Let’s Talk: Acne & Blemish Prone Skin

What is acne? 

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, contributing to the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts. If not managed appropriately and the severity worsens, acne scarring can result. Acne may or may not be accompanied with inflammation.

What are the stages of acne?

The four stages of acne are:

• Comedones (blackheads and whiteheads)
• Papules (inflamed blemish)
• Pustules (a papule containing pus)
• Nodules/cysts

Causes of acne

There are three main contributing factors in the development of acne:

• Androgenic hormones– causing excessive sebum production
• Colonisation of Propionibacterium acnes– triggering inflammation
• Abnormal keratinisation– skin cells of the follicle become cohesive and don’t shed normally on the surface of the skin. As a result of this, pilosebaceous units become clogged, contributing to the formation of acne.

How can we treat acne and reduce severity and scarring?

A holistic approach is best when treating acne, as extrinsic factors, such as diet and stress, can exacerbate the condition. The treatment will also depend on the severity of the presenting acne. There are several cosmeceuticals formulated to combat acne and dermal therapies available to treat post acne scarring. Systemic oral antibiotics, the contraceptive pill and roaccutane can also be considered for moderate to severe acne.

La Clinica and Medik8 cosmeceutical skincare recommendations

**Cosmeceuticals are worth investing in as they are formulated to have a specific biological effect on the skin based on scientific evidence. A cosmeceutical is a combination of a cosmetic and a pharmaceutical. They contain certain active ingredients proven to change the skin’s structure, function and/or visual qualities, therefore, improving skin health and appearance.**

Those of us with acne generally have oily skin, so the aim is to control excess sebum production and manage breakouts by inhibiting the colonisation of Propionibacterium acnes and reducing inflammation.

Shop our Recommendations:

Clear Skin Anti-Blemish Skincare Kit– Includes full size products. With Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant properties, the CLEAR SKIN formulations work effectively, without stripping or drying out the skin. Fortified with vitamins, AHA’s, BHA’s, PHA’s and tyrosinase inhibitors, CLEAR SKIN can also help prevent post-blemish markings.

Cleanse

Gly C Refine Facial Cleansing Wash Gel– This cleansing wash gel contains Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C to refine skin texture whilst cleansing skin thoroughly. Ideal for coarse skin texture, wrinkles, enlarged pores, acne, acne scars, blocked pores, blackheads, milia and oily skin conditions.

Clarifying foam (coming soon)- Contains salicylic acid (BHA) and tea tree to dissolve dead skin and impurities, and niacinamide, to reduce inflammation.

Pore cleanse gel intense– Tightens pores, controls sebum and reduces shine. Contains salicylic acid to decongest and exfoliate from within the pore, L-lactic acid to exfoliate the upper layers and hydrate, L-mandelic acid for a deeper exfoliation and cleanse, and red clover extract, which is a botanical pore minimiser that helps reduce sebum production and enhances cellular turnover.

Tone & Soothe

Rebalancing Vitamin A Facial Spray– We love this multi tasker. Use as a toner following your cleanser to help calm and soothe the skin, or spray throughout the day to refresh and reduce irritation.

Gly C Refine Facial Toning Mist- 8% Glycolic Acid– An oil free skin refining facial toner mist formulated with Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C, which helps to adjust skin’s pH after cleansing. With 8% Glycolic Acid and White Brilliant Complex™.

Serums

Breakout defence + age repair (coming soon)- it’s all in the name!

Retinol (Vitamin A)- increases cellular turnover and exfoliates the skin, revealing a smoother, clearer complexion (note: not recommended for severe acne). We recommend a virtual consultation with one of our nurses if you’re new to retinol!

Clarity peptides (coming soon)- a skin perfecting peptide complex to help enhance your skin’s natural luminosity. It contains 10% niacinamide which calms and soothes redness, blotchy skin and blemishes, Crystalide peptide which adds light reflection for a translucent skin effect, and zinc PCA that minimises sebum production and balances skin bacteria to combat blemishes.

Clear Skin Multifruit Acid Serum– A gentle hydroxy acid serum suitable for use on blemished, acne prone skin to help smooth out texture, regulate oil production, decrease congestion, revitalise complexion and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.

Age Reversal Niacinamide & Vitamin Complex– Contains Niacinamide which helps to calm and soothe blemishes, regulate sebum production & improve skin barrier function, Vitamin C to protect against free radicals and keep skin healthy, and Vitamin A to assist in cell turnover and increase healing capacity of the skin.

Treat And Target The Blemish

Blemish SOS– suitable to target individual blemishes to reduce sebum production, unclog pores and reduce redness and inflammation.

Blemish control pads– for the treatment of breakouts containing 2% salicylic acid and allantoin, which promotes healing, speeds up cell renewal and softens skin.

Moisturise

Refining moisturiser (coming soon)- reduces sebum production, enhances cellular turnover and reduces pores.

Balance moisturiser & glycolic acid activator– contains a blend of prebiotics and probiotics to rebalance the skin’s microbiome, promoting a healthy, blemish-free complexion.

Rebalancing Vitamin A Night Cream– Contains Vitamin A to aid in cell turnover and healing, as well as soothing properties to help calm breakouts while you sleep.

Mask

Rebalancing Vitamin A Skin Detox Mask– A multi-functional, invigorating, skin luminosity exfoliating scrub mask to treat and rebalance skin, clarify complexion and hydrate. Ideal for hormonally challenged skin, jet-lag and pollution. This mask is ideal for both oily and combination skin types and can be used as both a scrub and a mask.

Natural clay mask (coming soon)- Contains bentonite, which has antibacterial properties to help minimise minimise levels of blemish-causing bacteria, kaolin, which is a clay suitable for sensitive skin and has the ability to penetrate the skin to help clear congestion, and vitamin E and cranberry fruit extract that provide much needed antioxidant support to protect fresh and clear skin.

In clinic laser/dermal therapy recommendations

Laser treatment for Acne Scarring

Using our Gold Standard laser technology, our qualified doctors and nurses are able to reduce the appearance of general scarring as well as acne scarring.

Laser treatments encourage the body’s own healing system to remove scar tissue. However, scar tissue can be more or less responsive due to the type of scarring, so it’s important to discuss treatment with our experienced doctors and nurses during your complimentary initial consult.

View more info about Laser treatment for Acne Scarring

Chemical Peels

At Begone Skin & Body, we are a proud participant of the Medik8 Australia 12 Weeks to Wow program.

It’s basically personal training for your skin. Our experienced cosmetic nurses will consult you and perform a series of chemical peel treatments over 12 weeks to get your skin looking the best it’s ever been.

We can also perform a series of Clarity Chemical Peels in a set of 3 or 6 if you’d prefer.

Read about 12 Weeks to Wow

Ready to shop?

Shop by Concern (Acne)

Still have questions?

Contact us to book in a free virtual consultation with one of our clinic nurses on (08) 9330 4400.