About Acne | Stridex

Acne is linked to the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum (or oil). These glands are attached to hair follicles. Acne occurs when excess sebum plugs up the opening of a follicle so sebum cannot reach the surface of the skin. Plugged follicles can take the form of either “whiteheads,” where the plugged follicle remains beneath the skin’s surface, or “blackheads,” where the plug extends to the skin’s surface and becomes visible.

Once a follicle becomes plugged, it creates an ideal environment for a common sebum-eating skin bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes (or P. acnes), to multiply. This bacterium produces enzymes and chemicals that irritate and inflame the skin around a clogged follicle.

“Pimples,” “breakouts,” or “zits” are common names, though doctors have more precise ways of classifying acne lesions. For most people, acne is a mild condition. For some people, however, severe cases can result in permanent scarring if left untreated.

What Causes Acne?

The precise cause of acne is not known, but its onset is usually linked to a few key factors. One of the most important of these factors seems to be the increase in the production of androgen hormones that occurs in both men and women during puberty or adolescence. Increased amounts of androgens in the body cause the sebaceous glands to become enlarged and to produce greater quantities of sebum (oil).

Also, during puberty, the skin cells lining a follicle tend to be shed at a quicker pace, increasing the probability that they will stick together and contribute to blockages in the follicle. Other factors that are thought to contribute to acne include:

Use of greasy, pore-clogging (comedogenic) cosmetics
A family history of acne
Abrasion caused by over-vigorous scrubbing, frequent shaving, or other manipulation and “picking at” the skin
Exposure to high heat and humidity
Exposure to airborne pollutants
The use of certain drugs, such as glucocorticoids, iodides, bromides, lithium, artificial androgens and others

No definitive link has been shown to exist between acne and diet. Stress and poor hygiene are only linked indirectly to acne, even though regular cleansing is advisable for many reasons.

Treating Acne

There is no instant (or long-lasting) cure for acne. Over-the-counter products aim at control and prevention in order to minimize scarring, and most of them require consistent use until results can be seen. Proper treatment depends on the type and severity of acne. For acne that goes beyond mild to moderate (Grades 1 & 2 in classification), it is highly advisable to consult a dermatologist.

As a first step, daily cleansing has many benefits, including breakout control. Select the appropriate cleanser for your skin type and be careful not to scrub your skin too vigorously. For mild to moderate acne, which includes the majority of acne cases, non-prescription products such as Stridex Pads can be very effective when properly used. Stridex Maximum Pads have the highest level of acne-fighting medicine (2% salicylic acid) allowed without a prescription. While some face washes contain salicylic acid, they are rinsed off shortly after application. Stridex pads apply salicylic acid directly to the skin and stays on the skin.

Understanding Different Acne Treatments

Many acne product formulas include alcohol, which can be very drying and irritating and can even cause redness which can be a bigger nuisance. Alcohol is not an acne fighting ingredient, but it does give facial skin a “tingle.” Acne treatment products made without alcohol rely on proven acne fighting active ingredients (salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) to do the work without the unnecessary irritation and dryness that comes from alcohol.

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide work to fight acne in different ways:

Salicylic acid exfoliates dead skin cells on the surface and helps unclog blocked pores to prevent acne from forming. By breaking down clogs, salicylic acid rids pores of the sebum and bacteria that lead to pimples.
Benzoyl peroxide helps to destroy the bacteria associated with acne. However, to work properly, benzoyl peroxide must get into the pore in close proximity to the bacteria.

Stridex Maximum Pads have the highest level of acne-fighting medicine (2% salicylic acid) allowed without a prescription. But it’s also alcohol-free so the pads are gentler on the skin than ordinary alcohol-based formulas. The drying, irritating effects of alcohol on skin are well understood, and years ago Stridex determined that alcohol was unnecessary in its pad formulations. Typical acne pad formulas can contain 25-40% alcohol and the resulting redness and irritation can be a bigger nuisance than the problem you are trying to solve. That’s important, because consistent daily use of acne-fighting medication is the key to effective acne control and prevention.

Stridex Essential Pads contain a stronger acne-fighter (1% salicylic acid) than most “Regular” Strength Pads, plus they are the only medicated pads to contain essential vitamins C and E for clear, healthy skin. Salicylic acid penetrates pores to help eliminate and prevent breakouts, while essential vitamins soothe and nourish skin. Stridex Essential Pads contain effective skin cleansers that work to remove dirt, oil, sweat and other impurities from the surface of the skin, penetrate to unclog pores, and dissolve deep down oil.

Stridex Sensitive Pads contain 0.5% salicylic acid and skin soothers, including aloe, to gently clean your skin. Sensitive Pads are recommended for cases of mild to moderate acne on skin that is dry or easily irritated.

Acne and Sensitive Skin

Everyone’s skin is different, so it’s impossible to pinpoint one cause of skin discomfort. Often, irritation can be caused by using a product incorrectly (too often, too vigorously, for too long of a period, etc.) or by using the wrong type of product for your skin. To solve the first problem, always follow directions carefully, and start with the minimal recommended dosage, gradually building up as needed. For people with sensitive or irritation-prone skin, it is sometimes best to use products formulated to be gentle on skin, such as Stridex Sensitive Pads. Stridex Sensitive Pad’s formula contains 0.5% salicylic acid and skin soothers, including aloe, to gently clean your skin. Stridex Sensitive Pads are recommended for cases of mild to moderate acne on skin that is dry or easily irritated. And remember, too, that all Stridex Pads are alcohol-free making them gentler on skin.

Acne and Exfoliation

Sometimes you need to fight acne and exfoliate your skin. And sometimes trouble areas aren’t small or only on your face. If that’s your experience, then consider Stridex XL Face & Body Pads. They combine the trusted power of 2% maximum strength salicylic acid with an extra-large, dual textured pad. The unique design has a textured side for exfoliation and a smooth side for gentle applications. They are 67% bigger than ordinary acne pads to lift away more deep-down dirt and oil and go beyond the face to treat other acne-prone body parts.  