What is a blemish?

Almost any change in the texture or colour of your skin can be called a blemish, from hereditary birthmarks to tiny blackheads no bigger than a pinprick. While moles and port-wine stains are permanent, more common blemishes, particularly acne, come and go throughout your life.

Even though it is extremely common there is still stigma attached to acne- particularly in adults since it is often regarded as a condition that exists solely to torment teenagers or a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. In truth most adults will get blackheads and whiteheads at some point in their lives, particularly in the developed world where we are often exposed to pollution, diets with high glycemic loads and chemical skincare products.

Blemishes, both blackheads and whiteheads are both caused by sebum, a natural moisturiser excreted by your skin, blocking pores and hair follicles. In a blackhead the sebum is exposed to the air, causing it to oxidise and turn black, whereas in whiteheads the pore or follicle is blocked and sebum is trapped beneath the skin’s surface. Though it’s tempting, removing blackheads and whiteheads by ‘popping’ them is likely to cause scarring and discoloration, turning a temporary spot in to a permanent mark on your skin.

Spots and blemishes are persistent, but their appearance can be seriously reduced by removing the impurities and excess sebum that causes them to develop. A healthy lifestyle with plenty of fresh air and exercise will help, but your genetics and pollutants in the air around you can’t be avoided, which is why Green People’s range of organic skincare products with their natural ingredients cleanse skin of impurities and equalise your skin’s sebum production, significantly reducing the appearance of spots and blemishes.

View our range of products for acne, spots and blemishes