Acne can be a complex skin condition, made even more frustrating by the scarring it can leave behind. Acne scarring can be difficult to treat as it may vary in severity, and in some cases using skincare alone won’t improve the appearance.
Scars are a natural part of our skin’s healing process and develop when the deeper layers of our skin (dermis) are damaged. New collagen fibers are created to repair the damage to the skin, often resulting in a scar.
If you suffer from mild scarring as a result of acne, a consistent skincare routine using ingredients that repair, smooth and brighten the skin daily can be an effective way to improve the appearance of acne scarring.
When it comes to acne and scarring, prevention is always better than cure. So, before we dive deeper into how you can improve acne scarring, let’s take a closer look at the causes of acne and how you can reduce the risk of scarring before it happens.
CAUSES OF ACNE
Put simply, acne occurs when a hair follicle and its sebaceous gland become blocked and inflamed. It can be caused by a range of factors, the most common being hormonal imbalances, and can be exacerbated further by an unhealthy diet, poor skin hygiene, the wrong skincare, stress and gut health issues. Blocked pores that lead to acne can be cause by:
- Excess sebum production
- Bacteria
- Dead skin cells
- Ingrown hairs
Blackheads and Whiteheads
These types of pimples are most common and are usually non inflammatory, meaning they generally won’t cause too much redness or swelling. Blackheads form when a pore is clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells, while the pore remains open. Whiteheads form in a similar way, however the top of the pore closes up, leaving a “whitehead”. In most cases, these types of pimples cause minimal damage to the skin and generally heal with little scarring (provided you don’t pick at them!)
Inflammatory acne
Swollen and red pimples are known as inflammatory acne, and they generally sit deeper below the surface with no visible pore opening. These types of pimples may be infected from bacteria, can be painful and are difficult to clear with skincare alone. Papules, Nodules and Cysts are types of inflammatory acne that can form as a result of bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells clogging pores beneath the skin.
To improve acne and reduce the risk of scarring it’s important to get to the root cause of acne, adopt healthy lifestyle choices, reduce stress and stick to a daily skincare routine that supports your skin type and concerns. Acne also thrives on bacteria, which is why skin hygiene is so important. You can reduce the spread of bacteria to your face through these healthy hygiene habits:
- Double Cleansing every night to ensure skin is clean and free from makeup, excess oil and dead skin
- Don’t touch your face throughout the day
- Don’t squeeze pimples (we know this is tempting!)
- Wash makeup brushes regularly
- Change pillow cases regularly
- Wash hands regularly
For more in depth tips on acne and suitable skincare, read LAMAV’s Ultimate Guide for Acne Prone Skin here - LINK
NATURAL INGREDIENTS THAT SUPPORT ACNE SCARRING
AHA’s
Naturally derived AHA’s breakdown dead skin and encourage cellular turnover to reveal smoother, brighter skin. This makes them an ideal ingredient not only for mild scarring, but also for acne prevention. If you have active breakouts, AHA’s are a great choice for smoothing the skin without the need to abrasively scrub the skin. Aggravating active blemishes can cause irritation and infection, leading to deeper wounds, longer healing time and higher risk of scarring.
Find AHA’s in these LAMAV Organic Skincare Products, created specifically to support those with acne prone skin.
Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser
Our cult favourite cleansing gel was formulated to purify, balance and support oily and combination skin. Papaya Extract, Desert Lime and Mountain Pepper Leaf assists with hormonal acne and breakouts while Lactic Acid and fruit derived AHAs effectively exfoliate to remove excess sebum and impurities for a smooth, clean complexion.
We recommend a double cleanse at night to ensure all makeup, SPF and excess oil is removed prior to applying your nightly skincare. As most skincare actives are applied at night, (such as vitamin A) it’s important to make sure they have the best chance of penetrating the skin for optimal results.
Probiotic Toner
Our Probiotic toner includes fruit derived AHA’s and delivers some serious benefits when it comes to battling breakouts. Sebum balancing, hydration, repair, smoothing and the added bonus of probiotics to balance the skin’s microbiome, just to name a few! The perfect follow up to your cleanser.
AHA Face Exfoliant
Our powerful 2-in-1 exfoliator stimulates cell turnover to encourage skin smoothing and brightening. Containing Potent AHA’s derived from Sugar Cane and Bilberry, you’ll achieve a deep exfoliation without the irritation. LAMAV’s AHA Face Exfoliant contains Fine Bamboo particles and Diatomaceous Earth to gently remove dead cells, however if you have broken skin or inflamed breakouts we suggest you limit scrubbing over these areas to avoid potential irritation.
Bakuchiol (Plant Based, Natural Retinol Alternative)
Vitamin A is a proven ingredient well known for its impressive results on ageing and acne prone skin. It has the ability to stimulate collagen production, encourage cellular turnover and smooth the skin. Although this ingredient is ideal for acne and may assist with scarring, it can be harsh on the skin, can cause irritation and isn’t recommended to use for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you haven’t heard of Bakuchiol, let us introduce you. This natural alternative to Vitamin A/Retinol has shown to give impressive results when it comes to ageing and acne prone skin, without the irritation. Suitable for all skin types (including pregnant and breastfeeding!) LAMAV’s Bakuchiol Booster is the perfect addition to your weekly skincare routine.
Formulated with 4% Bakuchiol, LAMAV’s natural retinol alternative fights wrinkles, dullness and acne. It combines the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with Australian native bio-actives to improve skin structure, protect the skin with powerful antioxidants and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Apply after cleansing and toning, prior to moisturiser application a few times per week for best results.
Vitamin A Repair Oil
LAMAV’s award winning Vitamin A Repair Oil contains 2% bakuchiol to boost collagen and elastin production for smoother, brighter skin.
The addition of Raspberry, Baobab and Sea Buckthorn oils carefully selected for their anti-inflammatory and non-comedogenic properties will repair and strengthen the skin to help reduce the appearance of scarring. Massaging facial oil over a recent breakout can also reduce the accumulation of scar tissue, assisting the skin to repair smoothly. Pair your facial oil with our Facial Roller or Gua Sha for additional skin smoothing and bio-active absorption benefits.
Vitamin C
Essential for normal skin function, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which helps to fight the effects of ageing while brightening the skin and reducing pigmentation. A must have daily skincare ingredient that benefits all complexions, but particularly assists those with an uneven skin tone - including scarring. Vitamin C also works to support collagen production, assists with wound healing and protects against further damage from environmental stressors.
Find this antioxidant powerhouse in these LAMAV Organic Products:
Daily Vitamin C Serum
Your daily skincare BFF, this highly-concentrated Vitamin C serum will target discolouration and brighten your complexion. Bursting with potent bio-actives including Vitamin C, Kakadu Plum and Marine Extracts, you’ll strengthen collagen and elastin production for an evenly-toned, radiant complexion.
Vitamin C Brightening Oil
If our Vitamin C Serum is your daily BFF, then LAMAV’s Brightening Oil is your skin’s nighttime bestie! This lightweight Vitamin C oil contains all the Vitamin C goodness that comes with our daily serum, with the addition of antioxidant rich, brightening oils to promote a smooth and even complexion. A fantastic lightweight, brightening oil all for all skin types.
Beauty Tools - Dermal Roller
Skincare is great for preventing and brightening scars, but can work even more effectively with a little help from micro-needling. Skin needling with a Dermal Roller is an effective at home treatment for reducing acne scarring, thanks to it’s ability to promote collagen and elastin production.
LAMAV’s Micro Dermal Roller contains 540 micro needles that gently create micro-pathways which assist to enhance your skin’s healing process while boosting cellular turnover. If used correctly, at home micro-needling has also been proven to significantly enhance the absorption of skincare bio-actives, making scar busting ingredients such as Vitamin C, A and AHA’s work even more effectively! Hello smooth, plump and glowing skin!
