pimples & acne

Understanding Pimples, Blackheads and Acne

Impure skin occurs when the sebaceous glands produce excessive amounts of sebum. This excess sebum can clog the openings of the sebaceous glands, leading to the formation of blackheads. Depending on the condition of the skin, these appear as:

• Whiteheads: Closed blackheads with white heads.
• Blackheads: Open blackheads with black heads.

Pimples develop when these clogged sebaceous glands do not break open, sebum cannot escape, and bacteria become infected beneath the surface of the skin. The difference between pimples, blackheads, and acne lies in the severity. While acne affects both superficial and deeper tissue levels, pimples and blackheads are milder forms of skin blemishes.

Causes of pimples and acne

• Hormonal fluctuations: Sebum production can increase, particularly during puberty, during menstruation, when taking or stopping the contraceptive pill, and during menopause.
• Dietary factors: An unhealthy diet high in sugar and saturated fats can also contribute to skin blemishes.
• Stress: Psychological stress can affect hormone levels and negatively affect the skin.
• Skin care: Aggressive products or products that are not suited to your skin type can damage the skin and promote blemishes.
• Gut health: A weakened digestive system can lead to the accumulation of toxins, which manifest themselves in the form of skin blemishes.

Pimples and acne on different skin types

• Young Skin
  Pimples usually appear during puberty. As a result of the hormonal shift, the sebaceous glands produce more sebum. The skin appears greasy and shiny. Impurities, blackheads, pimples or even acne (acne vulgaris) appear. Excess sebum blocks the opening of the sebaceous gland under the skin and causes it to harden, and the sebum that flows in builds up. Under the influence of bacteria, the blocked pores become inflamed. The sebaceous gland function usually returns to normal after a while and the pimples heal.
  
• Mature skin
  Impure skin, blackheads (also called comedones), pimples and acne are not just a problem during puberty. Skin impurities also occur afterwards during times of hormonal fluctuations or changes. Late acne (acne tarda) particularly affects women with irritated combination skin over the age of thirty. The pimples appear less in the T-zone (nose, forehead, chin) and more in the cheek and neck area and around the mouth. Impure skin does not necessarily have to be oily. Dry areas of skin with a weakened skin barrier are also an ideal breeding ground for pimples and blackheads. Pimple-like papules, pustules or underlayers also appear on the face in connection with rosacea.
  

The right facial care for impurities

Proper skin care is crucial to effectively treat pimples and acne. Here are some tried and tested tips:

• Choose non-comedogenic ingredients
  Non-comedogenic plant oils such as jojoba, argan or grape seed oil are particularly recommended for facial care for impure, oily or sensitive combination skin. Jojoba oil regulates sebum production, cannot be metabolized by acne bacteria and allows pimples to heal faster. Argan oil has an antibacterial effect, provides a lot of moisture and can visibly improve the appearance of acne-prone skin. Grape seed oil strengthens the skin barrier, ensures a smoother complexion and works against calluses. Grape seed oil is also known for its sebum-regulating and anti-inflammatory effects on skin problems. Anti-comedogenic plant extracts with anti-inflammatory, soothing or redness-reducing active ingredients are mainly beta-glucan, green tea, licorice root, rosemary antioxidant, copaiba balsam, lucuma and magnolia bark. We particularly recommend myrto grape seed facial care for acne and pimples.
  
• Preserve the skin's natural acid protection
  A must for acne is consistent, correct care. The aim here is to stabilize the moisture balance and strengthen the skin's natural protective layer. The protective layer of our skin consists of lipids (fats) with the acid mantle above it. The barrier layer protects the skin from environmental pollutants and bacteria that penetrate from the outside and cause inflammatory pimples and blemishes. The pH value of healthy skin is slightly acidic. The acid mantle as part of the skin barrier protects our body from the loss of the skin's own moisture. It also prevents pollutants from the environment or pathogens from outside from penetrating the skin. The acidic environment also inhibits the growth of viruses and bacteria that can lead to skin blemishes and inflammation. In order to strengthen your skin's immune system and improve moisture retention, your skin care should therefore have a slightly acidic pH value between 5.0 and 5.5.
• Avoid aggressive surfactants
  The skin's own lipids (fats) in the skin barrier are a natural protection against moisture loss. They prevent pimple-causing pollutants and bacteria from penetrating the skin from the outside. Aggressive surfactants such as sulfates (sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate or sodium coco sulfate) are not only irritating to the skin. Such foaming agents have a much too strong degreasing effect and make the skin permeable to pollutants from the outside.
  
• Use emulsifier-free care
  Emulsifiers combine water-containing and fatty components of a product. As an unpleasant side effect, however, emulsifiers also react with the skin's own membrane lipids. Emulsifiers dissolve the protective skin barrier, remove its fat and make the skin susceptible to damaging microorganisms such as the pimple-causing P. Acnes Bacterium. Therefore, facial care for impure skin with blackheads and pimples should definitely be free of emulsifiers. The skin-identical ingredients of our Derma Membrane Structure Cream with pure organic ingredients strengthen the skin barrier, regulate excessive sebum production and gently bring the skin into balance.
• Avoid alcohol, preservatives and fragrances
  Alcohol dries out the skin and dissolves the skin's own fats from the protective barrier layer. Alcohol in care products therefore promotes dry skin and irritation. Preservatives and fragrances also have a potential skin irritating effect. They promote allergies and can even have hormone-like effects. These unnecessary additives can cause redness, itching, and dry and flaky skin.
  

Impure skin, spots and acne are complex skin problems that require targeted care and attention. With the right combination of natural skin care, a healthy diet and a conscious lifestyle, everyone can help improve their skin and achieve a radiant, healthy complexion.