Young skin is prone to breakouts, Victoria Evans, Education Manager at Dermalogica talks us through how we can minimise breakouts and the pigmented marks they leave behind.
11
Apr
Nicole Walker
Why is teenage and young adult skin prone to breakouts?
During adolescence skin tends to be oilier and breakout more due to a surge in reproductive and growth hormones driving skin to produce more oil and skin cells, leading to greasy skin and clogged pores. Without a consistent skincare regime, skin becomes clogged, and breakouts develop. Troubled skin is intensified by lack of moisturising, not effectively cleansing daily, or over stripping the skin with harsh products.
People with oily skin and acne prone skin still need to moisturise
Often people believe that moisturiser will contribute to breakouts or add unwanted grease. However, without adequate water content the skin produces more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture and a vicious cycle begins. Dehydration occurs frequently in younger skin due to the use of harsh, drying products that claim to clear breakouts but simultaneously strip the skin of essential moisture. Hydrated skin functions much more effectively, in fact the natural shedding of dead skin can’t happen when skin is dehydrated. Holding onto dead skin is a key contributor to congestion and breakouts.
Why do breakouts leave a mark?
As discussed, breakouts occur when a pore becomes congested. Dead skin cells and excess oil quickly form a plug in the pores cutting off the oxygen supply to the base of the pore. Spot causing bacteria thrive in this anaerobic environment.
As the bacteria growth overtakes the pore the skins immunity kicks in to deal with the infection. This is where we see and feel the redness and swelling in a newly formed spot. As the infection is dealt with, we see puss at the head of the spot and if we can resist squeezing it, eventually the spot will recede and heal. Due to the inflammatory process during a breakout, skin pigment is produced leaving behind a mark. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Is it really not ok to squeeze your spots?
All professional skin therapists will advise not squeezing under any circumstance. As discussed, when spots form infection and inflammation occur in the skin. Using fingers to pop increases the trauma and risk of spreading the infection, more spots may then develop close by. Additionally, the healing time is increased as the skin now must repair the damage to the pore from squeezing it. Picking and squeezing increases the risk of scarring and PIH taking longer to fade. Instead, you should use a breakout clearing formula for active breakouts that kills the spot causing bacteria and boosts healing. You can also get post-breakout formulas to fade the PIH marks.
What products should I use for a clear skin regime?
Dermalogica formulated Clear Start, designed especially for younger, breakout-prone skin. Clear Start combines powerful, breakout-fighting ingredients with soothing botanicals to leave skin clear and smooth. Victoria Evans, Education Manager at Dermalogica recommends a 3-step routine to help you clear breakouts and achieve a healthy-looking glow in record time.
STEP 1: CLEANSE
Use Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash twice a day to deep clean the skin, it can be used all over face and body to treat and prevent future breakouts. This gentle wash enriched with soothing botanicals and Salicylic Acid removes dead skin cells, dirt and excess oils for fewer breakouts.
Step 2: TREAT
To target active, inflamed breakouts, apply Breakout Clearing Booster directly to spots in the morning and at night. This formula kills breakout causing bacteria in just 15 minutes! It stimulates natural exfoliation, helping to unclog pores and clear breakouts and unlike many drying spot treatments, soothes breakout-irritated skin.
To tackle post-breakout marks from healing spots, apply Post-Breakout Fix directly to post-breakout spots and repeat daily until marks fade. Actives including Hexylresorcinol and Salicylic Acid help fade the marks and improve skin tone.
Step 3 – MOISTURISE
To hydrate and rejuvenate without the grease, apply Cooling Aqua Jelly daily. This skin purifying gel moisturiser helps reduce excess oil and refine skin texture, hydrates and cools skin for a refreshed feeling while simultaneously brightening the skin’s appearance.
What should I do if I’m still struggling?
If you’re struggling to bring your skin into balance, seek advice from a professional skin therapist. Dermalogica therapists undergo extensive training making them experts in all things skin. They also offer PRO services such as the Clear Start Quick Extract Treatment that delivers clearer, calmer skin in just 20 minutes.
Did you know? All Clear Start products are:
- Cruelty free- Recognised by PETA and Leaping Bunny.
- Vegan certified.
- Free of artificial colours and fragrances, gluten, mineral oil, lanolin, S.D, alcohol, parabens and microplastics.
- Contributing to a cleaner planet: Recycled plastic used in their packaging materials and all cartons use Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. Several products are sold without cartons to reduce waste.
