Acne is one of the most common skin concerns affecting people of all ages. Whether you’re dealing with teenage breakouts or adult acne, it’s important to understand that acne isn’t just a surface issue—it reflects what’s going on inside your body and how your skin is reacting.
This Acne Awareness Month, we want to share some simple, clear info about what causes acne, common acne triggers, and practical steps you can take at home and with professional help to manage and treat it effectively.
Acne develops due to a combination of four main factors:
Excess Sebum (Oil) Production
Your skin naturally produces oil (sebum) to keep it hydrated and protected. But sometimes, due to hormones or other influences, the oil glands go into overdrive. This excess oil can clog pores, leading to acne breakouts.
Blocked Pores from Excess Skin Cells
Our skin sheds dead skin cells every day. If these cells aren’t cleared away properly, they mix with excess oil and block pores. This blockage is often the starting point for blackheads and whiteheads.
Bacterial Growth – Especially Cutibacterium acnes
Cutibacterium acnes bacteria live harmlessly on all our skin—but when a pore is clogged with oil and dead skin, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply. This triggers inflammation and the red, swollen spots recognised as acne.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to irritation or infection. In acne, inflammation causes redness, swelling, and sometimes pain. Managing inflammation is key to reducing active acne and preventing scars.
Understanding the types of acne can help you better identify your skin concerns:
Blackheads (Open Comedones): Small dark dots where pores are blocked but open, causing the oil inside to darken.
Whiteheads (Closed Comedones): Small white or skin-coloured bumps where pores are blocked but closed, trapping oil beneath the skin.
Papules: Small, red, tender bumps caused by inflammation without pus.
Pustules: Red bumps with a white or yellow centre filled with pus.
Nodules: Large, hard, painful lumps under the skin, deeper than papules or pustules.
Cysts: Large, painful, pus-filled lumps deep within the skin that often cause scarring.
Teenage acne is mostly driven by hormonal changes during puberty, typically affecting the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). In contrast, adult acne often appears around the jawline and cheeks and can be influenced by stress, hormonal fluctuations, and gut health. Adult skin tends to be more sensitive, often requiring a gentler acne treatment approach.
Hormones called androgens increase oil production in the skin. This excess oil mixes with dead skin cells, blocking pores and creating a breeding ground for C. acnes bacteria. Your immune system reacts with inflammation, which leads to the appearance of spots.
Besides hormones, several factors can worsen acne:
Your gut microbiome—the balance of good bacteria in your digestive system—plays a crucial role in skin health. When digestion isn’t working well, toxins can accumulate and emerge through the skin, leading to breakouts and inflammation. Supporting your gut health with fibre-rich foods, staying hydrated, and probiotics can make a big difference in reducing acne.
At Skyrah, we take a holistic approach to acne treatment, looking at your skin from the inside out. We often recommend the Advanced Nutrition Programme™ (ANP) supplements, particularly the Skin Clear Biome, which supports gut health and reduces inflammation without side effects.
We also focus on calming sensitive, inflamed skin before moving on to more active acne treatments. Our professional facials and tailored skincare plans are designed to reduce breakouts, soothe irritation, and improve your skin’s overall health.
Everyone’s skin is unique, and acne treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why we recommend starting with a thorough skin consultation.
During your consultation, we’ll:
Whether you experience occasional spots or persistent acne, a consultation helps us understand your unique skin needs and set you on the right path.
Even after acne clears, scars and marks can remain, including:
At Skyrah, we offer treatments to improve the appearance of acne scars, such as:
We’ll work closely with you to develop a personalised plan to help your skin look and feel its best.
If you’d like to learn more about how to reduce acne, treat scars, or book a skin consultation, get in touch with us today — we’re here to help every step of the way.