How healthy your skin is depends greatly on your protective barrier and on the good balance of your skins’ microbiome. This is a priority for acne-prone skin types. Oily, acne prone skin can seem complex and intimidating. Acne is often due to DNA but the condition can be aggravated by emotional stress as well as environmental factors. These are two factors that are very prominent during this Covid pandemic time.
Acne Mechanica
Acne mechanica is a type of acne that we are seeing more of lately. Acne Mechanica develops after repetitive physical trauma to the skin (such as the friction from cloth rubbing on your skin, or sports equipment such as football helmets). Is it any wonder then that the moniker “Mask-ne” is currently trending for Acne Mechanica? This is an issue currently affecting people from the occurence of wearing face masks for long periods of time. The primary facial areas impacted include the nasal bridge, cheeks, and chin.
Active Skincare Ingredients
Besides friction, wearing a face mask intensifies active ingredient delivery into the skin. Many acne clients have a daily topical product regimen that includes irritating active ingredients to target oil and lift dead skin cells to unclog pores. An intensified delivery of these active ingredients can occur when they are covered by a mask. That combined with the incubation of bacteria can be a recipe leading to eruptions.
Previous go-to products containing active ingredients such as Retinol may not be a good idea at this time. Luckily there are alternative gentler options that can help you to keep your skin in check.
When you’re suffering from breakouts, understandably the last thing you want is dead skin clogging up pores filled with bacteria. It is important to continue targeting these micro-plugs that lead to blemishes and sometimes pustules, cysts and nodules.
Product Regimen
An Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) serum such as the Glycolic Serum is formulated with Glycolic Acid to decongest clogged pores and Sodium PCA, a naturally occurring component of human skin and part of the “natural moisturizing factor” (NMF) that helps to maintain a healthy epidermis. Use this to maintain a pore purifying routine that won’t overly irritate your skin.
Oil Control
Look for the appropriate skin care ingredients that will help to control oil without being too harsh. The Totarol Serum is an effective oil controller formulated with Totara Extract, one of nature’s super antioxidants. Totarol is a gentle alternative to ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide. This purifying serum is not only suitable for sensitive skin, but a must have for anyone looking to diminish the appearance of their acne prone skin.
Soothing Comfort
For any day your skin is feeling particularly uncomfortable apply the Instant Radiance EGF Serum. This superior hydrating serum helps to soothe skin thanks to a combination of Comfrey Stem Cells (PhytoCellTec™ Symphytum) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). Comfrey is an old medicinal plant known for for soothing and helping to keep the skin supple supporting that important protective skin barrier function. EGF is naturally occuring in skin cells, it’s an amino acid chain that helps to rejuvenate compromised skin.
A weekly or bi-weekly balancing treat for your skin comes in the Institut’ DERMed Clarifying Mask. Formulated with BioFense Probiotic® an ingredient rich in Peptoglycans; and Lichochalcone® an ultra-soothing licorice root extract the Clarifying Mask will help you to maintain a comfortable complexion.
Product choices should be regularly assessed depending on how your skin is doing and new ingredients can be added to the product regime, or products can be removed, in order to advance the results. If you need advice don’t hesitate to ask your esthetician for a skin analysis, this can be done in person or virtually.
