The Many Faces of Acne

The word "acne" usually evokes a certain image. Whether you call it "pizza face" or something even more insulting, you're probably imagining something like this:

In reality, however, acne takes many forms.

1. Non-Inflamed: Don't get lulled into a false sense of security; "non-inflamed" doesn't translate to "non-problematic." It includes

Whiteheads: trapped sebum under the skin

Blackheads: open pores to the surface; sebum oxidizes and darkens.

2. Inflammatory Acne: This is where the "sauce" of that pizza face comes in; expect redness.

Papule: Occurs when the follicle wall breaks. White blood cells rush in and inflammation occurs.

Pustule: A pustule forms a few days after a papule. This is the classic zit.

Cyst: This is when the pustule collapses or explodes, severely inflaming the surrounding skin; may engulf a neighboring follicle. This causes a large, pus-filled lesion called a cyst.

Nodule: When a follicle ruptures along the bottom, a large inflamed bump occurs that is sore to the touch.

These are just the most common forms of acne. Stop by next week to learn about the lesser-known varieties.

*While GR8/SKN products aren't formulated as "acne treatments," they are effective at minimizing risk, treating lesions, and reducing scarring. Check out the line here!

Behind the Scenes of GR8/SKN Branding

Think of how frequently you change your Facebook profile picture. Once a month? Maybe once a day. Or even every time you snap a good selfie, for that matter. A company's "brand" is something like a profile picture. It needs to encapsulate the image and qualities that you want to present to your potential customers. Here at GR8/SKN, we have cycled through a few renditions, and I'm going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at our brand's evolution.

Our first logo--and the one to which we have returned!

Original labels.

Problem? There wasn't enough differentiation between the products.

New logo design that was eventually discarded.

Finally, we've settled on our latest branding: it is gender-neutral, differentiated, and youthful! Look for it on shelves soon.

5 Skin Tips for Athletes

You already know that exercise is important—whether you hear it from your running suit-wearing gym teacher or from some enviable Instagram fitness expert. Of course, the best kind of exercise is the kind that you don't even perceive, like playing sports. Just think: when you are running down-field to score that goal or diving into your lap lane, are you thinking "Wow, I'm getting a really great cardio work-out"? No, you are immersed in the athletic experience; the fitness benefits are subconscious.

Unfortunately, just as you are unaware of these health benefits, you're also probably unaware of the potential skin problems that you might be causing.

Tennis: You don't wear helmets and you spend all day in the sun. Be sure to apply—and reapply—sunscreen during practice and matches.

Soccer: Wearing one of those headbands that all the European "footballers" are sporting? You might be Euro-chic, but pinning that sweat-soaked band to your forehead might produce some unwanted breakouts. Right after you guzzle your Gatorade, wash your face.

Baseball: Those hats and helmets may minimize sun exposure, but they are also the perfect recipe for clogged pores—especially around your hairline. Be sure to wash as soon as practice is over.

Golf: You may not be breaking a sweat, but golf tournaments are usually an all-day affair, which means you're soaking up plenty of UV radiation. Screen, screen, screen!

Swimming: Contrary to what you might think, that cool, crystal water you're slicing through with your butterfly stroke is actually drying your skin out. Make sure to moisturize regularly.

The Gut-Skin Connection

We've all heard about the mind-body connection—you know, how you can supposedly get over cold symptoms by thinking that you're not sick anymore. Recent research, however, shows that there is also a connection between the gut—your intestinal tract—and your skin. That's right: a malfunctioning digestive system might be the culprit behind those acne flare-ups. 

A condition known as the "leaky gut" (or in biologically accurate terms, "intestinal permeability") has been correlated with bad skin. Additionally, intestinal inflammation and stress (hello finals week!) contribute to skin redness and irritation. Who needs a GI specialist to tell you that your gut is out-of-whack when you have the evidence plastered all over your face? 

But there is something to be said for the connection between the skin and the digestive tract. Ever wonder why so many health experts recommend consuming probiotics? It's precisely because of this connection that probiotics are so effective in promoting skin health. While you can find probiotics naturally in many foods—like yogurt—you won't find them in non-fermented dairy. Sorry, but that mint-chocolate-chip ice-cream cone isn't going to help your acne.