In a healthy follicle our skin cells are exfoliating naturally, our sebum is of good quality and contributing to the acid mantle (skin barrier) and we aren’t seeing an overproduction of C Acne bacteria! When our follicle is clogged, either by skin cells or thickened sebum or both, we see bacteria overproduction. This can show up in the way of whiteheads or blackheads! Blackheads are when the comedone is open the oxygen is oxidising the bacteria and dead skin cells. Papules are when we see inflammation, redness and an overproduction with no where to go. In a pustule, it is a bacteria waste reproduction party!!!

When treating acne, we need to regulate and improve the quality of the sebum, restore the barrier function to stop the over production of c acnes’ bacteria and promote skin cell turnover to prevent blockages of the follicles.