Seven-day countdown to ending maskne with Miracne

Acne is a skin condition affecting approximately 9.4% of the world’s population and is the eighth most common cutaneous problem. It is extremely common among teenagers – an estimated 85% of this consumer group suffer from acne. Although it typically fades with age, the skin condition is still prevalent among the adult population, of whom approximately 40% of women between the age of 20 and 40 are affected.

Despite the fact that acne is more common among males in adolescence, the opposite is true in adulthood. In addition to age and gender, other factors that influence the pervasiveness of acne are ethnicity and genetics. Lifestyle also seems to affect the presence and severity of acne. And now mechanical acne (commonly known as maskne) has arisen due to the constant wearing of protective masks.

A skin condition of great complexity

Since acne is a condition caused by many factors, treating it can be quite challenging. Acne is caused by four processes:

1. increases and changes in sebum production
2. Cutibacterium acnes (C. Acnes – previously known as Propionibacterium acnes) present on the hair follicles
3. a temporary release of inflammation mediators
4. alterations to the process of keratinisation which leads to the formation of comedones.

When considering the multifactorial complexity of this condition, Chemyunion determined that the key to overcoming acne is focusing on its origin rather than the symptoms of the skin condition. When super proliferation of C. acnes occurs due to excessive sebum, it triggers a dysbiosis – unbalanced skin microbiota. Porphyrins are secreted by C. acnes and can generate species, which react to oxygen, feeding the inflammatory process. Moreover, propionic acid along with inflammatory mediators will stimulate the abnormal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation causing comedones to form. It is now clear that the central part of acne physiopathology lies in the presence and hyper-proliferation of C. acnes.

Innovative multifunctional active ingredient

Miracne (INCI: Propanediol (and) Xylitol (and) Caprylic Acid) was developed as a three-in-one multifunctional active ingredient for the treatment of acne both in teenagers and adults. It acts by working to reduce the levels of acne-causing bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes), the redness associated with acne lesions, and by controlling sebum production. Created using a balanced, synergetic combination of propanediol, xylitol and caprylic acid, all components of Miracne come from renewable sources. This process avoids the use of toxic substances and adheres to many of the precepts of green chemistry.

Available in South Africa from Chemgrit Cosmetics, Miracne is a cruelty-free, vegan and preservative-free ingredient that has been dermatologically tested and proven to be effective in reducing acne-causing bacteria within one minute of application. After seven days, it provides even more noticeable results.

Extremely active at a low concentration of between 0.5% and 1.0%, Miracne can be used in any type of product for the treatment of acne. These include soaps, lotions, tonics, serums, gels. The active can even be combined with other well-known and keratolytic ingredients often used in cosmetics such as salicylic acid and lactic acid.