MDacne
What is flat acne?
Flat acne is another name for noninflamed acne lesions, aka whiteheads and blackheads. These flat acne lesions are clogged pores, also called closed comedones. They form when dead skin cells fill the skin's oil glands' opening and block the flow of the sebum. This mix of dead skin cells and dried sebum accumulates in the skin glands' upper part and forms whiteheads. When the sebum is incorrect with the air, it oxidizes and changes its colors to black = blackheads.
What is the best treatment for flat acne?
The best products to reduce non-inflamed skin-colored bumps will be a combination of medicated cleansers and night treatments containing retinol, salicylic acid (BHA), or glycolic acid (AHA). The cleanser needs to have a concentration of at least 0.5% salicylic acid and the night cream 2% salicylic acid.
Another great option to reduce flat acne is retinol. The treatment should start with retinol 0.25% until the skin adjusts to the retinol. After 6-8 weeks, the concentration can be increased to 0.5%. MDacne's retinol contains niacinamide, which helps reduce skin redness and irritation and helps prevent and face post-acne dark spots. REtinol can also reduce the appearance of final wrinkles and is especially recommended to women with adult acne.
A great addition to this routine would be pink clay masks. These clay masks absorb sebum from enlarged skin oil glands, thereby helping unclog the pores, reducing the size of pores, and reducing the number of blackheads and whiteheads.
How to prevent flat acne?
To prevent flat acne - a few cosmetic ingredients should be avoided.
A high amount of essential oils: Essential oils in a small amount < 0.5% are beneficial for people with acne, acting as anti-inflammatory agents and providing a mild natural smell to the products. That said, products with high amounts of essential oils can be irritating and comedogenic to acne-prone skin and should be avoided.
Isopropyl Myristate: is a common ingredient—especially in oil cleansers—that gives products thick, luxurious consistencies. It can cause clogged pores, =blackheads, and whiteheads.
Algae Extract: Many contain high amounts of Iodine that is comedogenic and can cause more acne breakouts. Algae will usually appear on the label as, Carrageenan, laminaria digitata, brown seaweed, plankton extract, etc.
Coconut Oil is comedogenic, meaning it clogs the pores.
Acetylated Lanolin was popular in the past, and it is less common today. While it provides softness and moisturization, it's highly comedogenic! It can appear on the label in other names: lanolin alcohol, ethoxylated lanolin, PEG 16 lanolin, or solulan 16.
While it's Ok to eat it and use it on the body, Almond Oil can easily clog pores when used on the face.
Benzaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance used in cosmetics and skin-care products. Unfortunately, it can clog pores and irritates the skin the way all artificial fragrances tend to do.
Wheat Germ Oil: Wheat germ powder is an excellent food supplement; it is not the best compound to apply on the face of people with acne-prone skin.
Shea Butter: Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer for the hands and body. That said, It's too rich for the face and, in a high percentage, may clog your pores and cause acne.
More info on the treatment of blackheads and whiteheads.
More info on retinol
Best supplements for people with flat acne
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