Lucija Kračun, MD
Specialist of family practise
AAAMED diploma for aesthetic medicine
If you’re struggling with impure skin, get rid of the myth that the sun is your friend as soon as possible. Sunbathing will really mask the problems for a short time, but drying out the epidermis due to the sun will soon cause excessive oiliness. The fat, combined with the thickening of the skin, clogs the pores and prevents the proper secretion of sebum. So how do we properly care for acne – prone skin in the summer?
FROM BIRTH TO OLD AGE
We’ve all had to deal with a pimple or two before. Acne is one of the most common skin diseases. And even though we associate them with teenagers, they can surprise us at virtually any age. In newborns, they are triggered by the mother’s androgenic hormones, which circulate in the blood, but mostly disappear by the first year. Yes, even a baby’s skin is not (just) taut and smooth. In a child of a year and a half, however, they must attract attention and the causes must be sought. During puberty, almost all adolescents develop at least blackheads, which are the mildest form of the disease, and a third develop acne that does not go away on its own. A change in diet and proper skin care often help to improve the appearance, and medications are needed for more severe forms.
Especially in women, acne is increasingly observed in adulthood, after the age of 25. Recent research has shown that almost 45 percent of women between the ages of 20 and 30 and more than 10 percent between the ages of 50 and 60 suffer from them.
WHY THEY ARISE?
The causes of acne can be different. Among the main ones are certainly: excessive secretion of sebum under the influence of androgenic hormones, infection of the sebaceous gland, which prevents the secretion of sebum, bacteria that cause inflammation and fertilization, and immune mechanisms involved in the formation of inflammation. Heredity also has a significant impact. Among the possible triggers, be sure to pay attention to: medications, cosmetics, smoking, stress, diet or endocrine disorders.
And although doctors constantly warn that exposing the skin to the sun’s rays without proper protection harms all skin types and conditions, the belief that the sun improves the appearance of acne is still quite common. The truth? On the contrary – that sunbathing can further strengthen both the triggers and the causes and only make the condition worse.
THE BASIS IS GOOD PROTECTION
Effective sun protection is thus essential for all skin types and skin prone to imperfections is no exception. In fact, choosing the right day cream or serum is even more important, as such skin is extremely susceptible to hyperpigmentation.
And because we sweat more often and harder in the summer, an environment is created in which bacteria can thrive and multiply. This is one of the reasons why some people try to avoid sunscreen products as much as possible – because they are afraid that the oils and chemicals in the creams will clog the pores and worsen the condition. Again, others don’t like the greasy look that many protective products give to their skin.
But the fact is that the sun dries out the skin and even oily skin urgently needs moisture. Otherwise, the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum with the necessary oils, work to an excessive extent, and the production of excess sebum, known as seborrhea, is crucial in the formation of abnormalities.
MOISTURIZING, MOISTURIZING, MOISTURIZING
Keratinization is another result of dry skin. This means that skin cells on the surface harden and interfere with the natural process in which dead skin cells peel off and prevent the secretion of sebum from the pores. Comedones develop.
Frequent exposure to the sun’s rays can also trigger the development of a special type of acne known as Mallorca acne. These occur when UVA rays come in contact with chemicals in certain care or sunscreen products and trigger an allergic reaction. It most often affects women between the ages of 25 and 40, many of whom had acne as early as puberty.
And although there is no single recipe for caring for and protecting your skin with acne, there is a universal rule – be sure to moisturize and protect your skin instead of drying it out. Use natural products, without alcohol or acids, and artificial preservatives and fragrances that can trigger inflammation or itching.
PROPER CARE
Facial cleansing once or twice a day is usually enough in the summer as well. Choose products that help maintain the proper pH and reduce the number of bacteria.
With a formula made of special active ingredients that re – supply the skin with moisture, then take care of the care.
The most important of these is hyaluronic acid, which works great on impure skin, as it provides moisture and elasticity, but does not clog pores. The product with hyaluronic acid is applied first, and the protection factor over it when the first product dries. In the evening, apply hyaluronic acid independently. The appearance of the epidermis is thus improved and the skin immediately looks fresh, softer and radiant. But the results don’t come overnight, so consistency is needed when using them.
BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID
- rehidration booster
- 100% results approved by real women
- instant plumping and anti – wrinkle effect
- clinically proven intensive hydration
- does not clog the pores
MIRACLES EXIST
Among the ingredients that protect skin cells and intensively moisturize the skin is ectoin. A natural molecule formed within extremophilic microorganisms, one of the smallest and oldest forms of life on earth. And because the extremolite does not enter the cell and does not react with proteins, it stabilizes cellular structures (membranes and DNA), so the human epithelium can protect against allergens, UV light, airborne contaminants, heat and dehydration. Ectoin is surrounded by a layer of water and thus forms a complex that strengthens the protection of the skin and its immune system, allows deep and long hydration, increases elasticity and has exceptional antioxidant power.
As we know, the sun poses many other risks to our skin – from sunburn and skin cancer, to sun allergies and premature aging. And one of the most effective and at the same time proven ingredients of cosmetics that work against acne and at the same time reduce damage caused by UV rays is without a doubt retinol or vitamin A. In cosmetics and dermatology, we currently use several types of retinoids, natural or synthetic derivatives of vitamin A. We were most convinced by the natural retinol bakuchiol. Why? Find out soon ….
Use of retinoids for acne
Use of retinoids for acne
Retinoids have been used successfully for decades in the treatment of moderate acne, at:
• stickiness of keratinocytes in sebaceous glands and thus helps to prevent and remove comedones,
• inflammation in acne and
• sebum production.
How else can we help our skin?
- Touch your face as little as possible with your hands, as squeezing pimples spreads bacteria and worsens the condition of the skin.
- Avoid milk and dairy products and fatty foods.
- When shaving, do not put too much pressure on the skin prone to imperfections.
- Steam facials and saunas can help open and unclog pores.
- Clean your mobile phone regularly, wash pillowcases and change towels to keep bacteria on the skin.
- Exercise, plenty of sleep and a healthy, balanced diet will help you stay healthy and reduce stress and improve your skin’s natural resilience.