When your body is functioning smoothly, the entire surface of the skin, except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, is covered with sebaceous glands that produce a fatty secretion, otherwise known as sebum.

Since the sebaceous glands do not have their own outlet on the surface of the skin, they release their secretions into the space around the hair follicle. That’s why the proper functioning of the hair follicle is extremely important. Sebum creates a softening and conditioning layer on the surface of the skin. It also helps inhibit the evaporation of water from the skin, creating a protective layer on the skin’s surface. The secretion of sebum is influenced by two factors: temperature (the higher it is, the greater its production) and the time of day (secretion is at its highest at around 11 a.m. and at its lowest at around 5 a.m.). The proper level of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins B2, B6, A, and zinc, is also key. Of course, the most important role in the production of serum is related to the level of hormones, especially the active form of testosterone DHT – dihydrotestosterone, which is primarily responsible for the overproduction of sebum during puberty.

When things don’t go our way, the aforementioned hormones influence the consistency and secretion of sebum. When the sebum flows out of the hair follicle too slowly, it causes a narrowing of the outlet, as well as the accumulation of sebum within the hair follicle. Sebum is particularly attractive for Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, which decompose it into compounds that irritate the walls of the hair follicle.

The body, trying to deal with this irritation, starts the division of epidermal cells, causing the narrowing and, consequently, clogging of the hair follicle. Substances produced by bacteria multiplying in such an environment also stimulate the body’s immune cells into action. The result is the formation of pus, i.e. a suspension of dead bacteria and immune cells. The weakened wall of the hair follicle may rupture and then the inflammation spreads.

1. Prevent the negative effects of the overproduction of hormones.
Adolescence, chronic stress or improper nutrition – factors that normally would not impact on the skin – can bring about disbalance in our organism, which leads to spots. Of course, nothing can be done about puberty, but our diet and how we deal with stress is something each of us has control over.

a) Diet – improper nutrition doesn’t cause acne, but it can affect its severity. Research has shown that it is vital to avoid food that may disrupt metabolic processes. Those who have problems with their metabolism should abstain from food containing a lot of spices or sugar.
Food supplements containing vitamins and microelements may help to compensate for a poor diet.

b) Stress – undoubtedly affects the symptoms of acne exacerbation, which is the most difficult form to treat. Whilst short periods of stress aren’t considered dangerous, a prolonged, agitated state will impact on the skin. And acne is a vicious cycle: the more spots, the more stress. Learning to deal with stress not only benefits your mental state, but also your physical well-being.

2. Remove the excess sebum
So how to remove this sebum? Like most fatty substances, they can be removed with a wide range of cleaning agents. However, when it comes to skin, there is the risk of causing harm, particularly in sensitive skin. If we use a (degreasing) agent that is too strong to wash the face, the skin will respond by quickly producing a new layer of fat, which is not what we want. It’s obvious then that acne-prone skin should be washed with a mild cleanser, not more than 1-2 times a day. And remember: household soap is not a mild cleanser

3. Limit the development of Propionibacterium Propionibacterium acne bacteria are found in most people’s skin. However, when a person is struggling with acne, there are far too many of them inside the hair follicles. Due to the breakdown of sebum, they irritate the neighboring cells, whilst producing toxins and enzymes that intensify inflammation. To effectively take action, you should choose preparations that contain agents that limit the development of pathological bacteria.

Through the breakdown of sebum, they have an irritating effect on neighboring cells, and also produce toxins and enzymes that intensify inflammatory processes. In this case, the procedure is relatively simple – you should choose preparations that contain agents that limit the development of pathological bacteria.

Less time in the sun
Though spending time in the sun may initially seem to help acne, the sun usually has a detrimental effect, causing drying of the skin and the overproduction of sebum.

Treat it, don’t squeeze it!
Trying to burst a spot is the worst thing you can do! This causes further inflammation, tissue damage and the formation of more or less permanent scars. Don’t give into the temptation.

Go easy on the face washing
Many people suffering from acne end up washing their face too often. It makes sense to want to keep our face nice and clean, but unfortunately, overwashing removes the natural fats in our skin, meaning that the skin starts to actually produce more fat. This, in turn, complicates the treatment of the acne.

Put out that cigarette
Smoking increases the risk of cancer, accelerates the formation of wrinkles, causes impotence and exacerbates acne. And not just in teenagers. Give up smoking for good to keep feeling and looking great.

Choose your makeup carefully
Due to the possibility of clogging the hair follicles, wearing lots of makeup is not recommended for those struggling with acne. Of course, you don’t need to stop using makeup completely, just look for those products marked as ”non-comedogenic” (doesn’t block or clog pores), or with an „oil-free” formula.

You need time to effectively fight acne. As the renewal of epidermis takes about a month, acne can appear due to something that happened a few weeks before, meaning: results may only be visible at least two weeks after starting treatment. That’s why it’s all about perseverance to get rid of acne; about sticking to a healthy skin routine, in particular as a teen when acne can last for a number of years, requiring constant care and vigilance.