Acne is one of the most common skin disorders to affect most people at some point in life. A skin disease of the hair follicle and sebaceous -- or oil -- gland, acne appears to be a genetic disease caused by the abnormal buildup of dead skin cells in the area known as the follicular wall, the presence of bacteria and the production of sebum that results in skin inflammation.

It can often be dismissed as a minor affliction that requires no treatment and, believing it to be a phase, many people avoid seeking medical advice. Unfortunately, permanent scarring of the skin can result. And because the onset of acne coincides with puberty, it can be especially troubling to adolescents, affecting their self-image, emotional stability -- and their ability to enjoy life.

While it's true that adolescents are more frequently affected by acne than adults, adults comprise the majority of office visits to physicians.

Most intense on the face, chest, back and upper area of the outer arms -- where sebaceous glands are largest and most numerous -- Acne may be little, with only a few eruptions, or it may show up in highly inflammable and diffusely scarring forms.

Acne has no single cause and, according to experts, can be caused by:
hyperkeratosis (buildup of dead skin cells)
oil secretion
bacteria accumulation
androgenic hormones

Other factors, such as cosmetics with comedogenic -- or pore -- clogging -- ingredients, hormone therapies and selected chemicals may aggravate the condition. Additionally, people prone to acne have an abnormally high level of dead cells and pores that easily become clogged.

After in-depth studies, scientists have established that the material extracted from these follicles contains bacteria thought to be involved in the development of acne.

In its more complex forms, acne requires medical treatment, usually with topical or systemic antibiotics and therapies such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Glycolic acid is also an excellent treatment that can be used in conjunction with other therapies to help improve some acne conditions because it reduces the buildup of dead skin cells. It also acts as an effective cleansing agent for problem-prone skin. Maintaining the clarity of the follicle helps prevent further follicular blockage.

Simply put, hyperpigmentation modifies the coloring of the skin because of an excess of pigment known as hyperpigmentation or, conversely, a lack of pigmentation known as hypopigmentation.

These discolorations do not disappear through washing or cleansing -- and they usually remain for a long time, and sometimes for a lifetime.

Due to excessive sun exposure, sun damage and hormonal imbalance or skin inflammation from trauma, hyperpigmentation may be expressed as dark spots on the face, neck, torso and arms because of an uneven accumulation of pigment in the upper layers of the skin -- the epidermis.

Cells called melanocyte are responsible for skin pigmentation in humans. Located in the lower level of the epidermis, these cells produce a complex brown-black color substance called melanin that travels to the upper skin layers, giving the skin its color.

The darker the overall skin color, the greater the amount of melanin within the skin. Dark-skinned people produce melanin more easily than people with lighter skin, allowing them to tan quickly with minimal burning. People with fair complexions usually produce less melanin, and often burn or get freckles.

Sunlight stimulates melanin production. This increased production results in a greater melanin concentration on the skin surface and, at the same time, a darkening of the exposed areas. The most common varieties of hyperpigmentation include:

freckles: small brown spots on sun-exposed areas
age spots: small, evenly pigmented, light to dark brown spots on sun-exposed or nonsun-exposed areas
melasma (also know as a pregnancy mask): irregular patches of light to dark areas usually seen on the face
postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: random dark spots in areas of previous inflammation, such as acne

Factors such as race, genetic influence, hormonal imbalances, UV light exposure and even surface skin irritation -- such as friction, scratching, rubbing or acne injury -- are responsible for altering melanin production and changes in skin color.

Melasma appears in patches, and is believed to result from hormonal changes that often occur during pregnancy or estrogen therapy. These hormonal changes cause pigment-producing cells to increase melanin production in an uneven pattern, resulting in color-alteration patches that can cover a wider area (sometimes the entire cheek, forehead or upper lip).

When hyperpigmentation is the result of melanin accumulation on the skin surface, glycolic acid-based products help to lighten darkened areas because of exfoliation properties that help to eliminate accumulated melanin. In this case, the use of a skin-lightening lotion, while not essential, will accelerate the lightening process.

For melasma, a skin-lightening lotion based on a therapeutic bleaching agent, such as hydroquinone, should be used in conjunction with glycolic acid such as MEGAmakeup Skin Care Glycolic Gel.

Skin is affected by two types of aging -- intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging.

Intrinsic aging is inevitable. Genetic and chronological in nature, it is caused by the normal aging process. Visible signs include:

dry skin
wrinkles
loss of skin elasticity
irregular skin color

Extrinsic aging, which is environmental, is much more dramatic. Caused almost exclusively by sun and environmental exposure, it is the primary factor behind the visible signs of aging skin such as dryness, sun damage and deep wrinkling. Additionally, nearly 90% of all aging skin is sun-induced, while 80% of sun-related skin damage is due to sun exposure before the age of 18.

The most significant changes in sun-damaged skin are:

increased roughness
increased hyperpigmentation
greater loss of elasticity
greater wrinkling
increased risk of skin cancer

Skin dehydration is one of the most common skin conditions. It's lack of sufficient moisture in the cellular system and intercellular channels. Dehydrated skin looks dry, scaly and flaky. It feels tight and dry. When gently pulled, the skin "crinkles" similar to pulling a corner of very thin tissue paper. Sometimes the skin appears as if it had an additional thin layer of skin placed on top. This is particularly evident on the forehead and nose area.

Skin dehydration is caused by excessive perspiration, lacking of sufficient sebum to prevent evaporation of natural moisture from the skin, poor metabolism, and insufficient water intake. Dehydration is aggravated by atmospheric conditions including too much exposure from the sun and wind; not using sunscreen and/or daytime protective moisturizers; using inappropriate skin care products; cleansing with harsh soaps and water; drinking tea, coffee, diuretics, or soda; and not drinking enough water.

The care for skin dehydration requires the use of protective sunscreen as well as hydrating moisturizers. The dermis skin layer provides the skin with its greatest moisture content. The way to maintain this moisture within the skin is the use the proper protective skin care ingredients. These ingredients are able to form a thin layer of film on the surface of the skin, greatly reducing the loss of inner moisture. They also tend to be large in molecular structure. Water-binding or hydrating (hygroscopic) moisturizers are also essential as they assist incorporate water into the skin. Please note: use of water-binding moisturizers does not eliminate the need for a protective sunscreen moisturizer. Water not only needs to be placed within the skin; it also needs to be retained. Some examples of film-forming molecules found in moisturizers include collagen, dimethicone, and hyaluronic acid. Among the key hygroscopic moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, glycolic and lactic acids, and urea. In addition to moisturizers with these ingredients, proper care can include the application of hydrating masks on a weekly or biweekly basis, depending on the severity of skin dehydration.