Find Out What Acne Is and How to Treat It!
Indonesians are inherently prone to facial skin problems caused by sebum. One such problem is acne, with a prevalence of up to 40-80%. In contrast, its global prevalence is much lower, at only 9.4%.[1]
Although its prevalence is high, many people still do not know why acne appears on the face or how to treat it. In fact, many do not know what this skin problem looks like or how it differs from other skin problems.
Therefore, learn what acne is and how to treat it, from its symptoms and triggers to ways of managing it!
Symptoms of Acne

Actually, distinguishing acne from other facial skin problems is not difficult. You can recognize acne by the following symptoms:
- Lumps under the skin that protrude upwards.
- Reddish in color.
- Sometimes there is a yellow color from pus.
- Pain accompanied by a burning sensation in the lump is not uncommon.
- Appears on the entire face, from the forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose to behind the ears.
- Sometimes it appears on other parts of the body that produce sebum, such as the back and scalp.
Causes of Acne

Now that you know its symptoms, it is time to explore what causes acne on the cheeks and other areas of the face and body. It turns out that these lumps can appear due to chronic inflammation in the pilosebaceous unit caused by an infection with Cutibacterium acnes.[2] Its triggers are also very diverse, namely:
- Sun exposure and UV radiation.
- Consumption of lithium, steroids, or anticonvulsant medications.
- Hormonal imbalance during stress.
- Using moisturizers and other skincare products that are occlusive or absorb water.
- Using cosmetics with oil-based ingredients.
- Consumption of foods high in glycemic content, which usually occurs in adolescents.
- Genetic factors that affect the proportion of branched-chain fatty acids in sebum. If your parents have this problem, there is a 50% to 90% chance that you will experience the same.
- Endocrine disorders that cause hormonal imbalance, which usually occur during pregnancy and before menstruation.
- Mechanical trauma from rubbing the face too much and exposure to soap or detergent.
- Increasing sebum production.
- Follicular hyperkeratinization.
- Inflammation of the skin.
How to Treat Acne

Although it is considered a normal condition, you should not let acne continue to grow. Especially if the acne you experience keeps returning in even greater numbers. Here are ways to eliminate acne that keeps growing that you can do.
1. Topical Medications
To this day, the use of topical medications is still the most effective way to eliminate acne. You can use skincare products containing retinoids to treat it. This is because topical retinoids work on follicular keratinocytes and prevent them from becoming clogged.[3]
2. Oral Medications
In addition to external treatment, you also need to treat acne from within. The fastest and most effective way is to take acne medication containing antimicrobials, such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics. However, not everyone is suitable for these medications.
As another safer alternative, you can take herbal medicine that works in the same way. For example, Sido Muncul Herbal Aluss contains many natural ingredients with antimicrobial properties. Some of them are temulawak, lengkuas, bidara laut, and brotowali.
Acne Complications

There is a reason why you need to treat acne as soon as possible. This is because the lumps can cause complications, one of which is scarring that is difficult to remove. Furthermore, if left untreated, acne can develop into a serious disease, such as nodules and cysts.[4]
To avoid this, it is important not to squeeze or pick at the acne lumps. The severity of acne can depend on your skin type, your body's response to medication, and psychological factors.
How to Prevent Acne from Returning

To prevent acne from returning, you need to ensure that no dirt particles, sebum, and dead skin cells are clogged in the follicles so that the pilosebaceous unit does not become inflamed. The easiest way is to wash your face thoroughly and do not forget to perform double cleansing.
Read Also: Benefits of Sido Muncul Herbal Aluss & Its Ingredients
Although it must be done regularly, make sure that you do not wash your face excessively. Using too much soap can make the skin dry and cause excessive sebum production. Just wash your face twice a day in the morning and at night before bed.
In addition, you can also prevent acne from appearing with supplements containing natural antimicrobials such as Sido Muncul Herbal Aluss. This herbal medicine is safe to take regularly. Do not forget to take this supplement every day according to the directions on the packaging!