Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells, leading to the formation of pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. [1] While the exact causes of acne are not fully understood, recent research has suggested that disruptions to skin homeostasis may play a critical role in its development. In this blog post, we will explore the effect skin homeostasis has on acne and how you can improve your overall complexion by considering this important factor.

What Is Skin Homeostasis?

Skin homeostasis is like a delicate balancing act that happens in your skin. It’s the process by which your skin maintains a stable and healthy environment. Think of it like a tightrope walker trying to balance on a rope – if they lean too far in one direction they fall off, but if they maintain their balance they’ll stay on the rope.

When your skin is in a state of homeostasis it’s able to regulate things like oil (sebum) production, hydration, and the growth of new skin cells. This helps to keep your skin healthy and clear. [2]

How does skin homeostasis affect acne?

When something disrupts this delicate balance, it can lead to acne formation. Acne typically happens when there is an overproduction of oil in the skin which, when combined with dead skin cells, forms wax-like plugs that clog pores and create a breeding ground for bacteria. This, in turn, can cause inflammation and pimple formation.

How is skin homeostasis disrupted?

There are a few things that can disrupt skin homeostasis and lead to acne:

1. Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations can cause an increase in oil production and lead to acne formation.
2. Poor skincare habits: Using harsh or irritating skincare products, over-cleansing, and not moisturizing enough can disrupt the skin’s balance.
3. Diet: Certain foods like dairy, sugar, and refined carbohydrates can cause inflammation in the body which can lead to acne.
4. Stress: Stress can trigger the release of hormones that increase oil production, leading to acne.
5. Unbalanced skin microbiome: Overgrowth of bad versus good bacteria on skin can cause inflammation and acne formation. [3]
6. Compromised skin barrier: A compromised skin barrier can disrupt homeostasis by allowing harmful substances to penetrate the skin and cause inflammation. [4]

How can you maintain skin homeostasis and prevent acne?

Glad you asked! Here are a few helpful tips:

1. Use gentle cleansers: Look for cleansing products that are gentle and won’t strip your skin of its natural oils like ANTU® REFRESHING GEL CLEANSER with ingredients like Quillay and Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate that lock in moisture and keep your skin from drying out. Another exceptionally gentle, micellar water-based cleanser that not only removes impurities from skin but also refines the appearance of pores while soothing irritated skin without stripping moisture is the SHAANT® BALANCING FOAMING CLEANSER. The BIA® GENTLE CLEANSING OIL is yet another option for those looking to effectively lock moisture in their skin with its clinically proven formula that shows an almost 10% reduction in moisture evaporation (TEWL) from the surface of the skin which evidences healthy skin barrier functionality.
2. Restore skin’s natural pH balance: Skin toners are designed to restore the skin’s pH balance, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and a healthy skin barrier. Because the skin’s natural pH is slightly acidic, use of a toner that is also slightly acidic can help to restore and maintain homeostasis, enhance skin barrier functionality, and reduce the likelihood of acne formation. The SHAANT® BALANCING REFINING TONER with its patented oil (sebum) control SHAANTCOMPLEX® that not only helps to restore skin’s naturally acidic pH balance, but which also has been clinically shown to reduce the appearance of pores, redness, and erythema (acne-triggering inflammation.
3. Moisturize regularly: Use a moisturizer like ANTU® SKIN BARRIER MOISTURIZER that contains potent hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid that draws moisture into the skin, as well as skin protective ingredients like entadine that protect your skin from environmental damage (UV rays + pollutants) to help keep your skin protected and looking/feeling its best. Additional options to consider for replenishing the skin barrier and thereby maintaining homeostasis include BIA® NOURISHING FACIAL OIL which has been clinically shown to increase skin hydration by 168% and the ANTU® SKIN BARRIER SERUM which, in addition to containing potent skin-hydrating ingredients, also contains the patented ANTUCOMPLEX® and has been clinically shown to decrease skin barrier water-loss and increase both skin and collagen density to further enhance skin barrier functionality.
4. Avoid harsh ingredients: Avoid products that contain harsh ingredients like alcohol and sulfates.
5. Eat a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help to reduce inflammation in the body and prevent acne.
6. Manage stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises and introduce supplements like SHAANT® SKIN DE-STRESS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT into your daily skincare routine to help keep your skin happy and stress-free.
7. Maintain microbiome balance: Look for products that are MyMicrobiome™-certified to reduce acne-causing microbiome disruption and look for dietary supplements containing acne-inhibiting probiotic strains like those found in SHAANT® CLEAR SKIN DIETARY SUPPLEMENT that introduce good bacteria into your skin’s microbiome.

In short:

Skin homeostasis is the process by which your skin maintains a stable and healthy environment. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to acne. By practicing good skincare habits, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress, you can help to maintain skin homeostasis and prevent acne.

References:

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/nri3646"
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3385954/
3. https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-021-01062-5#:~:text=The%20skin%20microbiome%20contributes%20to,process%20and%20stratum%20corneum%20renewal
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8779900/