We take responsibility. For your skin. And our planet.
We take responsibility. For your skin. And our planet.
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How to Use
Step-by-step guide for [product name]
Cleanse skin in the morning and evening: am: to remove the sebum and dead skin cells that have accumulated overnight pm: to remove make-up and free skin from the day’s dirt Use gentle cleansing products such as Eucerin DERMOPURE Cleansing Gel with lukewarm water and follow with an appropriate toner. You may also benefit from using a scrub once a week to unclog pores and refine skin texture. We do not recommend using an alcohol-based toner and the scrub alongside acne medication as it can make skin more sensitive.
The care product you use depends on the severity of your acne and on the type of treatment you are undergoing. If you are using medical treatment for acne, Eucerin DERMOPURE Adjunctive Soothing Cream helps to alleviate some of the symptoms such as intense dryness. It should be applied five minutes after your medication so the treatment can absorb fully. If you have mild to moderate acne, but are not undergoing medical acne treatment, use a soothing and mattifying moisturiser such as Eucerin DERMOPURE Mattifying Fluid in the morning and evening. For clearer and smoother-looking skin over time, you may also like to incorporate our skin renewal treatment into your routine. It is suitable for all blemish-prone skin that is not undergoing medical acne treatment and should be used once a day only − ideally in the evening. You can use it before the mattifying fluid or on its own. If you have blemish-prone skin with post-acne marks you can also use the Eucerin DermoPure Triple Effect Serum and Protective Fluid SPF 30 to reduce post-acne marks and protect them from appearing.
Cover blemishes and even out skin tone with foundation and/or a concealer. Choose products that are non-comedogenic (i.e. that will not block pores) and, ideally, ones that contain ingredients that work to improve the condition of blemish-prone skin. Be sure to remove all make-up before you go to bed.
Main findings
Ingredients
We choose all our ingredients with great care and never compromise on quality. Learn more about the key ingredients of this product.
The ingredients in our brand products are updated regularly. For this reason, occasionally there may be discrepancies between the ingredients on our website and on our product packaging. We therefore recommend that you always pay attention to the information on our product packaging and check the ingredients listed there.
Salicylic acid is a Beta-hydroxy-acid with keratolytic, comedolytic and antibacterial effects. It should only be used on small areas as it may dry out the skin.
BHA stands for Beta hydroxy acid. At Eucerin, we use the BHA Salicylic acid. This small lipophilic acid penetrates into pores for deep pore cleansing, dissolves dead skin cells and controls sebum production.
PHA stands for Poly hydroxy acid. At Eucerin, we use the PHA Gluconolactone. With its hydroxy groups and larger molecular size, this exfoliating acid penetrates more slowly to the skin. Therefore, it is especially suitable for sensitive skin. It moisturises and makes skin more even and smoother.
What are post-acne marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH for short)?
PIH is a type of hyperpigmentation of the skin that is mainly triggered by the way skin regenerates after inflammation. It can affect the face and body, especially UV-exposed areas, and appears as flat spots of hyper-colouration. These range in colour from pink to red, brown or black, depending on skin tone and the depth of hyper-colouration. The root cause is increased melanin production, the pigment that defines the colour of a person’s skin, which is stimulated by inflammatory factors. The blemish triggers melanocytes – the melanin-producing cells – to release excessive melanosomes (pigment granules). The excessive pigment granules darken and discolour the formerly stressed area. Once initial blemishes have subsided, spots of hyper-colouration, so-called post-acne marks, can remain.
Additionally, sun exposure can aggravate PIH symptoms, darkening the affected patches and prolonging the time it takes for them to fade. Most acne-related PIH will eventually fade over time, but it can take several years or even a decade until it is fully gone*.
*Abad-Casintahan, F. et al., “Frequency and Characteristics of Acne-Related Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation.” J Dermatol. 2016; 43:826–828.
Who is affected by post-acne marks?
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is common among many acne sufferers since a root cause for acne is inflammation. Those post-acne marks left behind after blemishes subsided can be even more aggravating and emotionally distressing than acne itself. People are equally susceptible, and all skin types can get post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, although it is more prevalent in darker tones of skin, with over 65% of the Black Americans experiencing it, followed by 53% of Hispanics, 47% of Asians and 25% of Caucasians*. This means that we need effective and tolerable skincare fighting both blemishes and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation for consumers all over the world.
* Kaufman et al., Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018; 19:489–503, Perkins et al., JEADV. 2011; 25(9):1054–1060.
How frequent are post-acne marks?
Up to 87% of the people who suffer from acne are also affected by post-acne marks. This is a big cause of stigmatisation and often becomes a huge part of those suffering from acne.
That is why Eucerin's global social mission aims to promote social inclusion of individuals and groups of all ages affected by dermatological conditions. It's important to remember that acne is a common condition that affects many people, and there is no shame in seeking help or treatment.
For a link to our study showing the effects of post-acne hyperpigmentation on happiness and confidence, click here.
How can post-acne marks be prevented?
PIH is mainly triggered by the way skin regenerates after an inflammation. To prevent it, though there are no guarantees, avoid picking at or pressing your pimples. The best prevention is, however, to target acne-related PIH at the root, meaning preventing blemishes from appearing and getting inflamed. Use an effective cleanser like the Eucerin® DermoPurifyer Triple Effect Cleansing Gel.
Additionally, sun exposure can aggravate PIH symptoms, so we recommend sun protection. Limit the time you spend in the sun and keep out of the sun during its most intense hours. Wear protective clothing and sun hats whenever possible and apply a sun protection factor of at least 30, to protect marks from darkening and help prevent new marks from appearing by using specialised skincare like Eucerin® Dermopurifyer Protective Fluid SPF 30.
What are AHAs?
AHA stands for alpha-hydroxy acid. At Eucerin, we use the AHA Glycolic acid, an acid originally derived from sugar cane. This peeling acid has a very small molecular size, makes skin smoother, more even and opens pores, without compromising on barrier structures of the skin.
It promotes exfoliation by reducing cell adhesion in the epidermis and increasing cell turnover. Furthermore, it increases the biosynthetic capacity of collagen and builds support structure in the dermal matrix to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
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