Grainy Skin on Face: Understanding and Treating Blemishes

It's morning, you look in the mirror and there, you can't believe your eyes! A blackhead appeared on your nose during the night! 😱 And that little whitehead there, at the corner of your mouth, it wasn't there yesterday either...

Don't panic! Having grainy facial skin happens, and most importantly, you can fight against these little imperfections that ruin your life. 💪

So, ready to learn all about the causes and prevention of that gritty skin on your face ? Let's get started!

The epidermis is the part of the skin you can see and touch. It is covered by a barrier called the hydrolipidic film . This barrier protects you from bacteria and toxins and contributes to the suppleness of your skin.

The epidermis is also, among other things, the site of production of cells called keratinocytes. Despite their barbaric name, they are very important because they secrete keratin, which provides additional skin protection against external threats. Keratinocytes are constantly renewed to ensure keratin production is always ensured.

Sometimes this exfoliation process is disrupted and dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin, causing the skin to change texture, becoming rough and granular.

Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis, a thick yet elastic intermediate layer. It is composed of elastin and collagen, which give it a certain flexibility. It is to your skin what a frame is to a house: a real support! 🏠 It repairs and protects damaged epidermal tissue.

It contains the glands that produce perspiration and sebum as well as the roots of hair and hair.

It is also a bulwark against external aggressions such as the sun for example. However, the appearance or exposure to factors such as pollution or aging weakens it permanently. The skin then becomes more vulnerable to imperfections and irregularities .

It's the last layer of skin, located below the dermis and epidermis. It's mostly composed of adipose tissue, fat in short! It's the glass wool of your skin! 👷 Thermal insulator, energy reserve, shock absorber... its roles are multiple and very important.

Since it's made of fat, it will influence the volume and firmness of your skin. The shape of your face has a direct link to it. If its sebum production is impaired, subcutaneous imperfections such as microcysts can appear.

But then, what exactly are a microcyst and a blackhead?

A microcyst is an accumulation of sebum and dead skin cells in a skin pore. This forms a so-called “closed” comedo because the accumulation is located inside the skin, without contact with the air. There is therefore no oxidation, because a thin layer of skin covers it. It is often associated with acne and appears as an unsightly whitehead. It is most often located on areas rich in sebum: the T-zone of the face, the forehead, the chin, the nose or the cheeks.

A blackhead is also an accumulation of sebum and other cells in a skin pore. The difference with the microcyst is that it is said to be "open" because the excess fat it contains is in contact with the air. It is also the oxidation of this plug that gives it its characteristic black color. Its areas of appearance are the same as for a microcyst, but they can also be found on the back.

Certain vitamins are true allies for granular skin . Retinoids come from vitamin A. Retinol is an active ingredient that unclogs pores and stimulates collagen production, which plumps and firms the skin. It accelerates cell renewal, which strengthens the epidermis and prevents excess dead cells from sloughing off the skin's surface. The epidermis becomes thicker and more resilient, and the appearance of microcysts and blackheads is reduced.

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that is essential to the body. It acts primarily on the skin barrier by strengthening the protective hydrolipidic film of the epidermis. It stimulates the production of collagen, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Niacinamide is the best friend of oily, acne-prone skin. It has an anti-inflammatory action that regulates sebum production and prevents imperfections . Finally, it reduces redness and irritation. It's the worst nightmare of granular facial skin ! 😱

Zinc is a trace element with antioxidant properties. It prevents skin aging. It is very suitable for inflammatory acne or skin granulation problems. Appropriate supplementation may be sufficient to cover our daily zinc needs.

Using cosmetic products containing these different active ingredients is a great way to combat microcysts and blackheads! 🥊

A gentle, soap-free, and non-comedogenic cleanser is the foundation for proper skin cleansing. The goal is to gently remove excess sebum and impurities by cleansing your skin daily. A product that's too harsh will dry out the skin and damage the skin barrier.

The second essential step is to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to help it regenerate and breathe. Most dead skin is eliminated naturally, but sometimes a little help is needed. Products based on AHA or BHA acids exfoliate deep into the skin's pores. Avoid mechanical scrubs that are a little too abrasive on granular facial skin .

To moisturize your skin, continue to use gentle products like light creams or moisturizing gels. To keep your skin supple and resilient, ingredients like hyaluronic acid are safe bets. Above all, don't skip the moisturizing step. It's underestimated, but essential for making imperfections disappear.

As we saw above, prolonged exposure to the sun promotes the appearance of blackheads and other joys! Applying suitable sunscreen to your skin is therefore essential to protect it from UV damage, which aggravates imperfections ! ☀️

Understanding how blemishes occur is the first step in knowing how to treat them properly. Having granular facial skin isn't inevitable! With the right routine, microcysts and blackheads can take care of themselves!

Using the right products and simple steps like gentle, daily facial cleansing will help you get rid of skin imperfections . So now it's your turn! 👍