Blemishes can be a source of frustration for many people and often, seemingly pop-out of nowhere. Whether it's acne scars, dark spots, or redness, dealing with blemishes can take a toll on your confidence. In this guide, we will delve into what are blemishes, what causes them, and most importantly, how to bid them farewell for good.
What are blemishes?
The term, ‘blemish’, encompasses a range of skin imperfections, including acne scars, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and redness. A blemish is the term for any mark on the skin.
They can be caused by various factors, such as acne breakouts, sun exposure, hormonal changes, and inflammation.
What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition which is caused by the skin producing too much oil. It is often acne, or ‘spots’, which is what people think of when they refer to getting rid of blemishes. There are many different types of acne, and knowing which type you are referring to can help with the treatment and management of the condition:
- Blackheads: small, dark spots on the skin's surface. They resemble trapped dirt but in fact, consist of oil that has become stuck inside the pore. When this oil reacts with air, it becomes black.
- Whiteheads: small, round blemishes that are white or skin-coloured. They develop due to oil and dead skin cells blocking the pores.
- Papules: small, hard, red bumps on the skin. These develop when excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells travel deeper into the skin, causing inflammation. When lots of papules cluster together, this can give the skin a rough, sandpaper-like texture.
- Pustules: raised, red spots that contain yellow or white pus. They occur when oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells collect under the skin, causing infection.
- Nodules: large skin blemishes that develop when a pore becomes clogged. Oils mix with dead skin cells and bacteria that then become trapped deep in the skin. The excess oil and bacteria lead to infection and inflammation inside the skin. This type of skin blemish can cause acne scarring.
- Acne cysts: A break in the lining of a pore can cause oil and bacteria to spread to the surrounding skin. An acne cyst is a membrane that has formed around the infected area. Cysts appear as large, swollen, red blemishes. They may be very painful to the touch. Like nodules, cysts can cause permanent acne scarring.
What causes blemishes?
Blemishes can be triggered by a multitude of factors, but some common culprits include:
- Acne Breakouts: When pores become clogged with excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells, acne breakouts can occur, leaving behind blemishes.
- Sun Exposure: UV rays from the sun can stimulate melanin production, leading to dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can contribute to blemishes.
- Inflammation: Conditions like rosacea and eczema can cause redness and irritation, resulting in blemishes.
- Genetics: Some individuals may be more prone to blemishes due to genetic predispositions.
How to get rid of blemishes?
At Seacra Skin Care we use Red Algae in all of our products. Red Algae is a super ingredient that is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, a super hydrant and being rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
The combination of Red Algae and other natural ingredients enable our products to tackle the root cause of blemishes, soothing sensitive skin, repairing the skin barrier and preventing future breakouts.
Read more about this super ingredient in What is Red Algae?
One of our customers, Martha, suffered from blemishes for years until she found Seacra. This is her story of how she got rid of blemishes for good.
Step 1 - Cleanse thoroughly
Our Red Algae Cleansing Soap Bar is our perfect weapon against blemishes. It’s created with natural flakes of Red Algae for a gentle exfoliant. It’s also made with naturally hydrating but non-comedogenic ingredients to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that can clog pores and contribute to blemishes.
It’s rich in hydrating ingredients that gradually repair the skin barrier, adding moisture at every level while being non-greasy and irritating. It helps tackle blemishes and scarring, which is already present, while future-proofing the skin against further blemishes.
You can shop our cleanser in the Red Algae Cleansing Soap Bar.
Step 2 - Nourish the skin with the Recovery & Repair Gel
Most often, people use toxic chemical treatments to target blemishes. They opt for harsh medicinal products that damage the skin barrier, making you more likely to get flare-ups and get more blemishes over time.
Our Recovery & Repair Gel is our best-selling product that is your moisturiser, actives, and blemish treatment in one. It is made with Red Algae and has been clinically proven to target redness, blemishes, and pigmentation over 28 days. You can shop our best-selling gel in Recovery & Repair Gel to target blemishes.
Step 3 - Protect your skin
Shield your skin from harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen daily with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreen helps prevent further damage to the skin and protects against the worsening of existing blemishes.
Step 4 - Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can also promote clearer skin. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, stay hydrated, manage stress levels, and get adequate sleep to support overall skin health.
The main issue people often face when they are suffering from blemishes is that they damage the skin further to try to dry it out and get rid of the blemishes. It actually makes the skin worse. It damages the skin barrier and makes the individual more prone to blemishes and even infection. Our Red Algae products help keep the skin healthy, diminishing blemishes while preventing future breakouts.
