pimples & acne

Understanding pimples, blackheads and acne

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

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

Pimples develop when these clogged sebaceous glands fail to open, preventing sebum from escaping, and causing bacteria to become infected beneath the skin's surface. 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 rich in sugar and saturated fats can also contribute to skin blemishes.
• Stress: Psychological stress can affect hormone levels and negatively impact 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 typically appear during puberty. Along with the hormonal shift, the sebaceous glands produce increased amounts of sebum. The skin appears oily and shiny. This leads to blemishes, blackheads, pimples, or even acne (acne vulgaris). Excess sebum clogs the opening of the sebaceous gland beneath the skin, causing it to harden, and the sebum that flows in builds up. Under the influence of bacteria, the clogged pores become inflamed. Typically, sebaceous gland function returns to normal after some time, and the pimples heal.
  
• Mature skin
  Blemished skin, blackheads (also called comedones), pimples, and acne aren't just a problem during puberty. Blemishes also develop later during times of hormonal fluctuations or changes. Late-onset acne ("acne tarda") particularly affects women with irritated combination skin over the age of 30. Pimples tend to appear less in the T-zone (nose, forehead, chin), but more in the cheeks and neck area, and around the mouth. Blemished skin doesn't 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 for effectively treating pimples and acne. Here are some tried-and-true 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 helps pimples heal faster. Argan oil has antibacterial properties, provides abundant moisture, and can visibly improve the appearance of acne-prone skin. Grape seed oil strengthens the skin barrier, smooths the skin's appearance, and combats calloused skin. 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 include 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
  Consistent, correct skincare is essential for acne. The key here is to stabilize moisture levels and strengthen the skin's natural protective layer. Our skin's protective layer consists of lipids (fats) with the acid mantle above it. This barrier layer protects the skin from environmental pollutants and bacteria that penetrate from the outside and cause inflammatory pimples and blemishes. The pH of healthy skin is slightly acidic. The acid mantle, as part of the skin barrier, protects our body from the loss of its own moisture. It also prevents environmental pollutants or external pathogens from penetrating the skin. The acidic environment also inhibits the growth of viruses and bacteria that can lead to blemishes and inflammation. To strengthen your skin's immune system and improve moisture retention, your skincare should have a slightly acidic pH between 5.0 and 5.5.
• Avoid aggressive surfactants
  The skin's own lipids (fats) form the skin barrier, providing natural protection against moisture loss. They prevent pimple-causing pollutants and bacteria from penetrating the skin. Harsh 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, moreover, have an excessively degreasing effect and make the skin permeable to external pollutants.
  
• Use emulsifier-free care
  Emulsifiers combine the water-based and oil-based components of a product. However, as an unpleasant side effect, emulsifiers also react with the skin's own membrane lipids. Emulsifiers thus dissolve the protective skin barrier, removing its oils and making the skin vulnerable to harmful microorganisms such as the pimple-causing P. acnes bacterium. Therefore, facial care for impure skin with blackheads and pimples should be absolutely free of emulsifiers. The skin-identical ingredients in our Derma Membrane Structure Cream, with pure organic ingredients, strengthen the skin barrier, regulate excessive sebum production, and gently balance the skin.
• Avoid alcohol, preservatives and fragrances
  Alcohol dries out the skin, stripping the skin's natural oils from its protective barrier. Alcohol in skincare products therefore promotes dry skin and irritation. Preservatives and fragrances also have potential skin irritants. They promote allergies and can even have hormone-like effects. These unnecessary additives can cause redness, itching, and dry, flaky skin.
  

Blemished skin, pimples, and acne are complex skin problems that require targeted care and attention. With the right combination of natural skincare, a healthy diet, and a conscious lifestyle, everyone can contribute to improving their skin and achieving a radiant, healthy complexion.