Why Do Some People Never Get Acne? Genetics & Sebum Explained

You've undoubtedly encountered that one friend who, no matter what, just never breaks out. They can sleep in their makeup, indulge in bingeing high-glycemic-index foods and skip days for the skincare, their face, yet miraculously have the most glowing look. For the longest time, it was believed only lack of sleep, hygiene or an unbalanced unhealthy diet caused acne. But some people are born with biological factors that create natural defenses against acne and the genetic factors affecting skin oil, cell turnover, pore anatomy and the body’s immune system offer the answers to why they're acne-proof and have flawless clear skin. 

Excess Production of Sebum 

Sebum is a bodily fluid synthesized by the cells in the sebaceous glands located in the pilosebaceous unit. It is distributed onto the skin surface with the purpose of lubrication and protection of the skin barrier. It is rich in waxy ester, cholesterol, triglycerides, squalene and other lipids. Often commonly known as skin’s natural oil. The anatomy of the sebaceous glands is guided by the genetic makeup of the individual. The people who never get acne often have genetically less cortisol receptor sensitivity and balanced sebum production by these glands. 

Why Producing Less Oil Means Fewer Breakouts For People Who Never Get Acne?

This sebum has the ability to trap dirt, dust, pollutants, stale makeup residue, sweat and other impurities on the skin surface. It also serves as the food for certain microscopic species that reside harmlessly on the skin surface for the metabolization of sebum. But, if this natural oil is produced in excess by the sebaceous glands, the microbial pathogens responsible for causing acne may also proliferate by feeding over the excess sebum and consequent clogged pores, trigger inflammatory cascade and end up with comedones and pimples. That’s the ultimate reason which signifies the balance and controlled regulation of sebum secretion onto the skin surface to manage acne. The people with gifted genetic predisposition have naturally controlled production and distribution of sebum on the skin, just enough to protect and lubricate the skin without causing clogged pores or frequent breakouts.

Why Does The Thickness Of Your Skin Oil Matters Most?

The thickness of the oil guides its comedogenicity, meaning its power to clog the pores of the skin. It also indicates the ability of the sebum to spread evenly across the skin surface. 

The table describes the spreadability and comedogenicity varies with the consistency of the sebum:

How Optimum Sized Pores Let Oil Escape Freely?

Pore walls that are clean and unclogged push the oil out because they have flexibility and elasticity, pumping the sebum up and out on the surface of the skin before it can set, collecting more dirt and congeal. The pore size is often a sign of the general state of skin's health because dead skin cells don't clog them up to get stuck together with triglycerides and squalene to form sludge to block the outflow of the oil.

How Genetics Is Involved In Shedding Of Dead Cells?

Genetics controls desquamation. Desquamation is the regulated shedding of dead skin cells without clumping. Specific enzymes help degrade corneodesmosomes. In the stratum corneum, corneocytes detach one by one to keep your skin surface smooth and clean. Structural proteins including keratin and filaggrin are involved too. Various enzymes digest corneodesmosomes, allowing the dead cells to detach and be sloughed away one by one. The lipid layer between cells helps preserve the structure of the outer skin layer. If genetic programming fails, dying-cell DNA can become sticky and promote aggregation. Healthy genes also help package cell fragments neatly for immune clearance. The outer skin barrier depends on genes encoding anchoring proteins (CDSN, DSG1 and DSC1).  KLK enzymes- Kallikrein-Related Peptidases (KLK5, KLK7 and KLK14) act as molecular scissors to detach dead cells from skin. These enzymes digest anchoring proteins at the correct time and place. Certain mutations disrupt timing, inhibition or skin acidity, causing scaling skin disorders.

How A Balanced Skin Microbiome Fights Off Pimples?

A healthy skin ecosystem of bacteria may limit acne through competition against other microbes, use space and resources in order to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Genetics and unique skin microbiomes explain why some never get pimples even without a strict skincare routine. The good microbes aid to maintain skin’s acidic pH levels. Beneficial Bacteria in fact, can secrete beneficial compounds called bacteriocins, which may assist with killing acne triggering the bacterium called C. Acnes that reside on our skin and feed on sebum. Sebum, skin microbes' primary source of nourishment and a significant contributor to our genetics contributes to how well or poorly shaped our skin microbiome would become. This will provide a breeding ground where C. Acnes will have food to grow and grow on your skin. When excess oil is produced, a low oxygen environment  encourages C. acnes overgrowth and biofilm formation. Biofilms can bind dead skin cells together and clog pores. In dysbiosis, sebum can oxidize into irritating squalene modification that harms the barrier and beneficial bacteria.

The Role Of Genetics To Prevent Acne Associated Swelling And Redness Early

No acne ever is prevented by simply popping a pimple after it has already formed. Inflammatory acne is largely the result of your genes predetermining just how fiercely your immune system reacts to skin irritants. Once the clogging is started by bacteria and oil, it is your DNA that determines how the body responds. These receptors detect C. Acnes and trigger your skin's immune cells if your genetically predetermined response is sensitive, sending out potent signals immediately. 

Your DNA is responsible for producing numerous cytokines or chemical messengers such as IL-1 and TNF- alpha aka tumor necrosis factor. An overabundance of these can cause blood vessels to widen and draw in water, resulting in swelling and redness. Skin genes will limit the cytokine. Additionally, oxidized sebum can contribute to the swelling at the pore entrance and cause irritation. Genetic differences impact antioxidant genes like glutathione S-transferases and vitamin E transporter genes that will stop oil from breaking down and destabilizing your pore wall. The production of antimicrobial peptides like cathelicidins and defensins may limit bacteria activity early on in the acne inflammation process.

Role of Hormones 

The receptor binding tendency of the certain hormones to their respective binding sites and sensitivity of the binding sites towards the fluctuating levels of hormones inside the body is genetically guided. Your DNA influences how your skin reacts to internal hormonal shifts. An increase in sensitivity of your androgen receptors due to genetics will make oil glands more responsive. Menstrual cycle, stress or PMOS leads to increases in signalling to androgen receptors. This signals oil glands to make much sebum and clog the pore with debris, such as dead cells which get stuck to the oily sebum. Blocked, oil-flushed pores allow C. acnes bacteria to multiply quickly. The immune response then comes to action.  People with gifted hormonal harmony have lowered cortisol sensitivity in sebaceous glands, regulated androgens release and controlled insulin spikes. 

The Simple Ways To Get Clear Skin Just Like People Who Never Get Acne

A consistent skincare routine with improved lifestyle modifications can help get you acne-proof clear skin. A simple but effective skincare regimen will help you in the management of acne-prone skin. 

Follow the steps mentioned below for deep pore cleansing, sebum regulation, improved desquamation and impurity removal from the skin: 

Step 1 Cleansing

Use Alite Anti-Acne Face Wash to gently cleanse the skin. 

It is enriched with the goodness of Sebum Control Enzymes, Charcoal and Ceramides. This trio works altogether to combat excess sebum production, acne causing germs and stubborn dirt. 

You need to wet your face, take a small amount of face wash in your hands and rub to form a rich lather. Gently massage this lather onto your face for some time and rinse well. Dry your skin with a clean towel and move on to the next step. 

Step 2 Barrier Repair

Use Alite Anti Acne Gel to strengthen and repair the skin barrier. It has Niacinamide PC, 1% Contacticel and 6% Silanediol Salicylate. Niacinamide PC is a high purity active that works as a powerful barrier repair agent while Silanediol salicylate also adds up to collagen boosting and keratolysis. Contactiticel is a dermo-purifying active from the marine that strongly fights acne and reduces its occurrence. Apply a small amount of gel directly on the affected area with gentle rubbing.  

Step 3 Moisturization

Use Alite Spots Reduction Cream in P.M. routine. It deeply hydrates the skin and at the same time it fades away the dark spots too. It has 4% Niacinamide, 2% Alpha Arbutin and 5% Liposomal Tranexamic Acid. This trio stops melanin signalling deeper in the skin, blocks tyrosinase (the enzyme behind every dark spot) and stops the pigment from being transferred into your skin cells causing blemishes and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 

Wrapping Up

Genetics largely determine skin oil and pore behavior, a targeted routine can effectively manage acne-prone skin. It is highly recommended to follow a three-step regimen to regulate sebum, improve cell turnover as well as clear impurities. Use dermatologically tested Alite range of products to achieve acne free skin. With consistent use alongside sunscreen, the Alite all products help support clearer, more even-looking skin without the harshness.