Operation NO Breakout: Managing Acne

Dealing with acne in some form or another is almost a right of passage in growing up. The hope is that you leave the stress and discomfort of pimples behind as you move out of your teenage years, but for many of us, acne flare ups continue happening long after high school.

So what causes acne to continue rearing its ugly head? Is it simply clogged pores and oily skin? 

The truth is, the processes behind what causes acne are a lot more complex. 

It’s only recently that scientists have begun to understand the intricate relationship between acne and other processes in the body. What they’ve found is a major contributor to acne is the balancing of the microbiome of your skin and its symbiosis with other microbiomes in your body. 

But let’s start from the beginning.

What is a microbiome?

The human microbiome consists of every single microorganism living both on and in the human body. If you were to take a microscope to any part of your body you would find a vast ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses, typically living in harmony and, when properly balanced, assisting the body’s natural functions. 

Your skin’s microbiome protects your skin from harmful environmental elements, helps to balance your skin’s pH level, and aids in your skin's barrier functions by consistently producing nutrients and essential oils, balancing the skin’s ability to retain moisture. 

How does it affect acne?

One of the main road blocks scientists have faced when studying the skin’s microbiome as it relates to acne is how certain bacteria seem to cause breakouts in some people but not others. 

What we do know is regulating your skin’s pH can help keep you balanced, healthy, and zit-free! All you need is a little help regulating.

What can you do about it?

If you think about your skin as an ecosystem (we know, kind of gross, right?), when conditions are too dry or too oily, the entire system is thrown off kilter, which can quickly result in a breakout. 

For acne-prone skin with an oily T-zone and occasional breakouts the key is balance. 

Start with a calming cleanser (like the ICE Sal Cleanser) to clear unwanted, pore-clogging dirt and debris off your skin without stripping off essential bacteria that make up your microbiome. Salicylic acid is a key ingredient in this step as it exfoliates your skin, and unclogs pores.

From there you want to move on to something that will help support the barrier function of your skin with pustules, protecting the microbiome from further disruption. The ICE Clarifying Treatment uses the Advanced Healing Peptide Delivery System which delivers active ingredients deep into the skin with less inflammation and irritation. It also assists with barrier protection while allowing the true percentage of the active agents to correctively work in the skin.

For the extra 1-2 punch for clarifying your skin targeting pustules, add in the ICE Clarifying Scrub as well. It’s the perfect exfoliator that will help stop annoying acne in its tracks.

If you’re looking for the ideal way to balance your skin and refine the appearance of your pores, especially in preparation for a peel, the ICE Refining Masque is the way to go. It simultaneously detoxes your skin while reducing oil production to give you a calm, smooth finish.

Finish things off with the ICE Balancing Lotion (balance is key!) that helps keep pores clear and hydrates skin for a matte finish. 

And if you have problems in particular areas, like we all do from time to time, try a spot treatment like the ICE Clear Stick to quickly erase blemishes while preventing future breakouts.

The job of keeping your skin’s microbiome in check isn’t easy but is definitely worth it as soon as you see the stunning results. Make your skin happy and develop a simple, skin-friendly routine and stick with it! And for those with a particularly tricky microbiome, don’t forget to consult your esthetician for treatment advice!