According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne is the most prevalent skin condition in the country. While acne is not a new skin problem by any stretch, increased pollution, stress levels, and other factors have made it more common. More than 50 million people in the United States alone suffer from acne.

Most of us have suffered from acne at some point. While the condition is widespread among teenagers, it is not uncommon to see adults with acne. With so many people suffering from this condition, the range of treatment options is also vast. 

While some recommend surgical treatments, others would tell you to change your diet. The truth is that you do not need to turn your life upside down in order to battle acne. In this blog, we will show how you can use a few simple products to keep acne in control. What's more, all the products we'll talk about are 100% natural and free from harmful chemicals.

Table of contents

• What causes acne
• Difference between pimple and acne
• Teenage acne vs. adult acne
• Lifestyle reasons behind acne
• Wrong skincare products
• Diet
• Stress and mental health
• Medication
• Biological factors
• Genetics
• Myths about acne
• Skincare products to deal with acne
• A high-quality, all-natural face wash
• Makeup remover
• A light and hydrating moisturizer
• Vitamin C infused skincare products
• Acne treatment mistakes

What causes acne

Before we get into treatment options for acne, it is important to understand what it is and why it happens.

We get acne when hair follicles in our skin get blocked. There are millions of them in our skin, and sebaceous glands are attached to it. These sebaceous glands perform a very important role. They lubricate our skin and hair and prevent them from drying out. 

The oily substance that lubricates the skin is called sebum. When our sebaceous glands start producing too much sebum, the hair follicles get blocked. The sebum mixes with dead skin cells to block the hair follicles, which causes the appearance of acne.

Difference between pimple and acne

Acne has many symptoms, and pimples are only one of them. The others include whiteheads, blackheads, nodules, cysts, and so on. If you get a pimple, you do not necessarily have acne. Dealing with odd pimples now and then is much easier than dealing with full-blown acne.

Once you know how to manage acne, you will automatically know how to treat pimples. There are two types of pimples: papules and pustules. Papules are smaller and less severe pimples and are easier to treat. Pustules, on the other hand, are more difficult to treat.

Teenage acne vs. adult acne

Acne is an extremely common skin condition among teenagers. Around 95% of people suffer from acne at some point in their teenage years. For most people, acne stops after puberty. But in some cases, this condition can continue during our adulthood. 

Puberty-induced acne is called acne vulgaris, while adult acne is called acne rosacea. Teenage acne is primarily caused due to hormonal imbalances. In adults, acne can be a result of several factors.

Now that we have a brief idea about the medical reasons behind acne, let's find out more about the things we do in our daily lives that can lead to acne.

Lifestyle reasons behind acne

Various things can lead to acne, from what we eat to what skincare products we use. Here are some of the most common lifestyle reasons behind acne.

Wrong skincare products

With the market being flooded with thousands of skincare products, it can be very confusing to choose one. However, not all products are made of the same ingredients. If you continue using skincare products with harsh chemicals for years, the chances of getting acne increase. 

Many skincare products have ingredients that actively clog our skin pores. If you continue using them, you are much more likely to get acne. The same goes for makeup. If you don’t choose your makeup products carefully, it can easily lead to acne. It is as important to correctly remove makeup as it is to use the right makeup for your skin.

Diet

If you are consuming a lot of oily and sugary foods, the chances of getting acne increase. Our body needs essential minerals and vitamins to keep our skin healthy. If you are consuming a diet that's not diversified in terms of macro and micronutrients, you are at a higher risk of getting acne.

Stress and mental health

Our brains regulate hormone release to a great extent. If you are stressed or suffer from other mental health issues, it will have an effect on your skin. It is one of the most overlooked reasons behind acne.

Medication

Certain drugs tend to disrupt our hormonal balances, and that can lead to acne. If you notice sudden outbreaks after being prescribed a new drug, chances are that drug is causing the acne. It is particularly common with steroid drugs and antidepressants.

Biological factors

Women can get acne when they are menstruating or when they are pregnant since there are fundamental changes in their bodies at those times. If you are getting acne for these reasons, it would often subside by itself with time.

Genetics

If you have a family history of acne, you are much more likely to get the same at some point in life. However, you can mitigate the risk by taking precautionary steps.

Myths about acne

There are several acne myths, and some are believed widely across cultures. One of the most prominent is that acne is a result of poor hygiene. While poor hygiene can lead to acne in some cases, it is more often not the case. You can get acne even if you regularly wash and moisturize your face. 

Another common myth is that smoking causes acne. Studies have found no correlation between smoking and acne. 

Apart from these myths, some people believe that acne is contagious. The truth is that you cannot pass acne to other people, and it is not infectious in any sense of the word.

Now, let's get into the part you've been waiting for. Here's a comprehensive list of all the skincare products you'd need to manage and control acne.

Skincare products to deal with acne

When it comes to fighting acne, it's crucial to use products that do not have any harmful chemicals in them. Apart from that, natural ingredients are much safer to use for the long term and treat the condition from its core.

Here are some products that can help you fight acne effortlessly.

A high-quality, all-natural face wash

The first thing you need to fight acne is a face wash. But it’s important to remember that if you are using the wrong face wash, you can make your skin’s condition even worse. 

Here's something that you can use to safely deal with acne - an aloe vera face wash.

Aloe vera is one of the most potent natural herbs to treat a range of skin conditions. People have used aloe vera for centuries to treat different skin conditions, including acne. It works so well because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. It soothes and calms your skin and unclogs pores. While various products claim to unclog pores, few can do so as gently as aloe vera. If you are ever confused about what face wash to use for acne, go for the one that contains this ingredient.

Apart from aloe vera, activated charcoal is another ingredient that works wonders on oily and acne-prone skin. Activated charcoal is known to pull out all dirt from the skin without irritating it, making it perfect for dealing with acne. If you use an activated charcoal face wash with a brush, you get the benefits of scrubbing and cleansing at the same time.

The last ingredient we recommend for acne-prone skin is green tea. Like aloe vera, green tea soothes your skin and prevents the overproduction of sebum. Go for a green tea face wash to gently yet effectively fight acne.

Makeup remover

If you don’t remove makeup properly, you are giving an invitation to acne. It is very important to remove makeup before going to bed. 

However, using a harsh makeup remover is often as bad as not removing makeup at all. Use coconut clarifying micellar water to remove makeup without irritating your skin. Coconut is gentle on the skin yet removes makeup efficiently. Steer clear format alcohol-based makeup removers as they can make your acne even worse.

A light and hydrating moisturizer

It is a common misconception that you do not need to moisturize acne-prone skin. The reality is quite the opposite. If you do not moisturize your skin, assuming that it would make it oilier, you would be triggering the overproduction of sebum. It happens because your skin starts overcompensating for the dryness and starts producing excessive sebum. 

Choose a moisturizer that is light yet hydrating, like this Aloe Vera Multi-Vitamin Face Cream. Pairing it with the aloe vera face wash will make the products even more efficient. 

Alternatively, you can use a face moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid does not directly diminish acne but makes your skin more conducive to fighting the condition. It is one of the most potent ingredients to fight acne effectively.

Vitamin C infused skincare products

Vitamin C has proven its benefits for acne-prone skin. It is very effective in soothing inflammation and lessening the visual impact of acne. On top of that, Vitamin C prevents your skin from getting damaged as it fights free radicals that cause aging. It is one of the few ingredients that can help anyone suffering from acne.

Using Vitamin C topically has more benefits for acne than ingesting it. You can use a Vitamin C skin mist toner after washing your face with a gentle face wash to notice immediate results. Apart from that, using a Vitamin C serum is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Concentrated with Vitamin C, it is one of the most potent skincare products for the overall care of your skin. Integrating Vitamin C into your skincare regime will have longstanding benefits.

Acne treatment mistakes

You shouldn't be under the illusion that acne would go away overnight. The condition does not develop in a day, and neither disappears in a day. It is very important to be disciplined with your skincare practices to effectively deal with acne.

Another thing you must keep in mind is that a healthy lifestyle goes hand in hand with a healthy skincare routine. It is very important that you eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and keep your mental health in check. 

We hope this guide will help you find the right products to manage and control acne. Remember that discipline is the key, and you must stick to your skincare routine to see results. With the right skincare products and a healthy mind and body, anyone can get rid of acne.