ACNE

What are pimples and what helps against them? Even after puberty, many people suffer from pimples and acne. Pimples are not only a problem of young skin – pimples and acne can appear at any age. However, proper skin care can solve this problem.

What are pimples?

Pimples are a skin condition caused by blocked and inflamed sebaceous glands. The main factor is an excess of sebum and skin cells, which creates a favourable environment for bacteria to multiply. This can trigger an inflammatory reaction, leading to pimples and acne.

Pimples and acne most often appear during adolescence, when levels of sex hormones (for example, testosterone) rise. However, they can also appear in adults. Various factors increase the risk, including genetics, stress, poor diet and certain medicines.

What causes pimples?

Pimples are caused by various factors that can act alone or together. The most common causes are:

Increased sebum production

Clogged pores

Skin cells, sebum and bacteria can build up in the pores, causing inflammation and pimples.

Bacteria

Propionibacterium acnes is a bacterium that naturally lives on the skin. However, too much of it causes inflammation.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal fluctuations related to menstruation, pregnancy or hormonal contraceptives can cause pimples.

Genetics

A tendency to pimples can be inherited. If your parents or siblings have pimples, you are more likely to have them too.

Stress

Although stress does not cause pimples directly, it can trigger the release of hormones that stimulate sebum production.

Poor diet

Eating certain foods, especially fast food and fatty, sugary or dairy products, may be linked to pimples and acne.

Medicines

Some medicines, such as corticosteroids, androgens or lithium, can cause pimples.

Remember that everyone's skin is different, and what causes pimples in one person may not affect another. Proper skin care, a balanced diet and stress management can help reduce the risk of pimples and acne.

Help against pimples

Treatment and prevention depend on how severe the pimples are, their causes and individual factors. Some ways to help:

Proper skin care

Gently cleansing your face twice a day with a non-comedogenic cleanser can help reduce the build-up of sebum and bacteria. Avoid cleansing too often or too harshly, as this can damage the skin and increase inflammation.

Topical treatment

Salicylic acid, retinoids and similar ingredients are common in acne treatments, available over the counter or on a doctor's recommendation.

See a doctor

If pimples keep coming back, are painful, deep and uncontrollable, a doctor may recommend prescription medicines.

A balanced diet

Eating plenty of healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can improve your skin. Cut down on fat, processed foods and sweets.

Reducing stress

Find ways to reduce stress. Yoga, meditation or other relaxing activities can help you get rid of not only stress but also pimples.

Do not squeeze pimples

Although squeezing pimples may bring short-term relief, it often leads to infection, more inflammation and scarring.

Cosmetics and skin care products

Use make-up and skin care products that do not clog pores.

Pimples in babies and children

Pimples in babies (better known as baby acne) and children are less common than in teenagers, but they can occur. Baby acne usually appears in the first weeks or months of life because of maternal hormones the baby received during pregnancy. These pimples usually disappear on their own without any treatment. If you have any doubts about the cause of pimples or their treatment, consult your child's paediatrician or a dermatologist for individual advice.

Products against pimples

A good anti-blemish cream contains active ingredients that have an anti-inflammatory effect and soothe skin rashes. Blemish-prone skin also needs moisturising so that it does not dry out. Eubos relies mainly on the following active ingredients in its products:

• Evening primrose oil strengthens the skin barrier.
• Biomimetic skin care oil.
• St John's wort, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Allantoin and panthenol help soothe irritated skin.
• Glycerin and vitamin E provide enough moisture.

Eubos products contain no allergenic components and are suitable even for babies. To prevent pimples and acne, always moisturise your skin after cleansing it properly. This helps soothe irritation and reduce the number of pimples. The itching that bothers children so much also subsides quickly.

Our recommendation. For local care of blemish-prone skin, choose BIG PACK zinc ointment. Zinc oxide helps dry and soothe irritated areas of the skin.

Prepared from online sources.