Struggling with Acne? This Article is for You!

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually.?(source)?

With so many people seeking information, we curated content to share the what, and the why about acne and connected with our Colorescience KNOW BETTER SKIN PROs to learn how they help their patients and clients address their acne.?

When you have acne, you can develop any (or a combination) of these breakouts on your skin:?

• Whiteheads?
• Blackheads?
• Pimples?
• Nodules, cysts, or both (deep and painful)?

Acne can cause more than breakouts?

Some people dismiss acne as a skin condition that you’ll eventually outgrow, but it can have a profound and lasting effect on someone’s life. Many people develop one or more of the following after getting acne.?

Acne scars: When an acne breakout clears, it can leave a permanent scar. Some scars cause depression in the skin. Others are raised. It’s impossible to predict who will develop scars when the acne clears, but the following increase your risk:?

• Living with acne for an extended amount of time because you don’t treat it, or treatment doesn’t work?
• Having one or more close blood relatives who developed acne scars?
• Dark spots on the skin: As an acne breakout clears, some people see a spot where the acne once was. This completely flat spot can be pink, red, purple, black, or brown, and it’s often mistaken for a permanent acne scar. The medical name for these spots is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).?
• Lower self-esteem: Research shows that acne can deflate one’s self-esteem, and dermatologists see this in many patients who have acne. Lower self-esteem during the teen and early adulthood years can negatively affect one’s life.?
• Depression: Studies reveal that teens with acne have a higher risk of developing depression, which may include thoughts of suicide than do teens who have the occasional pimple. This is why dermatologists recommend treating acne when it begins and continuing treatment to prevent new breakouts. (source)?

While few people escape acne during their teenage years, some people are more likely to develop deep, painful pimples that leave scars.?

What causes acne??

Acne develops when pores become clogged. What type of acne you get depends on what clogs your pores.

While scientists are still trying to figure out why some people’s skin seems more likely to develop acne, it’s likely that hormones play a role.?

Can acne start before or after your teen years??

Approximately 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least minor acne. People can get acne at almost any age.?

Acne is also a growing problem for women over 25 years of age. Most of these women had acne as teens and continue to get breakouts as adults. Some of these women had teenage acne that cleared. Now years later, they are experiencing acne breakouts again. About 20% to 40% of women who have adult acne develop it for the first time as an adult.?(source)

Can stress cause acne??

While stress cannot cause acne, stress may worsen existing acne. Results from studies suggest that when stress intensifies, the severity of the acne increases.

Are there other lifestyle contributors to acne??

Acne may worsen if you:?

• Get too little sleep?
• Eat certain foods?
• Use oily makeup and skin care products?
• Apply oily hair care products, such as Pomade?

Are some people more likely to get acne??

Nearly everyone develops at least a few breakouts during their teenage years. It is impossible to predict who will develop more severe acne, but you have a higher risk if one or both of your parents (or other close blood relatives) had severe acne that left them with acne scars. (source) ?

The good news is that you don’t have to live with acne. Today, virtually every case of acne can be treated successfully. Sometimes, this requires the help of a Board-Certified dermatologist.?

Is there any evidence that certain foods can contribute to acne or worsen acne??

High-glycemic foods and beverages raise your blood sugar quickly. Examples include white bread, cornflakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes or fries, doughnuts or other pastries, sugary drinks such as milkshakes, and white rice.?

Findings from small studies suggest that following a low-glycemic diet may reduce the amount of acne you have. Low-glycemic foods include most fresh vegetables, some fresh fruits, beans, and steel-cut oats.?

Scientists believe that following a low-glycemic diet may reduce acne because this diet eliminates spikes in your blood sugar. When your blood sugar spikes, it causes inflammation throughout your body. These spikes also cause your body to make more sebum, an oily substance in your skin. Both inflammation and excess sebum can lead to acne.?

While cow's milk is a low-glycemic beverage, some studies suggest that drinking this type of milk may be linked to an increase in acne breakouts. In some studies, all types of cow's milk (whole, low-fat, and skim) have been linked to acne.??

While cow's milk may increase the risk of developing acne, no studies have found that products made from milk, such as yogurt or cheese, lead to more breakouts.?

While these findings show that following a low-glycemic diet can lead to fewer breakouts, other studies have not found a connection between a high-glycemic diet and acne. More research is needed to know for sure.?

While diet may play a role in causing your breakouts or worsening your acne, keeping your skin clear requires more than a diet change. Using acne-friendly skin care and acne medication helps to prevent new breakouts.?

While more research is needed to know whether certain foods can worsen acne, there is something that you can do right now if you think your diet affects your acne.? (source)?

Dermatologists recommend that you pay attention to your breakouts, and ask yourself these questions:?

• Does any food or beverage trigger a breakout or worsen your existing acne??
• If something triggers a breakout, what happens when you don’t have that food or beverage for a day, a week, or a month?

Skincare Products for people who struggle with acne.?

Acne-friendly skincare helps you get the best results?

Skin care is so important that without it you may not get the results you want. Even if you apply your acne treatment perfectly, new breakouts can appear if you’re too rough on your skin.?

You need gentle skincare to clear acne. If you’re scrubbing your face clean or washing it several times a day, you are irritating your skin. Any time you irritate acne-prone skin, it can lead to breakouts.?

Specific skincare ingredients can also help to address the signs and symptoms of acne.? It is important that you consult with a dermatologist or skin health professional to determine the best products to address your acne and other skin concerns. Here are a few of the most common ingredients.?

Niacinamide, vitamin B3, is considered to be a safe and effective component in topical skincare and may be used to address a variety of skin concerns from signs of aging to discoloration.?

Some of the most notable niacinamide benefits for skin include:?

• Helps build protein, which keeps skin healthy and plump?
• Strengthens skin by helping to rebuild skin cells and retain elasticity?
• Fortifies the lipid barrier, protecting your skin against sensitivities?
• Seals in moisture, which prevents your skin from being dry and dehydrated?
• Regulates oil production, which helps prevent clogged pores?
• Improves uneven skin tone and the appearance of dark spots?
• Minimizes pore appearance, helping to refine your complexion?
• Softens fine lines and wrinkles to improve the signs of aging?
• Reduces inflammation and redness associated with skin sensitivities?

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid, and arguably one of the most effective ingredients for treating acne. It helps by unclogging pores and controlling oil and is ideal for people with oily skin and comedonal—AKA non-inflammatory—acne.?

Alpha Hydroxy Acid—which includes glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid, among others—are powerful peeling agents that exfoliate the top layer of skin. This nixes dead skin cells, brightens the skin, and helps unclog pores.?

Benzoyl peroxide is an antiseptic and is considered one of the most effective ingredients for treating mild to severe acne.?

Retinol helps unclog pores, exfoliate the skin, and increase collagen deposition.” It’s kind of a two-birds-one-stone situation where you are treating acne and enjoying some anti-aging benefits.?

Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that can help minimize breakouts and keep skin clear.?

We sat down with two of our licensed medical aestheticians and Colorescience KNOW BETTER SKIN PROs Leah Park, LE, and Stephanie Schenewerk, LE to share the top tips they recommend for their patients who struggle with acne.?

What lifestyle considerations do you suggest to help your patients address their acne??

Leah tells her patients to invest in a silver pillowcase. The silver woven into the fabric helps to stop the buildup of bacteria. Certain metals – like silver – have a natural talent to repel bacteria. A pillowcase is woven with silver fibers which are clinically proven to eliminate acne-causing bacteria on the fabric surface. This can support your skin by providing a clean surface to rest on.?

Stephanie affirms the AAD’s recommendation to remove highly refined sugars from our diets and add more whole foods. Researchers suggest a diet high in sugar and milk consumption causes a rise in circulating insulin levels. This, in turn, stimulates cell production while also inhibiting cell death, promoting inflammation and the development of acne. In addition, an increase in insulin levels also encourages the production of hormones that produce sebum, which can cause acne. (source)?

What type of in-office treatments do you offer for acne patients???

Stephanie’s acne patients love their HydraFacial? treatment that can be customized to their skin needs and concerns. According to skin professionals, the exfoliating, and pore-cleansing effects of HydraFacial's can help treat mild-to-moderate forms of comedonal acne, such as blackheads. Other more severe forms, such as inflammatory acne, take root below the surface skin, and will not be effectively treated by this surface treatment. (source) ??

For Leah’s acne patients she always adds on a blue light LED treatment to reduce P. acnes bacteria that lives on skin. A form of phototherapy, blue light uses light to kill certain bacteria on the skin. Some blue light treatments have been approved from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for moderate acne vulgaris that has not responded to other therapies. According to the AAD, because blue light is UV-free, using the device for short term therapeutic benefits is not known to cause skin cancer or signs of premature skin aging, such as wrinkles or age spots. Scientists believe blue light therapy may help manage acne because blue light rays help destroy the P. acnes bacterium responsible for producing acne. They may also have an anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes, the most common cells in the outer layer of the skin. (source)?

What are your go-to Colorescience products you recommend for your patients??

Leah recommends, All Calm? Multi-Correction Serum that features proprietary BioSolace? ingredient complex to help calm sensitive skin and, with continued use, help address the appearance of redness. This clinically tested, lightweight serum improves hydration and moisture retention to support skin barrier health while helping renew and soften skin’s texture. Skin is calm and soothed with an overall luminous, refreshed appearance.?

Stephanie always suggests, the Sunforgettable? Total Protection? Face Shield Matte SPF 50. Formulated specifically for oily or blemish-prone skin, this daily mineral sunscreen is powered by patented EnviroScreen? Technology - which means comprehensive defense against UVA/UVB, Blue Light, Pollution, and Infrared radiation, combined with advanced antioxidants and nourishing, hydrating ingredients for long-term skin health.?

This lightweight formula absorbs excess oil, blurs the appearance of pores, and leaves skin shine-free. Tinted with a unique iron oxide blend for additional Blue Light defense, and blends in sheer. Skin looks fresh and feels clean with a modern matte finish.??

Both Leah and Stephanie trust, Sunforgettable? Total Protection? Sheer Matte SPF 30 Sunscreen Brush. This weightless, untinted sheer powder absorbs excess oil and minimizes the appearance of pores, leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed.?

Designed with Enviroscreen? Technology, Colorescience Sunforgettable ? brushes provide all-mineral environmental protection for oily and blemish-prone skin in one convenient, on-the-go application.??

Click here to learn more about sunscreens and acne.?

We are grateful to have professional partners who share their expertise and help their patients and our community understand how to best protect and address our skin concerns.?

Watch our PROs' quick tip videos here.??

Meet Our PROs?

Stephanie Schenewerk, LME?

Stephanie received her esthetic license from Merrell University and has been a Licensed Medical Esthetician at Genesis Medspa for over eleven years using her nineteen years of knowledge and expertise in advanced beauty treatments. She holds multiple laser, product, and procedure certifications to stay up-to-date to deliver results to her clients.? Every client interaction is a chance to make someone’s day a little brighter.? She is an ambassador for Christ and meets with him daily for guidance in my life.? She is married with three children and loves spending time with them.? In my downtime, she enjoys watching the St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Chiefs, listening to live music, and eating sushi.?

Leah Parks, LME?

Leah's passion for skincare knows no boundaries. Leah has dedicated her career to learning everything about aesthetic trends and innovative techniques when treating our largest organ. From small beginnings, she found that her biggest insecurity would become her greatest passion. Her career started in medicine and then in aesthetics and with this, she was able to marry her approach to customer-centered care with being a talented businesswoman.?

Throughout her impressive career, Leah has worked with many of the most prestigious Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa practices in the country working alongside top Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, NPs, and Aestheticians. Leah has been extensively educated in cosmetic surgery procedures, fillers & neurotoxins, body contouring treatments, invasive and non-invasive skin treatments, non-surgical facelifts, lasers and so much more. Her portfolio for advanced education with Medical Grade Skincare brands is second to none and she prides herself in her ability to share her knowledge in terms that are understandable for every person she "talks skin" with.?

Leah launched skinBEAUTIFUL RX so that she could help even more people understand their skin and have access to the best skincare; while receiving the best customer service possible. Leah is a licensed esthetician and owns a Skin Clinic in Columbus, Ohio. When Leah is not busy educating herself or others, she loves meeting new people, laughing over funny memes, and creating reels/TikTok's.?

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you suffer from any of these issues, we encourage you to see a board-certified dermatologist or a medical professional who is trained in addressing these conditions and concerns.