To make it clear right from the start: impure skin is by no means a reason to be ashamed. Very few people are blessed with even, clear skin with small pores. If you are prone to pimples, blackheads and inflammation, it just means that you need to take good care of yourself and your skin and adapt your skincare routine to the specific needs of your skin.
We at Sanft & Schön are happy to provide you with practical tips on how you can do your dry, impure skin a favor and make your complexion glow.
First things first: blackheads, pimples – or is it already acne?
First, we want to define what exactly constitutes blemished skin – and which terms we're using when talking about it, because: not all blemished skin is the same. Therefore, we'd like to explain the difference between comedones, pimples, and.. acne.
blackheads
Blackheads, also called comedones, are caused by clogged pores. They usually appear in the T-zone – on the nose, forehead, or chin. You may have also noticed them as small black dots, known as blackheads. When pulled from the skin, they have a compact texture.
Contrary to popular belief, the black dots are not dirt, but Melanin – the skin's own pigment. Comedones are generally white. They only change color when the pore opens and oxygen enters, causing the melanin in the pore to oxidize and darken.
The white spots on your skin, also called sebaceous filaments or 'whiteheads', usually come out of the skin in the form of a thread, as they are – quite simply – accumulated sebum.
Good to know: Both blackheads and whiteheads never completely disappear, as our skin never stops naturally producing oil. So, if you notice them on your face despite regular visits to the beauty salon, that's perfectly normal.
Pimple
Not to be confused with harmless blackheads are so-called 'pimples'. The term 'pimple' is a medical term for various inflammatory skin bumps that occur when pores become clogged – for largely unexplained reasons – and sebum, sweat, and dirt can no longer flow freely through these pores.
Unlike harmless blackheads, pimples are characterized by inflammation – and pain. Pimples typically appear from the moderate stage of acne onwards acne They can also occur, though less frequently, even in cases of mild acne.
Impure skin: Encapsulated pimples and acne
Almost everyone is familiar with those unpleasant, "underground" pimples that have no opening to the outside and cannot be squeezed out, even with force. These are encapsulated inflammations located under the skin, which can be very painful.
The line between blemished skin, pimples, and acne is fluid. If it's not just a few encapsulated pimples that disappear on their own after a short time and don't immediately return, experts already consider it a mild form of acne.
From a medical perspective, acne is characterized by increased sebum production and a keratinization disorder in the area of the sebaceous gland follicles – hence the increased scarring. If you are constantly plagued by encapsulated pimples, we advise you to consult a dermatologist. Only a dermatologist can determine the severity of your acne and tell you which type you have.
Whether it's blackheads, inflamed bumps, or encapsulated pimples: you don't have to put up with blemished skin. As professional skincare experts, we've compiled selected preventative measures, treatment methods, and natural remedies for blemished skin in this article.
Tip 1 for preventing blemishes: Know your skin type
Before you start experimenting wildly on your skin, you should first check your Determine skin typeEssentially, this depends on your skin's sebum production. It's not just the activity of sebum production that matters, but also the composition of the sebum itself. Furthermore, determining your skin type involves assessing your skin's moisture production and its ability to retain it.
Your skin type is partly genetically determined, but certain properties of your skin are also influenced by external factors and your lifestyle.
With the right skincare and a healthy lifestyle, you can do a lot to achieve an even complexion – even if you are struggling with skin-type-specific problems such as blackheads, pimples and acne.
Tip #2 for blemished skin: Don't squeeze!
Sometimes it's the things we not These are the things that ultimately make the biggest difference. This also applies to popping pimples and the like. Even if you've probably read and heard it hundreds of times, here's a reminder: Keep your hands off pus-filled and inflamed pimples!
Squeezing a pimple not only damages your skin, but also spreads the fluid inside to the surrounding area. This gives dirt particles and bacteria the chance to get directly into the open wound – even unwashed fingers are enough to cause a lot of damage. Not very hygienic! And it can also lead to unsightly scars.
If you want to do something good for your blemished skin, ideally you should have a professional cleanse your problem areas once a month. They will cleanse your skin professionally and according to your skin type. For even skin without acne pimples and painful inflammation, we recommend our Sanft & Schön Acne treatment Berlin.
Tip 3 for preventing blemishes: The right diet
Did you know that a lack of nutrients can quickly become noticeable in your complexion? Even the occasional sweet treat can leave its mark on your face over time, as excessive sugar consumption negatively affects your body's hormone levels. Hormones This in turn affects the activity of your sebaceous glands, leading to increased sebum production and thus to the development of skin impurities.
But foods rich in saturated ('bad') fats also attack cells and can lead to pimples and acne. Saturated fatty acids are often found in highly processed foods or convenience products like frozen pizzas. As a rule of thumb for beautiful skin from the inside The general rule is: Unsaturated fatty acids are preferable to saturated fatty acids. You can find 'good' fats primarily in nuts and various types of fish.
High consumption of cow's milk can also negatively affect your skin. This is due to the whey proteins. These cause your blood sugar levels to rise, leading to increased insulin production, which in turn stimulates the production of male hormones (Androgens) which can lead to blemishes. Soy, almond, or oat milk are now your healthy alternative.
Tip #4 for combating blemished skin: Fight off dead skin cells
At Sanft & Schön , we rely on a special, minimally invasive treatment for impure skin – Aquafacial Berlin Mitte. The Aquafacial It selectively removes dead skin cells, allowing the underlying skin to fully regenerate. With the help of our HYDROcareH2OUsing this device, we perform an intensive deep cleansing of your skin in four phases in our studio.
In the first phase, we remove dead skin cells with a water vortex until your fresh skin is revealed. In phase two, we introduce an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid, e.g., glycolic acid or lactic acid) solution to your skin, which softens the deposits in your pores and thus optimally prepares your skin for deep cleansing.
The third phase consists of deep cleansing your skin. The vacuum effect of the Aquafacial device loosens sebum, blackheads, and dirt from the pores. Phase four is then used to moisturize your skin.
Good to know: The Aquafacial is particularly suitable for deep cleansing of oily and impure skin and allows shrink large pores.
Tip #5 for clear skin: Clear-up strips
A simple method for quickly removing annoying blackheads is offered by so-called 'clear-up strips'. Unlike other skincare products, you can use these strips to free your chin, nose, or forehead from the bothersome sebum plugs in just a few minutes.
Unfortunately, the effect is usually short-lived, as the ongoing sebum production mentioned earlier causes new blackheads to form. However, clear-up strips are a good alternative before important occasions like weddings or birthdays if you can't make it to your usual beautician.
Tip #6 for preventing blemishes: The right skincare
This tip is self-explanatory: If you're prone to blemishes, you should opt for oil-free skincare products, water-based makeup, and sunscreen. Products containing oil and fat will clog your pores even more. Products containing fruit acids, salicylic acid, or lactic acid, on the other hand, can improve your skin because they open the pores, allowing excess sebum to drain more easily.
Warning: Despite the persistent myth, toothpaste does not help with blemishes – quite the opposite. Toothpaste strips the skin of its natural oils, while the fluoride it contains promotes inflammation, worsening symptoms rather than alleviating them.
This Skincare Highlights You should incorporate this into your skincare routine.
Tip #7 for blemished skin: Cleanse your face morning and evening
Instead of immediately resorting to medical treatment, you should first try gentle remedies and preventative measures to support your skin's regeneration. This includes thoroughly cleansing your skin – morning and evening.
Here's how: Wash your face morning and evening with a mild facial cleanser or a natural soap, and then dry it with a fresh towel. Since towels promote bacterial growth, you should change your towel every two to three days.
Do you often forget to wash your face before bed? Unwashed facial skin is one of the most common causes of acne – and fortunately, it can be avoided with a regular skincare routine. If you don't cleanse your face, dirt and grime can build up. This, in turn, clogs pores, leading to breakouts of all kinds.
Tip #8 for preventing blemishes: Stay hydrated!
We can only reiterate what numerous doctors and nutritionists have already said: Drinking two to three liters of water a day is perhaps the most natural (and cost-effective) of all skincare measures. Because water is absolutely essential for maintaining our largest organ.
It stimulates your metabolism, increases your concentration, smooths your skin, prevents headaches, and boosts your physical fitness. If you don't like plain water, you can liven it up with cucumber, mint, or lemon, or switch to unsweetened teas.
Tip #9 for preventing blemishes: Stay away from cigarettes and alcohol
Cigarettes are not only incredibly uncool, but besides their bad image, each cigarette also contains a lot of inflammatory substances that create a breeding ground for impure skin.
As if that weren't enough, smoking constricts blood vessels, preventing oxygen and nutrients from being properly distributed throughout the body. Testosterone levels also tend to rise with cigarette consumption, which in turn stimulates sebum production. So, if you suffer from blemishes, you should definitely give up smoking.
How about a glass of wine instead? Probably not, because alcohol is just as harmful to your health as cigarettes. Alcohol also leads to blemishes by simultaneously dehydrating the body and increasing sebum production. White wine also causes irritation and redness due to sulfites, tequila with salt makes the skin swell, and beer – thanks to its sugar and salt – causes a puffy face.
Tip #10 for blemished skin: Gently exfoliate skin with microdermabrasion
The Microdermabrasion Berlin Mitte This is one of our most popular and frequently booked cosmetic treatments Microdermabrasion The top layer of skin is abraded using special crystal, glass or sandblasting devices and then vacuumed away.
The treatment improves your complexion in two stages: On the one hand, it removes dead skin cells, and on the other hand, microdermabrasion tightens, regenerates and rejuvenates the cell structure of your skin.
This gentle, painless peel removes not only dead skin cells but also calluses. It can also smooth and even out skin tone. This helps to open your pores, allowing nourishing ingredients to be absorbed more effectively.
Dry, blemished skin: Conclusion
Blemished skin isn't so bad – if you keep a few things in mind. Ideally, you know your skin type, avoid squeezing pimples, and regularly book professional treatments at a trusted beauty salon.
If you want to prevent blemishes, you should pay attention to your diet (plenty of water, little sugar, healthy fats), use the right skincare and cleansing products, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes as much as possible. It's also always a good idea to change towels and bed linens more frequently if you're prone to blemishes and to avoid all kinds of greasy and oily skincare products.
Would you like to schedule a personal consultation at our studio? Feel free to send us a message or give us a call
We also offer hair removal methods such as.. Laser hair removal and that Waxing as well as another facial treatment, the Microneedling in Berlin Mitte We look forward to seeing you!