WHAT IS BLEMISHED SKIN?
Blemished skin is primarily characterized by excessive sebum production (seborrhea), clogged pores (comedones), and inflammatory lesions such as papules and pustules. It often occurs during puberty, but can also affect adults, especially during hormonal changes. Important: Blemished skin is a skin condition, not necessarily a disease. Acne, on the other hand—the medical term for the most common form is acne vulgaris—is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by pimples, comedones, and pustules.
There are two different types of blemishes: non-inflammatory blemishes (such as blackheads) and inflammatory blemishes (such as pimples and cysts). Blemished skin can be accompanied by enlarged pores, an oily sheen or - on fair skin - localized redness. In dark skin types, on the other hand, blemishes and acne can often lead to pigmentation disorders or dark discoloration.
TIPS FOR COMBATING IMPURE SKIN
What helps combat impure skin? There are a few tips that can have a positive effect on your complexion:
- Gently cleanse blemished skin
Blemished skin does not need to be cleansed aggressively. On the contrary: washing too frequently can damage the skin barrier and promote blemishes. For blemished skin or acne, a mild facial cleanser with a pH-neutral, non-drying formula is sufficient to remove excess sebum without irritating the face. Aggressive surfactants or formulas with a high alcohol content are less recommended. Integrate effective active ingredients into your routine There are several active ingredients that can be recommended for facial care to combat pimples and blemishes: AHA (e.g., glycolic acid): Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) promote natural exfoliation by gently loosening dead skin cells. BHA (e.g., salicylic acid): Salicylic acid is an exfoliating substance and is also lipophilic, meaning it can penetrate the skin because it has a high fat content. Salicylic acid frees the pores of excess sebum and can help combat blackheads and pimples.Chemical peels with AHA (e.g., glycolic acid) and BHA (salicylic acid) help remove dead skin cells and cleanse the pores on the face. Mechanical peels are not recommended: they contain small grains—usually in the form of a cream or gel—and can cause micro-injuries to the skin.
- Retinoids (e.g., retinal):
Retinoids can regulate keratinization and reduce sebum production, thus acting as comedolytic agents. They can also have an anti-inflammatory effect. A retinal serum can therefore be beneficial for blemished skin.
- Niacinamide:
Niacinamide regulates sebum production and can reduce redness and hyperpigmentation—dark spots or discoloration that can remain after blemishes or acne lesions. Niacinamide can therefore help with blemished skin—for example, in the form of a weekly face mask such as the Pore Perfection Purifying Mask.
- Incorporate moisture and UV protection
Blemished skin can also be dry—and needs moisture too. Light formulas with ceramides and panthenol are suitable for facial care for acne and blemishes, as they can regulate moisture balance and strengthen the skin barrier.
Important: When dealing with blemished skin, you don't necessarily have to use a skin cream for pimples. Face cream with salicylic acid is effective for enlarged pores and pimples – but it is even more important to use a moisturizer in the first place. It is a widespread myth that moisturizing care stimulates sebum production and may be the cause of oily skin and blemishes. Also, incorporate a high SPF sunscreen into your daily routine—for example, in the form of sunscreen or a light SPF fluid. This will protect your skin from premature aging and also help counteract post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Removing skin blemishes
Want to remove skin blemishes? You shouldn't try this yourself. Inflamed blemishes and blackheads should only be treated by trained beauticians. They have the necessary expertise and technology to safely and effectively remove skin blemishes on the face without damaging the skin or leaving scars.
