Episode Title: K-Beauty Hacks for Hormonal Acne - Episode 82 of the Korean Beauty Show Podcast
Episode Summary:
The truth is, acne doesn’t always magically stop when we turn 20 and, for some, affects us as adults. When adults suffer from pimples and breakouts this is referred to as "hormonal acne".
On today's episode, we’re going to explore some K-Beauty hacks for hormonal acne, as well as some skincare products and ingredients that can help.
K-BEAUTY NEWS HEADLINES - Song Hye Kyo reveals that washing her face with milk is the secret to her flawless skin
Song Hye Kyo recently revealed the secret to her flawless skin is cleansing with milk. We take a look at the benefits of milk and whether this is one trend to try.
Question of the Week: Why do some Vitamin C serums smell like hot dog water?
In general, you'll notice that the products that get these comments tend to have the combination of L Ascorbic Acid with Ferulic acid and Vitamin E.
Jessica Body at the Cut shared her research, revealing that there is no scientific reason for it.
So why do we think Vitamin C serums smell like hot dog water?
It could be that because someone told you that’s what it smells like you are more likely to agree with them.
If you're looking to avoid this smell, then stick to Vitamin C products based on fruit extracts. Products made on a base of Yuja, Tangerine, Pineapple, Sea Buckthorn etc or even better, a propolis serum.
The Truth About Hormonal Acne
Most of us think of acne as a teenage issue. If only that were the case!
It’s also not uncommon for those who didn’t suffer from teenage acne to see pimples pop up in our 20’s and even 30’s.
What is hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne, which can also be referred to as adult acne, is breakouts that occur well beyond puberty and our teenage years.
Fungal Acne vs Hormonal Acne
Fungal acne pops up when an excess of yeast develops on the skin.
Hormonal acne on the other hand is caused by excess sebum.
What causes hormonal acne?
In short, hormonal acne is caused by an excess of sebum production. Our skin relies on the balance of two hormones: Androgen and Estrogen. When these two fall out of harmony with each other the result can be acne.
A soothing gel for face and body is formulated with Jeju aloe extract, which hydrates tired-looking skin.
Rather than using all of the plant, Innisfree has used the fleshy part of the plant to make their aloe extract. This helps to prevent moisture loss in the skin.
Hormonal acne can be especially frustrating because it is largely out of our control. However, there are certain things we can do which can help.
Reducing stress;
Ensuring the body is fully rested;
Avoid picking or squeezing
Avoiding areas of high pollution
Skincare
What K-Beauty products can you use when you have hormonal acne?
The most important thing we can do for hormonal acne is keeping the skin nice and clean. This is not the same thing as over-cleansing.
There is no need to clean your skin more than twice a day. In particular, using harsh cleansers or cleansing too often can strip the skin of essential oils and irritate it further.
Your night-time routine should be a key focus, as this is when skin replenishes and recovers itself while you sleep. It is vital to clear away any makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum that has built up throughout the day before bed.
What is it: A wound dressing. It began in hospitals, but it has been adapted as a skincare solution.
What does it do: It creates a moistened environment to heal wounds.The gelling agent used in hydrocolloid is water binding, meaning it draws fluids to it. Hydrocolloid draws fluid out of wounds.
What is it: The trail of the snail (not the snail itself!). For more info on snail mucin and how it is collected, read uphere.
What does it do: This is a great ingredient because it naturally contains a heap of skin-friendly ingredients, including proteins, elastin, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid and copper peptides. It effectively repairs sun damage and is especially helpful for mature skin, acne, uneven skin tone and acne scarring. It also has cleansing properties that help avoid bacteria.
What is it: The leaves or extract from the green tea plant.
What does it do: Soothes skin and helps prevent redness. Green tea leaves contain amino acids, minerals, polyphenol and protein, which give life and vitality to the skin, to keep it healthy.
What is it: Centella Asiatica (AKA “Cica” and “Tiger’s Grass”) is a plant that grows in the marshy soils of Southeast Asia, Australia, and Africa.
What does it do: Containing proteins, beta-carotene, essential fatty acids, and phytochemicals, Centella Asiatica is known for its restorative effects and wound healing characteristics.
Need help with your hormonal acne skincare routine?
If you are suffering from hormonal acne and are wanting a skincare routine tailored just for you, simply reach out to one of us at the STYLE STORY team. We are always here to help you find the perfect matches for your skin.