Let's talk skin. Understanding how it works will help you fine-tune your skincare routine on the way to a clearer, healthier-looking complexion.

Body armour

Your skin is the ultimate defender; an organ that forms a barrier to protect your internal organs against dangers such as bacteria, germs, and harmful sunlight. It also plays a key role by regulating your body temperature.

Fundamentally, your skin keeps the inside of your body inside your body, while keeping what's outside of your body outside. Which, let's face it, is a good thing.

Multi-tasking layers

Dressing in layers is the key to staying warm, and your skin works in a similar way though each layer serves a different purpose.

It's made up of a thin outer layer (called the epidermis) next to a thicker inner layer (called the dermis). Below the dermis is the subcutaneous tissue, which contains fat. You need some fat on your skelton otherwise you'll be literally that: skin and bones with no protection. The subcutaneous tissue helps to conserve your body's heat while protecting your inner organs from injury by acting as a shock absorber.
Buried in the skin are nerves that sense cold, heat, pain, pressure, and touch. The skin's sebaceous (oil-producing) glands secrete sebum, a lubricating oil that provides an effective barrier against the growth of bacteria but can contribute to skin conditions (more of that later). And deep within the skin are your sweat glands, producing perspiration when you are too hot.

All about acne

So that's the skin in a nutshell; but what about one of its ugliest enemies? We're talking acne.
Well three key factors contribute to the formation of acne:

• Overproduction of oil (sebum)
• Irregular shedding of dead skin cells, resulting in irritation of the skin's hair follicles
• Buildup of bacteria

Acne occurs when oil and dead skin cells block your hair follicles. Each follicle is connected to sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum. Sebum normally travels up along the hair shaft, then out through the opening of the hair follicle, then onto the surface of your skin. When your body produces an excess amount of sebum and dead skin cells, the two can accumulate in the hair follicle and solidify.
Pimples are those raised red spots with a white centre that develop when blocked hair follicles become inflamed or infected. Blockages and inflammation develop deep inside hair follicles producing lumps beneath the surface of your skin called cysts. Other pores in your skin, which are the openings of the sweat glands, are not typically associated with acne.

Overcoming acne

While doctors continue to debate what causes the increased production of sebum that leads to acne, a number of factors - including hormones, bacteria, certain medications and heredity - can play a key role.

But, rather than blaming your parents for your challenging skin situation, let us help you put together a new skincare routine that will give you your best complexion ever.

If you want our expert skincare diagnosis and help setting up a simple and effective routine, check out our Skincare Guide. If you just want to choose some products to help you fight specific symptoms, here are a few of our favourites:

Sources:
American Medical Association
Health24.com
Mayo Clini