Why have I got acne? The skin’s microbiota holds the answer
05/05/2025Why have I got acne? The skin’s microbiota holds the answer
05/05/2025
Getting spots during adolescence is more common than you might think... but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. When juvenile acne appears, the first thing you usually do is look for an instant spot removal cream. You don’t realise that a lot of acne treatments only act on the visible symptoms, not on the real cause of the problem: skin microbiota imbalance.
In this article, we explore the main options available for tackling juvenile acne, ranging from medical treatments to dermocosmetic products. At the end of the article, we will introduce you to a new, skin-friendly biotechnology solution that helps to reduce blemishes by addressing the cause of the problem in a natural, skin-friendly manner.
Why spots appear: the factor that not all acne treatments take into account
Understanding why spots appear is the first step towards treating acne. With acne, several factors combine and act on the skin, but science has recently identified a key factor that connects everything together: skin microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis). This imbalance in the type and quantity of microorganisms living on your skin may increase drastically, or amplify all of the other mechanisms involved in acne: excess sebum, clogged pores and inflammation. We explain all of this to you here: Why have I got acne? The skin’s microbiota holds the answer.
If we take this into account, it’s obvious that tackling the cause of acne - i.e. restoring skin microbiota balance - can also help cure all of the other problems. However, not all currently available acne treatments do this: many of them, aiming to get rid of spots, actually end up destroying this balance and damaging the skin’s ecosystem.
What do dermatologists recommend for acne?
When talking about how to treat juvenile acne, the first thing we need to understand is that everyone’s skin is different. This is why dermatologists weigh up what the most suitable option is for a given individual, taking into account how old they are, what type of acne they have and how serious it is, and how likely they are to see the treatment through. Specialists can combine different solutions to tackle the diverse factors involved in acne:
Topical or oral medical treatments
Dermocosmetic products specifically for acne-prone skin
We must bear in mind that all of them need a certain amount of time to show results: there is no such thing as an instant spot removal cream.
Medical treatments for juvenile acne
There are different types of medical treatments prescribed by dermatologists that have been proven effective in removing spots.
To choose the most suitable one for each individual, dermatologists refer to international guidelines on which treatments or combination of treatments to prescribe, discuss the risks with the patient concerned and monitor their progress closely.
Topical treatments for acne: acne creams
Topical treatments are the most frequently used for mild to moderate cases of acne. These products are applied directly to the skin to reduce blemishes, control sebum production and fight acne-related bacteria.
The most commonly prescribed include:
Retinoids:
reduce serum production and normalise flaking.
Benzoyl peroxide:
an antibacterial agent, but with no effect on sebum production.
Azelaic acid:
with exfoliative action, also reducing inflammation and bacterial levels. It has not been found to have any effect on sebum production.
Topical antibiotics:
with antibacterial action. The Spanish Academy of Dermatology does not recommend their prescription as a single treatment, in order to prevent the risk of resistances developing. Their potential impact on skin microbiota also needs to be considered.
Oral treatments:
acne tablets
When juvenile acne is more serious or does not respond to other treatments, the dermatologist may recommend oral medication. The most commonly used include oral antibiotics, contraceptives (for women with hormonal acne) and oral retinoids such as isotretinoin.
Oral contraceptives can be effective for removing spots caused by hormonal imbalances (highly common during adolescence), because they help to regulate the levels of androgens that cause excess sebum production in the skin.
Oral isotretinoin is only used for more serious or persistent cases of juvenile acne. Although is it one of the most effective acne treatments, it does have side effects so its use must always be assessed and monitored by a dermatologist. It is a teratogenic medicine (harmful to foetuses), so should not be used during pregnancy and for six months after giving birth.
What are the side effects
of acne treatments?
Although effective, many medical treatments, whether acne creams or tablets, can have side effects. Among the most common are skin dryness, irritation, redness and flaking.
But there are also less visible effects that could affect skin health in the long term, such as skin microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis). These acne treatments can therefore usefully be complemented with skin-friendly dermocosmetic products that help restore skin microbiota balance, such as Vincobiosis® Acneic, which is obtained using plant biotechnology, to cleanse your skin deeply and give it the care it needs without damaging its ecosystem.
Dermocosmetics for acne-prone skin: allies for getting rid of spots and looking after your skin
Dermocosmetic products for oily and acne-prone skin are formulated specifically to help get rid of spots, regulate excess sebum and care for the skin.
Dermatologists may recommend these products on their own, or as a complement to medical treatments to improve outcomes and the daily wellbeing of young people:
They reduce the side effects of medication, such as dryness or irritation.
They increase the efficacy of drugs when used in conjunction with them (synergistic effect).
They reduce the risk of complications such as the scarring or marks that acne can leave behind.
They improve quality of life for acne sufferers, soothing the skin and making it feel more comfortable.
But this cannot be said for all products. If you want to get rid of your spots effectively without damaging your skin, always choose an acne cream with ingredients that are gentle on skin microbiota.
Vincobiosis® Acneic, the new biotechnology solution that gently tackles the root of the problem
The problem is not the bacteria that cause acne.
The problem arises when they get out of control... and group together to attack your skin.
Vincobiosis® Acneic is the new skincare routine for your acne-prone skin that tackles the root of the problem: it restores balance to your skin’s microbiota. Instead of killing bacteria or damaging their ecosystem, its biotechnology ingredient Canonia Allysis® draws on plant defence mechanisms and blocks communication between bacteria (quorum sensing) to prevent them from coordinating and causing spots and blemishes to appear.
Key ingredient Canonia Allysis® is found in the three products making up the gentle skincare regime for face and body:
- Dermo-balancing cleansing mousse. Find out more.
- Dermo-balancing facial gel cream. Find out more.
- Dermo-balancing body lotion spray. Find out more.
Welcome to the new era of skin-friendly care.
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