
Ingredient Highlight: Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is a superstar ingredient that offers many skin benefits. Keep reading to learn more about its properties, its use in skincare and who it’s good for.
Congested skin. Clogged pores. Acne. Blackheads. These are some of the things that you may face (pun totally intended 😌) if your skin is on the oily side.
Actually, let’s backtrack a little and talk about that last symptom: Blackheads.
In case you’re unaware, blackheads happen when the pores become clogged with sebum, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria. When this build-up is exposed to air, it oxidizes and turns black. In dermatology, these are referred to as “open comedones”.
But.
What if I told you…
...that some of the blackheads on your nose…
...might not actually be blackheads at all?
And that they might actually be something that's referred to as “sebaceous filaments” (SF).
I know. I know. “Graydon, what the hell do you mean? What’s seba-whatever-that-is-laments?” 👁👄👁
Just hear me out. As you know, our skin has pores. These tiny openings are located all over our body, except for the palm of our hands and the soles of our feet. Now, underneath our pores are sebaceous glands where sebum is made. In order for the sebaceous glands to pump sebum to our pores, they need a path for the sebum to be transferred.
Sebaceous filaments are the “tubes” that allow sebum to be transferred to the pores. And they look like tiny black or dark gray spots on the surface of your pores - similar to how blackheads look.
Therefore, some of the “blackheads'' on your nose might actually be sebaceous filaments.
And. they. are. totally. natural!!!
The truth is, you cannot get rid of them, which is just fine in my humble opinion. They’re a normal part of who we are and it’s nothing you should stress over.
With that being said, there are certain things you can do to minimize the appearance of SFs if they're a concern of yours. Here are 6 DOs and DON’Ts for you to manage your SFs:
Here’s my final note: Sometimes, using skincare products might not be enough to keep a particular skin concern in check. I always recommend seeing a dermatologist or an aesthetician.
__________________
Skincare is SO confusing! I understand. Why? Because I’ve been there, done that. Click here, as I might just have the solution for you 😉
Azelaic acid is a superstar ingredient that offers many skin benefits. Keep reading to learn more about its properties, its use in skincare and who it’s good for.