents or siblings, have had acne, it's likely that you might share a genetic tendency.
Consulting a dermatologist can also help. They can review your medical history and conduct a thorough examination.
How does lifestyle and diet contribute to acne?
Aside from what’s happening inside your body, your lifestyle, environment and health habits may also contribute to acne.“A poor diet, increased stress and lack of sleep all contribute to the development of acne,” says Dr Cedric.”
While there is no strong evidence to show that specific foods cause acne, we all can react to certain foods due to intolerances in different ways, and that includes how it shows up on our skin. However, some research has shown that foods high in processed sugar and some high glycaemic index (high-GI) foods could trigger acne in some adults.
As a general rule, a balanced diet rich in nutrients and including whole fruit, vegetables, protein and grains can improve your overall health and wellbeing, which can help with clearer skin.
What’s a good skin care routine to reduce the risk of acne?
“There is no specific skincare routine aimed at preventing acne, a holistic skin care regimen is needed to optimise your overall skin health,” Dr Cedric advises.
Here are Dr Cedric’s tips for a healthy skin care routine:
Avoid comedogenic products such as heavy makeup products or rich creams which can lead to clogged pores and worsen your acne.
Avoid harsh alcohol-based products which can strip out the natural oils on the skin and synthetic fragrances which can cause irritation and inflammation.
Try to avoid putting oily products on skin that's prone to acne. It’s a fine balance; you don’t want to over-cleanse or intentionally dry out your skin. It can actually make your skin produce more oil.
Wash acne-prone areas twice a day with a cleanser made for acne.
Don't squeeze or pick at pimples.
Dispose of out-of-date moisturisers and other creams – these can irritate your skin and lead to breakouts.
Using products that are not suited to your skin type may cause irritation and acne. So, make sure you check labels when you buy skincare products to ensure they are suited to your skin type, and if in doubt, consult a healthcare professional.
Getting professional help for your acne
If you feel like your breakouts and acne aren’t responding to changes you’re making to your skincare routine, environment and lifestyle, then it might be time to seek professional help. Consult your pharmacist about over-the-counter products designed to help 'clear' blocked pores. Common treatments include:
Topical treatments such as retinoids, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid
Oral medications like antibiotics, hormonal treatments and oral retinoids.
“If the condition of your skin doesn’t improve with the use of over-the-counter acne products, it might be time to speak to a doctor or dermatologist,” Dr Cedric advises. “They may recommend medical treatments like the contraceptive pill or antibiotics to kill bacteria.”
"Everyone's skin is different, and what works for someone else may not work for you. Be patient and consistent with your skin care routine and don't hesitate to contact professionals for help.”
Get started with an online skin consultation through our partner, hub.health. Access medical professional support online and get prescription skin treatments delivered to your door.
Please note: The tips throughout this article serve as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.