It’s hard to grasp the negative impact acne can have on someone's day to day life unless you’ve experienced it yourself. It can really affect more than just your skin, often causing emotional distress and frustration. We often associate skin affected by acne with teenagers. However, plenty of adults experience it - and this is often less commonly spoken about. We want to open up the conversation. 

We understand how frustrating it can be to suffer from adult acne. It can play a huge part in lowering self-esteem and confidence. It's often hard to get to the route of the problem and understand why you're experiencing acne when you're probably doing everything you can to look after your skin. There is no evidence to suggest that diet or poor hygiene play a role in developing acne, and it can often just be down to hormones. So don’t blame yourself for it and most importantly, remember there are plenty of measures you can take to feel better about your skin. 

We hope this article can steer you in the right direction when it comes to taking control of your skin. There are plenty of medi-grade skincare products that can help. We love using the ZO Skin Health range, so keep reading to find out which products we would recommend.

What are the most common types of acne?

It is a very common skin condition that affects most people at some point in their life. It most commonly develops on the face, chest and back and can be sore, hot and painful to touch. There are 6 main forms of acne…

Blackheads - These are small black or yellowish bumps that develop underneath the skin. There is a common misconception that they develop due to unclean skin, but this isn’t true. The inner lining of the follicle produces colour and this mixes with sweat, sebum and oils in your skin which results in clogged pores.

Whiteheads - These are similar to blackheads but lighter in colour. They’re often quite deep underneath the skin and are hard to remove. Again, these form when bacteria and dead skin cells get trapped underneath the skin. 

Papules - This mild form of acne appears in small raised bumps on the skin. They are often red in colour and can be painful. These result from bacteria that gets trapped under the skin and when a large number of these are present, it is classed as moderate to severe acne. 

Pustules - Similar to papules, these are small white or yellow spots surrounded by red and inflamed skin. These are infected hair follicles.

Nodules - These are formed over much larger areas of the skin and can be extremely painful. Nodular acne can also be harder to treat as they are deeper within the skin and rarely form a point on the surface.

Cysts - Cystic acne is the most serious type and the bumps form very deep under the skin. Although anyone can develop it, cystic acne is more common in teens, women and older adults with hormone imbalances. 

How to find the best skincare for acne

There are a few misconceptions about caring for acne-prone skin. A lot of people feel the need to excessively wash their face but this can exacerbate the problem. You should also avoid trying to squeeze or pick at the spots as this could cause scarring. Oily and sensitive skin often comes hand in hand with this skin concern, so keep that in mind when choosing skin care products and acne treatments. You don't want to irritate the skin. You might also want to consider only using oil-free and non-comedogenic products on the skin to avoid further blockage of the pores.

Here at The Virtual Aesthetic Clinic, we have a wide range of products from ZO Skin Health that can help you take care of your skin, so after you’ve read this article, book your free virtual consultation with us and we will get in touch to review the best treatment moving forwards.

Everyone’s skin is different, and treating acne can be very personal. It’s important to get to the root of the problem and find an easy and effective way to manage your breakouts. We can help you to figure this out! Here are a few of our favourite products to help manage acne outbreaks...

Gentle face wash - The ZO Skin Health gentle face wash is designed for all skin types and removes impurities leaving the skin feeling fresh and clean. The formula deep cleans and helps to draw out impurities whilst being gentle on the skin to avoid any irritation. 

Acne control - This maximum strength acne-fighting formula contains Benzoyl Peroxide that controls surface oils and neutralises bacteria to avoid future breakouts. 

Complexion clearing masque - This natural clay-based formula helps to prevent breakouts. It absorbs excess oils without drying out the skin and can also be used as a spot treatment on blemishes. It's such a great product to have and use as part of your weekly routine, and also for those pimple emergencies!

The Virtual Aesthetic Clinic's tips for acne-prone skin

So we've covered a few of the basic things you need to know about acne, but here are a few further factors you might want to consider on your journey to clearer skin.

• Be gentle when you cleanse your skin. Trauma could cause irritation or further acne scars.
• Avoid wearing heavy makeup as this will further block the pores.
• Certain foods such as almonds, blueberries and avocados can help to reduce inflammation, so try and include these in your diet. 
• Enjoy the sun (safely of course), as 15 minutes of sun exposure a day can help to treat the symptoms of acne by drying out the sebum in your skin. 
• Aim to drink 2 litres of water a day to keep your skin hydrated.

If your skin is getting you down, speak with one of our experts. You can find out which options are available to you and we can point you in the right direction.