Is Your Acne Really Acne

May 26, 2023

You’ve tried every acne product on the market, and it hasn't improved at all? Maybe your acne has  even gotten worse…

Is it possible, those blemishes, you've assumed are acne could instead be a result of another inflammatory skin issue. All of which require a very different course of treatment to the treatment of Acne Vulgaris.

Here are a few….

Dermatitis

This is where inflammation in the skin has occurred due to contact with allergens, irritants or other triggers. You can identify dermatitis typically as a cluster of small pimples, typically around the mouth (perioral), nose (perinasal) or between the brows (periorbital). It can look almost rash-like and can be quite red, inflamed and itchy.

Treatment Recommendations:

  • Stress Repair Night Cream take our Quiz to see whether this product is right for you
  • Hydrate and nourish the skin's lipid barrier - Face Serum
  • Utilise barrier-strengthening ingredients
  • Strip back on active ingredients

Rosacea

It's a condition in which certain facial blood vessels enlarge, giving the cheeks and nose a flushed appearance. Rosacea results in red spots (papules) and sometimes pustules which can be mistaken for acne. They are dome-shaped rather than pointed and unlike acne there are no blackheads, whiteheads or nodules. The acne-like breakouts usually appear where you have redness on your face. The redness may come and go or be permanent and your face tends to feel very sensitive and on the dry side. Read our rosacea blog for more information. 

Treatment Recommendations:

  • Utilise nourishing and hydrating ingredients into your regime -  Face Serum
  • Reduce use of active ingredients such as Vitamin A+C and AHA/BHA’s
  • Incorporate our Stress Repair Night Cream - take our Quiz to see whether this product is right for you

Damaged/Broken Lipid Barrier

When your skin barrier breaks down, it invites a world of bacteria into the skin, resulting in breakouts. The harsh acne treatments we then try to apply to help can cause even more damage to the lipid barrier. You can identify a damaged lipid barrier by taking notice of the condition of your skin. Things such as dryness, sensitivity, roughness  to the touch, redness, stinging or burning when products are applied are major indicators of a damaged lipid barrier. Another indication is whether you are experiencing breakouts in abnormal areas of your skin - if you are breaking out in areas you have never experienced breakouts before, your lipid barrier is likely damaged.

Treatment Recommendations:

  • Utilise nourishing and hydrating ingredients into your regime -  Face Serum
  • Reduce use of active ingredients such as Vitamin A+C and AHA/BHA’s
  • When your lipid barrier is compromised, it’s important to strip back on active ingredients and give your skin time to heal before re-introducing these. This can take some time, so patience and persistence is key.

While these types of inflammation on the skin can look similar and have common causes, it’s important they are treated correctly to avoid damaging the skin's lipid barrier. 

It can be difficult to determine which kind of inflammation you are experiencing. Seeking professional advice is always recommended. Our doctors can help determine the type and trigger of your inflammation and prescribe an individualised treatment plan, from the comfort of your own home.

Acne Vulgaris

One of the most common skin conditions experienced – of course, there are a lucky few who manage to get away unscathed, but we can say with confidence most people have had a breakout at least once in their lifetime. The frustrating red bumps show on the skin due to a blockage in the pores, usually as a result of excess oil production, dead skin cells, bacteria or inflammation. 

Symptoms range from uninflamed blackheads and whiteheads on the skin to large red pustules, which can be quite painful. 

There are many ingredients that can work to treat different types of acne, such as AHA’s/BHA’s, salicylic acid, lactic acid and other types of exfoliants. The most commonly used ingredient to treat acne is  retinoids. Retinoids are a huge family of compounds derived from Vitamin A. Since they are derivatives of Vitamin A they are considered an antioxidant ingredient. It comes in several forms which vary from over-the-counter  to prescription strength in topical and oral form. They are a “cell-communicating” ingredient, working by “talking” to the skin cells to encourage healthier, younger cells to make their way to the surface. Ultimately removing harmful, acne-causing bacteria and regulating oil production. 

There are also additional antioxidant ingredients that you can use throughout the day to further minimise inflammation, such as Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide and B5. It’s important to note that everyone’s skin is different! We encourage you to take our Skin Quiz, send us an email or speak to your dermal therapist about assessing your skin, prior to treating your skin at home. 

Treatment Recommendations:

  • Acne Night Formula - take our Quiz to see whether this product is right for you
  • Day Brightening Elixir Sensitive 
  • Hydration - Face Serum
  • Moisturise the barrier 

Remember, before reaching for your acne treatment and lathering your skin with active ingredients, pull back and have your skin assessed by a professional.