Many of us at some point in our lives have suffered from acne, breakouts or blackheads but understanding how these skin changes occur and how to treat each one successfully can be challenging. With the plethora of acne and pimple products on the market to choose from, how do you know which ones to try and which ones will work? Many medicated and breakout products can leave your skin feeling dry and irritated with no result at all, making it a frustrating and expensive experience.
When it comes to treating breakouts, pimples and acne, Dermalogica have formulated Clear Start™️ and Medibac Clearing. Both ranges of products target problematic skin, however Clear Start™️ is a complete range of affordable products specifically designed for a teenage and younger 20’s skin that is likely to experience breakouts due to increased oil production, whilst the Medibac Clearing range is tailored and formulated for a more mature skin that experiences breakouts due to hormones, slow cell turnover and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
With the release of two NEW Clear Start™️ products, Breakout Clearing Booster and Blackhead Clearing Fizz mask, it’s imortant to understand what causes blackheads and breakouts in the first place!
Breakouts occur due to the build-up of dead skin cells, excess oil production and bacteria. When dead skin cells and excess oil get together they impact the follicle by forming a plug. Bacteria – Propionibacterium or commonly known as p.acnes, live happily on our skin until they get trapped inside this plug and multiply causing breakouts with redness and inflammation.
What type of breakouts are there?
Blackheads or open comedones, are the result of an open follicle that has excess oil, skin cells and bacteria inside the follicle that oxidises turning it black. Some blackheads are easily extracted or even resolve themselves with good skin care, but sometimes if left untreated they can linger, become infected and turn into more severe forms of acne.
Whiteheadsor closed comedones are the same as blackheads but they don’t oxidise. Just like blackheads, they can become inflamed and infected.
Milia are tiny hard white lumps. This happens because dead skin and oil becomes trapped when skin grows over them.
Papules occur when a closed follicle is starved of oxygen. Our p.acnes thrive in this environment with excess oil and dead skin cells being their favourite junk food! The more the p.acnes multiply and thrive, the bigger the follicle will swell into a papule.
What does a papule look and feel like?
Red raised lumps on the skin surface.
Pustules happen when the follicle becomes overfilled with all this excess oil, skin cells and bacteria with the follicle wall rupturing beneath the skin spilling the bacteria into dermis. Our immune system is called into action and triggers white blood cells to fight the p.acnes. Nodules can occur when the infection spreads to neighbour follicles.
What do pustules look and feel like?
White or yellow pus-filled bumps with redness and inflammation.
What do nodules look and feel like?
Large bumpy areas or pustules and papules clustered together.
There can be many trigger factors for acne and breakouts:
Lifestyle: An ineffective skin care routine is the number one lifestyle contributor. Correct cleansing and exfoliation is crucial in ensuring excess oil and dead skin cell build up keeps the skin clear and healthy. Cosmetic ingredients also play a part and so steer away from comedogenic ingredients like artificial colours and fragrance in make-up and hair care.
Genetics:Some people have more of a genetic predisposition to acne which means they may produce more skin cells, oil than non-genetic dispositions.
Stress:The effects of stress and the skin is now widely publicised. When stressed, our adrenal glands get stimulated which triggers more oil production and so this can become the start of breakouts.
Age and hormones: When we are younger, oil production is higher and therefore we can become more susceptible to breakouts. As we age, oil production slows down and hormonal disruption can be a catalyst for individual breakouts or even adult acne.
So whichClear Start™️ products will work for you?
Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash:
This hard working but non stripping skin wash removes dead skin cells, dirt and excess oils for fewer breakouts. It contains botanicals to soothe the skin. It can also be used all over the face and body to prevent breakouts.
How do I use it?
Use both morning and night. Lather and foam up a small amount in damp hands and massage over the face, neck and chest if required. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. If you are wearing make up, cleanse twice.
Breakout Clearing All Over Toner
This toner helps to give your moisturiser more absorption while combating breakouts and it contains gentle botanicals to help calm, cool and soothe the skin.
How do I use it?
After cleansing, spritz over the entire face with eyes closed, neck and anywhere on the body that is prone to breakout. Let absorb. Then follow using your recommended Clear Start™️ product. If your skin gets dehydrated during the day you can apply it throughout to rehydrate and soothe your skin.
Oil Clearing Matte Moisturiser spf15
A matte moisturiser that help combat shine throughout the day. Gives spf protection without feeling oily and contains botanicals to soothe the skin.
How do I use it?
After toning apply over your skin.
Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion
This soothing lotion gives relief to dehydrated skin and is particularly good for skins that are on prescribed acne treatments. It is also excellent for night time use to soothe and protect the skin.
How do I use it?
After cleansing and toning apply over entire face and any other breakouts areas.
NEW! Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask
This unique mask transforms into a fizzing formula to help soften and clear blackheads on breakout-prone skin. It contains Kaolin and that help control excess oil and anti bacterial ingredients like Sulfar to clear skin.
How do I use it?
Apply a thin layer to cleansed skin on areas of blackheads and allow 3-5 minutes to fully activate. Rinse well. Follow with your recommended Clear Start™️products. This mask can be used up to 2-3 times per week.
NEW Breakout Clearing Booster
A fast-acting, light-weight formula that helps clear pores and kills breakout-causing bacteria for rapid skin clearing. This booster helps to unclog pores and soothes irritated skin whilst helping the skins defence against bacteria.
How do I use it?
This product can be used morning and/or night. Apply a small amount directly to blemish or breakout area, or apply a thin layer all over the face after toner and under moisturiser for breakout prevention.
Clear Start™️ products have been developed for a younger, teenage skin that experience breakouts due to an increased oil flow. They are able to be used in conjunction with prescribed acne medications and are vegan, gluten and cruelty-free.
Do you have more questions or want some expert advice in choosing Clear Skin™️products? We are available to answer any questions or advice you need. Contact our professional team at online@prodermal or call us on 02 9423 3690. We hope to hear from you soon so you can experience a clearer skin sooner!
Yours in skin,
The Prodermal Team X
ps...You can read our blog on adult acne and the Medic Clearing range here:
