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Friday, May 23, 2014

Battle of the Sexes: Guy-Versus Girl-Acne

Sure girls have it rough; between childbirth, periods, and cellulite, it seems that our sex got the short end of the biological stick.

But there is one exception: acne. Owing to higher concentrations of testosterone, young men tend to have more severe acne flare-ups during the teenage years than their female counterparts. What is it about testosterone that implicates it so strongly in the emergence of acne?


Testosterone works with the enzyme 5a reductase to create di-hydrotestosterone, which  stimulates the sebaceous glands. These glands then increase sebum production, which leads to oilier skin and a higher risk for blocked follicles. These clogged follicles become the progenitors of acne lesions.

Of course, girls aren't off the hook. Two-to-seven days preceding the menstrual cycle, women experience decreased estrogen and elevated progesterone levels, which often result in breakouts. There are treatments to mitigate these symptoms: oral contraceptives and vitamin A are two popular options. Perhaps menstrual breakouts are Mother Nature's way of balancing out the more severe testosterone-driven acne that afflicts young men!


GR8SKN products, however, are not gender-specific; they are formulated to treat guys and girls equally!

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