In today's world, acne remains one of the most common skincare problems for most people, especially for women. Whether it’s a tiny pimple that appears just before a big event or endless inflamed acne bumps that never seem to go away for good, this skin concern doesn’t discriminate against sex, age, or skin tone. The interesting part? It cuts across all races, leaving the affected individuals guessing when the problem will finally come to an end. Seeing this need, we put together detailed answers to some of the commonly asked questions you may have around acne.

So, join us in this blog post as we deep-dive into the top 4 frequently discussed topics among them. While there is a lot of misleading information on the internet concerning these topics, it’s imperative to ask our experts online should you encounter further questions after reading this blog post. At Gold Cosmetics, we are not just interested in solving your skin problems; we also want to equip you with the right information you need to maintain that flawless skin you’ve always desired. Now, let’s get down to business! 

1. How Do I Know If I’m Struggling with Hormonal Acne? 

In a simple answer, if you’ve entered your late 20s, 30s, 40s, or beyond and you’re still struggling with recurring breakouts, there’s a high possibility you have hormonal acne. The fact is, though hormones play contributory roles in most acne types, hormonal acne tends to have the strongest relationships with hormonal fluctuations. And the culprit is usually a hormone known as androgen. Once changes in this hormone occur, it triggers excess oil production and clogged pores. Consequently, leading to recurring deep, painful cysts or nodules on the skin that can take a while to completely disappear. 

Since this acne type is triggered by hormonal changes, you’re most likely to experience it during your menstruation period, pregnancy, or menopause. If you have a hormonal imbalance problem, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or when taking certain medications like birth control, you’re also at high risk. Due to the age range when this acne occurs, some experts may refer to it as adult acne. 

In terms of its appearances, hormonal acne can develop in almost any part of the body. Unlike teenage acne, it’s most common around the lower part of the face, such as the chin and jawline. It can also appear on the neck, chest, shoulders, and back. Most times, these breakouts are quite stubborn, feel painful when touched, and hardly respond to standard treatment. If you suspect you’re struggling with this problem, kindly get in touch with us right away! 

2. Can a Damaged Skin Barrier Trigger Breakouts? 

Yes! In the shortest explanation possible. When your skin barrier gets compromised, it loses moisture, thereby becoming porous to external irritants, which causes inflammation. Once this happens, a stress response is triggered by the body, causing the skin to start overproducing oil to compensate for this new change. This process easily clogs pores and creates a conducive environment for acne-causing bacteria to grow on the skin. 

You may wonder how this happens. The skin barrier is made up of the outermost part of your epidermis. It entails a variety of skin cells linked together by lipids. Its major function is to lock in water inside your skin and prevent bacteria & irritants from entering the skin. When this barrier is functioning at its best, your skin stays plumped, hydrated, & less reactive. But when it gets damaged, the protective structure develops gaps in between, thereby losing moisture and causing external irritants to penetrate the skin. 

Now that you’ve understood how it works, what are the common ways you can easily damage your barrier? By stripping your skin of its natural oils, this is where many make mistakes. This can happen when you over-cleanse, use harsh skincare products, over-exfoliate, etc. Another way you can damage your skin barrier is by skipping your sunscreen. This unhealthy exposure to damaging UV rays from the sun. To avoid these barrier problems and keep your acne at bay, we recommend using lightweight products that won’t irritate your skin and also moisturize with our Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer & Hyaluronic Serum. These ultra-hydrating formulas are excellent at supplying the right amount of moisture needed to keep your skin barrier healthy.

3. How Do I Avoid Post Acne Scars & Hyperpigmentation? 

It’s possible to avoid post-acne scars, but this is hardly the case for most people. The major cause of acne scars & hyperpigmentation is simply inflammation. This can easily be triggered or worsened when you pick or squeeze your acne. When that happens, the accompanying inflammation causes the skin to overproduce melanin, leading to post-acne hyperpigmentation marks. Skipping your sunscreen can also worsen the problem. 

On the other hand, post-acne scars are mainly caused by tissue damage from the inflammation. When the skin loses tissue during a deep breakout, like cystic or nodular acne, and the body fails to produce adequate collagen to repair the damage, depressed dents known as atrophic scars occur. But when the skin’s healing process produces excess collagen to repair the damaged tissue, a raised keloid, known as a hypertrophic scar, is formed. 

However, if you already find yourself in this situation, consider exploring our acne + scars + pigmentation kit. Part of the formulas you will find in this kit includes our Anti-Scars & Open Pores. This formula tries to smooth out your skin and minimize open pores that may have resulted from your acne problems. Alternatively, you can still book a consultation to speak with our licensed professionals first, especially if your case is severe. 

4. Which Acne Kit Is Right for My Condition 

If you’re conversant with our product line, you may have encountered our different acne kits. These treatment kits are designed to target your acne based on its severity. For instance, our Light Acne Kit is meant for you if your breakout is hardly noticeable and only appears as small bumps without any severe inflammation or redness. While our Medium Acne Kit is recommended if you have more blackhead with a few papules and pustules, which presents mild inflammation. Then, our Bad Acne Kit is designed to extensively target more severe, inflamed acne problems that can be quite hard to treat.

Regardless of what you choose, all our acne treatments are smarter alternatives to random ingredient hopping. Each of them can serve as a complete treatment routine to resolve your acne problem. But it’s also highly advised to only use the kit that best applies to your case. In a situation where you’re not sure, kindly call or message us for professional guidance.  

Conclusion 

Today, acne treatments have gone beyond endless routines to a more targeted and personalized approach. This is why it’s important to understand your skin, your current acne problem, and its cause. Using the wrong products or treatment approach when you’ve not ascertained what the problem is can do your skin more harm than good. To stay ahead, prioritize a healthy lifestyle to maintain balanced hormones and also avoid harsh formulas that could strip your skin of its natural oil. Getting rid of acne is easier when you have the right information. 

Just like we’ve always stated in all our blog posts, commitment to a quality skincare routine is all you need to maintain the desired look you admire. Are you struggling with hormonal imbalance or any other complicated situation? We have just the right skincare routine for you. Simply click to book a FREE consultation with our experts.