PREVIEW

Six facts you may not know about acne. Ahead of Acne Awareness Month in June, Julia Vearncombe, founder of Skin:Genius, has revealed six facts about the skin condition that you may not know. You’re not alone: It's important to remember that most people will experience it at some point in their lives. ”It is believed that 95% of people between the ages of 11 - 30 are affected by acne to some extent. So, the vast majority of the population.” Acne doesn't know your age: Although acne is often associated with teenagers, it can affect people of any age. ”What it loves are hormone fluctuations and sebaceous glands creating more sebum, which then create more spots. This is why acne is common in teens but is also during pregnancy and perimenopause.” "And it's not just these times of life either: there are many other factors that can trigger spots including stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, insufficient exercise and medication, to name a few.” There are six different types of acne: blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cystic acne. ”Blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules can be seen on the skin's surface.” "Nodules and cystic acne show redness and inflammation but exist under the skin and can be very painful.” Acne isn't just on your face: While it is common for acne to appear on the face, it can also appear elsewhere on the body. ”It often affects other parts of the body, including neck, chest, arms, back ('bacne') and bottom.” Exfoliants won't get rid of acne: Using harsh exfoliants on your skin can do more harm than good. ”In fact, they could cause further damage.” "Instead, it's better to gently cleanse each morning and evening to clean pores and get rid of unwanted bacteria, dead skin cells, make-up and sweat - the main triggers for spots, breakouts and acne.” There is no overnight cure: If you have acne, it is important to treat your skin gently and give it time to heal. ”Your best approach is to take a 360 holistic view to help understand your acne.” "Look at your skincare, nutrition, sleep, menstrual cycle, fitness, mood, stress, haircare, make-up and medication routines. Keep a note of these each day and see if a pattern occurs when your acne is better - or worse.” THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT