How does the environment give rise to acne?

Water
The water you use to wash your face may clear surface-level dirt, but it can affect your skin’s health. For example, when you wash your face with hard water over a long period, the high mineral (calcium, magnesium, etc.) and alkali contents prevent the water from properly reacting with your cleansers or soaps and washing off the lather effectively. Instead, an invisible soapy layer forms on your skin, which irritates and clogs your pores and causes flaking and dryness. This causes the skin to overproduce sebum to compensate for the lack of moisture. This excessive oil can also block your pores and cause conditions like blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of acne.

Air
It’s no secret that pollution is worsening with each passing day. Studies have found a direct link between exposure to air pollutants and a higher prevalence of allergic conditions like atopic dermatitis, eczema, and acne. Acne symptoms have been found to worsen during times of high air pollution. Pollutants like PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), generated during waste incineration and fossil fuel combustion, can potentially result in acneiform eruptions. Since these particles are smaller than your pores, they penetrate your skin’s layers and clog your pores, causing pustules similar to acne vulgaris and papules.  

Sun
Regardless of where you live and your skin type, you need sun protection. While getting some sun from time to time is good for your bones and immune system, prolonged exposure elevates your chances of developing acne and pimples.

Over-exposure to the sun causes your skin’s top layer to become dry and thick. To compensate for the moisture loss, your sebaceous glands produce more oil. Moreover, you sweat in the sun. These two factors clog pores and promote the growth of P. acnes bacteria and, thus, acne. If you already have acne, it can worsen with sun exposure.

Side effects of common acne remedies
Retinol, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and niacinamide are commonly used to solve treat acne. However, using these compounds over a prolonged period may result in several side effects, such as dryness, redness, irritation, or hives. These compounds also end up killing the skin’s good bacteria, thus hampering your skin’s natural microbiome. Most of us do not consider these situations in-depth and end up with skin damage resulting from incomplete, superficial ingredients. Don't let your guard down. Ensure a good skincare routine with scientifically proven solutions for acne.

Effective and clinically proven acne solution

TT technology combines thymol and terpineol to target only the acne-causing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The dual action increases the probability of antibacterial substances effectively entering the cell membrane and killing the germs. TT technology also restores the skin’s natural microbiome to that of non-acne skin, preserving the good bacteria. This high-science, clinically proven anti-acne active is 2.5x better than commercial salicylic acid cleansers. Thymol and terpineol are active anti-inflammatory and antioxidative ingredients that work universally on inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. Most individuals have reported reduced acne from Day 3, with minimal side effects compared to popular skincare ingredients.

There is no way to eradicate the environment’s harmful effects completely. Thankfully, there are ways you can minimise them through research-based technologies, such as the high-science amalgamation of terpineol and thymol to help effectively eradicate the bad bacteria from your skin. Before using any formulation to help with acne, it is always best to remember which ingredient will suit every skin type and to consult a dermatologist when in doubt. Ultimately, understanding your skin type and issues will enable you to choose the best solution for your acne.