The American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates that acne will probably have some kind of influence on at least 85% of all people during their lifetime. This includes those who are fortunate enough never to see any outbreaks during adolescence.
Not understanding how acne forms can lead one to some ill-advised choices. You'd be surprised to learn that simple, everyday decisions like what you eat or how you wash your face can have a huge impact on the frequency and severity of acne outbreaks.
At Maelove, we know a thing or two about acne and how to treat it. For years, our products have helped customers look and feel better.
“My 13-year-old daughter is using this to settle an experience with other acne skincare which irritated her skin. It was so raw and red, but using Nia 10 Calming Serum helped to bring her skin into balance and has brought a fresh face to my daughter.”
Angela R, United States
Our best advice for people dealing with acne is to learn. The more you know about this condition, the better you'll be able to choose a skincare routine that works for your skin type.
What Is Acne?
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Acne is a disease of the hair follicles in which keratin (a protein that's part of our skin structure) becomes trapped under a thin layer of skin known as a comedo.
These deep clogged pores are called "zits" because they resemble pimples, spots, whiteheads, and blackheads depending on how much sebum gets trapped within them.
The most common places for zits to form are the face, neck, chest, and back, although they can show up virtually anywhere on the body with oily skin.
Is Acne Caused by Food?
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You've probably already heard that chocolate and greasy foods make zits worse. This is not an accurate interpretation because one's diet doesn't affect the formation of comedos or pimples at all.
However, it can have an indirect effect by influencing sebum production. Like most skin conditions, acne has its roots in the way hormones work. Since food can influence these hormones, it can cause a person's sebum production to increase or decrease.
Then, What Exactly Causes Acne?
Acne is caused by the overproduction of sebum (oil), which can be affected by several factors including:
- Insulin levels — Raised blood sugar stimulates the production of insulin, which raises androgen (male hormone) levels and can lead to increased sebum secretion.
- Hormonal changes — Some women break out at certain times during their menstrual cycle, while some people experience flare ups around puberty or during pregnancy.
- Heredity — If your parents had acne, you're more likely to get it too.
- Stress — Stress is also known to stimulate sebum production.
What Is Sebum?
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Sebum (Latin for fat or oily substance) is a mix of lipids (fats), waxes, fatty acids, and other substances. It's produced by your sebaceous glands, which is why it's also known as "oil".
It accounts for over half the moisture found on our faces so it's an essential part of keeping healthy skin flexible and soft.
However, when too much sebum mixes with dead cells on the surface of the skin it can form a thick layer that clogs pores and traps dead skin cells. This is what causes pimples to appear on the surface of the skin.
How Can I Treat Acne?
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The best way to treat acne is by regulating your body's natural oil production. If you have oily skin, it'll be necessary to cleanse twice a day with an astringent cleanser that contains salicylic acid in order to prevent the pores from clogging up again.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, use a non-foaming or cream-based cleanser instead, since these tend not to strip the moisture from your face as easily.
If you feel you need a moisturizer, use one containing glycerin or other humectants, since these will bind to your skin and seal in moisture.
Oily skin types should also consider using a facial toner as an extra cleansing step that also helps reduce oil production. In addition, those who have sensitive skin should avoid any products containing alcohol which can strip away natural oils from the top layer of skin and leave it feeling dry and tight.
It's important to remember that over-washing your face can lead to irritation which may cause more oil production, so wash only when necessary (at most twice daily).
It's also crucial to understand that acne can't be cured. When you get rid of one outbreak, it doesn't mean the problem is gone forever. As soon as your hormones shift into high gear, acne is likely to come back with a vengeance. From time to time, it returns in different ways.
Therefore, long-term acne management requires consistent skincare for the rest of your life. It means:
- Cleansing twice daily
- Applying sunscreen (since sun exposure can worsen or trigger acne)
- Using an effective treatment containing medicinal ingredients like salicylic acid to keep pores clear without over drying the skin
How Can I Prevent Acne?
Prevention is the best remedy to having a flawless complexion, which you can achieve by:
Exfoliating Regularly
The reason many people have acne is because of dead skin cells that clog up pores and lead to impurities. Exfoliating helps remove these dead skin cells from the top layer of your face so they don't end up congesting the pores.
Regular exfoliation will also help prevent comedos from forming, since it'll make it easier for any trapped sebum to surface and be removed before a zit forms.
The Exfoliator by Maelove is good for unclogging pores, buffing away dead skin cells and leaving your skin smooth.
Using Sunscreen Daily
Sunscreen doesn't just protect your skin from sunburns and sun damage, it also protects you from acne. Harmful UV rays can irritate the skin and make breakouts worse. Your best bet is a mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, like The Sun Protector by Maelove.
It's silky, non-greasy, and packed with nutrients that your skin will love.
“Nice to find an SPF for my face that absorbed quickly, didn't feel greasy or heavy, left my skin feeling soft, and did the job of providing protection from the sun. It really was quite lovely—it might be my favorite face sunscreen.”
— Kathryn L, United States
Using a Weekly Facial Mask for Deep Pore Cleansing
By removing oil and dirt build-up from deep within your face, you'll prevent it from clogging up the pores. You don’t have to use a facial mask daily—once a week is enough to see results.
Maintaining a Healthy Diet
A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for healthy skin. Vitamins A, C and E are particularly good at fighting off free radicals that damage collagen and speed up aging while helping reduce acne as well as wrinkles and other signs of aging.
How Long Does It Take for Acne Scars to Heal?
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Even when acne disappears completely, its effects linger in the form of scars that are typically more difficult to treat than actual pimples.
How long it takes for the scars to heal varies from one person to the next. It can take a few months to years, depending on the severity of the outbreak and how it was treated.
There are two types of scars that develop over time:
- Hypopigmentation — This happens when your body starts producing less melanin, the pigment that colors your skin. Hypopigmentation is said to be the result of inflammation and trauma caused by acne lesions so once they heal, you'll see a decrease in this type of scars.
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Hyperpigmentation — This occurs when there's too much melanin produced on account of recent scarring or another skin injury such as burns or rashes that darkens patches on your face.
This usually fades away on its own within a few months, but if it doesn't get treated early enough, women with darker complexions are more susceptible to having brown spots on their face for several years after an acne breakout.
You should see a dermatologist immediately if you're struggling with acne scarring, because their expertise will definitely come in handy when it comes to helping you fix these issues.
How Can Maelove Help You Deal With Acne?
The Maelove Acne Kit contains 3 products that can help soothe and renew irritated skin. It offers round the clock treatment, and comes in a bundle that costs 20% less than purchasing the products individually.
The Kit contains:
- Nia 10 Calming Serum
- Super Smooth Resurfacing Serum
- Moonlight Retinal Super Serum
The Nia 10 Calming Serum is a combination of 10% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Zinc and White Tea extract. It calms sensitive skin, reduces redness, and delivers a dose of antioxidants. You can layer this serum into your existing day or night skin care regimen. Apply it after cleansing and wait 90 seconds for it to absorb before layering another product.
The Super Smooth Resurfacing Serum is a hybrid AHA and BHA serum that gets rid of dead skin cells to create new, radiant cells. It also contains argan oil, grape seed, hyaluronic acid, white tea, resveratrol, and aloe to prevent skin irritation. Use this serum 2–3 times per week at night, after cleansing and before moisturizing.
The Moonlight Retinal Super Serum is a non-irritating retinoid that improves uneven skin tone and aged skin. It has a unique blend of 0.11% retinaldehyde niacinamide, bisabolol, ceramide, tea extracts, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. Use this serum at night, after cleansing and before moisturizing.
At Maelove, we use real-world data and insight to come up with gentle, nourishing skincare products. Any product you buy from us is made in the USA, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and fragrances.
Shop now to start your journey to happy, healthy, acne-free skin.
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