HOW TO BEAT ACNE ONCE AND FOR ALL

While most of us associate pimples with our awkward teen years, acne actually affects an estimated one-quarter of the adult population, with more women suffering from the distressing condition than men. Below we’ll examine the various causes of acne, and show you how to stop it from crushing your confidence.

What’s Causing Your Acne?

There are a variety of factors that can cause acne and breakouts. Fluctuating hormone levels are the leading cause of acne in both adults and teens, and women are particularly susceptible due to monthly cycles that alter the levels of oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and androgen. Stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline can also fluctuate depending on our lifestyle and circumstances, and this can also result in the development of pimples and acne in both men and women.

In addition to hormones, there are a variety of other factors that can contribute to pesky blemishes. Some medications can trigger breakouts, while sensitivity to certain foods such as dairy may also play a role. Constantly touching your face also encourages breakouts by spreading bacteria, while improper cleansing can trigger acne as residual dirt, makeup, sunscreen and oil can block the pores and create the perfect environment for pimples to thrive. The same goes for using the wrong products for you skin type - for example, using a heavy night cream when you have oily skin that requires a lightweight moisturiser.

The Best Acne Products On The Market

In addition to cleansing morning and evening and exfoliating regularly, acne-prone skin requires specialised skincare products. Here at Skin Matrix we’ve formulated our own BTB Banish The Blemish Serum, which contains a slew of spot-fighting actives including alpha and beta hydroxy acids and soothing cucumber extract. For those suffering from body acne on their back, shoulders or chest, we highly recommend ASAP Clear Skin Body Gel, which combines glycolic and salicylic acid to combat skin congestion and dead skin cell build-up.   
 
In addition to serums and spot treatments, regular face masks are a fantastic way to deeply cleanse and purify the skin at home. We recommend people with oily and acne-prone skin use Cosmedix Clear Clarifying Mask three times per week. This potent and detoxifying mask helps to reduce blemishes with a soothing blend of sulfur, minerals and naturally clarifying salicylic acid. We also urge patients with acne-prone skin to use an exfoliating toner after cleansing, such as Cosmedix Purity Balance, as this ensures the skin is thoroughly purified and encourages healthy oil flow within the dermal and epidermal layers.      

Pimple Treatment Options That Work

Treating acne successfully goes beyond a good at-home skincare regimen. In addition to using the right products and living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, having regular in-clinic facial treatments designed for blemish-prone skin will help reduce acne while also speeding up the healing process and overall health of your skin. At Skin Matrix, we offer a range of facial treatments created specifically to help you achieve a clearer and more beautiful complexion.

One of the most popular treatments at Skin Matrix is our Banish The Blemish Facial, which is designed to clear congestion in people with breakout-prone skin. The treatment combines deep cleansing with an effective acid-based face peel, and also includes extractions. We recommend combining this treatment with an LED Facial, which uses specific wavelengths of light to help reduce redness, kill acne bacteria, and speed up the healing process.