Acne is the most common skincare problem seen by doctors.
Acne affects 5.6 million Canadians, nearly 20 per cent of the population.
More than 80 per cent of acne sufferers are between ages 12 and 24.
Acne affects about 90 per cent of adolescents, and 20-30 per cent of adults ages 20 to 40.
Acne affects the face in 99 per cent of cases but can also affect the body in 50% of cases.
Infant acne affects approximately 20 per cent of newborns.
Starting around puberty and lasting until adulthood, acne can persist for many years, regardless of age.
About 25 per cent of teens will still have acne at age 25.
Women make up 75 per cent of adult cases.
Acne happens when pores become clogged by dead skin cells resulting in build up of sebum, a greasy and waxy material made by oil glands.
Bacteria within pores, called Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), can contribute to pore blockage and inflammation – visible as redness, swelling and pus that may accompany acne spots. Cutibacterium can also make more dead skin cells accumulate. The result is acne, the term used to describe emerging blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts.
Causes
Around puberty, hormones lead to a combination of overactive sebaceous (oil-producing) glands that produce more sebum, and an increase in cells that block oil pores. This leads to the inflammation (redness and swelling) of acne.
Heredity (genes) is another factor determining who gets acne, and how severely. If either or both of your parents had acne you are more likely to develop acne too.
Triggers
Several factors can make acne flare up or lead to breakouts, but the triggers can vary from person to person. Every person is different. You can help to control the condition by avoiding things that you notice make your acne worse.
Cosmetics
Makeup and hair care products can clog pores. The Canadian Dermatology Association’s Skin Health Program recognizes skincare products that meet important criteria including being gentle on skin, fragrance-free and non-pore clogging. When shopping, look for our recognized product logo on labels. Other acne-friendly terms on labels to look for are ‘oil-free’, ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘non-acnegenic’.
Physical pressure
Pressure due to a chinstrap, phone receiver, sports helmet, headband, guitar strap, bra strap, shoulder pads and other tight clothing can lead to acne developing at the point of skin contact.
Sweating
Excessive sweat can worsen acne in some people, especially if trapped under damp clothing.
Overwashing
Washing your face once or twice a day with a gentle cleanser is recommended for acne-prone skin. Cleaning it more often, scrubbing/exfoliating or using strong cleansers or astringent products (i.e. toners with alcohol) can irritate the skin and even worsen acne.
Medications
Certain medications can cause acne to flare up, such as oral corticosteroids, some contraceptives (progestin only) and anticonvulsants.
Menstrual cycle
Typically, many people notice that acne flares up in time with their monthly period cycle.
Picking or squeezing
Picking and squeezing acne spots can make them worse and increase risk of permanent scarring. This is because touching can push sebum and bacteria into surrounding skin tissues, leading to more swelling, redness and possible infection. This worsens the scarring.
Food
If a certain kind of food seems to aggravate your acne, avoid it. You may wish to avoid dairy products or adopt a diet with a low glycemic index as it could reduce symptoms for some people.
Every person’s skin is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to skin care. If you are concerned about the amount of sebum your skin produces or if you suffer from blackheads or acne, cleanse your face with our gentle CLERACTIV all-in-one facial treatment morning and evening.
