When looking for solutions on how to get rid of acne, it is helpful to know the biological process behind the problem to begin with. The strange thing about acne is that it is undetermined exactly why our bodies produce it, but what we do know is follicles, more commonly known as pores, sometimes get blocked and result in acne. The oil that our faces produce naturally is known as Sebum which normally travels to the surface. However, when pores get blocked by sebum and bacteria begins to grow, the result and how our bodies respond to that is known as acne.
The problem of acne happens when sebum and dead skin cells become clogged within the hair follicle, creating tiny blockage at the point of the pore. As time progresses, the breakout will get more serious and bacteria, which are a real pest in the acne situation, start to get multiply in the comfortable setting of a pimple. If the follicle ruptures then you get the common redness and inflammation that is regularly associated with acne. Inflamed blemishes will be different in size, deepness, and severity depending on the infection and how impactful the bacteria have been.
A blackhead forms on the face when sebum and dead skin cells block the small pores where acne can happen. While the tiny pore is clogged, its surface remains open and you can see the oily blockage which may appear to be black because the surface is reacting to oxygen which results in the dark colour. A whitehead is the result when there is a blockage in the pore, but in this case, it closes.
Those with oily skin will be more prone to develop acne because oil and dead skin cells are precisely what cause blockages in pores. This is why teenagers and are more prone to acne because they are producing more oil on the skin that others. Oily skin can be a result of genetics and to a certain degree hygiene, but is also heavily tied to hormones which we cannot really control on our own. Getting a good handle on your oil situation is a key for how to prevent acne.
Oil and bacteria have a symbiotic relationship on our skin where one reacts with the other and the result is acne. Oil is greasy and unpleasant enough on our faces alone, and then you throw it its capability of clogging pores, and on top of that you have the fact that bacteria really love to live and grow in excess oil. Evidently, acne does not have one specific cause since it is a result of so many things happening at the same time to result in the problem.
So is it enough to treat the oil on our skin? Maybe if we could eliminate the bacteria, acne would disappear as well? The truth is the best acne solution will be a combination of treatments that will deal with all of the problems in a comprehensive way, from acne control and prevention to full-on treatment. As stated before, acne is not one notable problem with a cause and effect such as a broken leg. It is a complicated and varying condition that is different for people from case to case. As such, there are varying severities of cases that will require specific solutions. The best person to do this is your dermatologist, but until you can get that appointment with your doctor there are things you can also do on your own.