and Why They Can Be Controlled, Not Cured
Acne is one of the most studied skin conditions in dermatology, yet it still causes confusion and frustration. It usually begins during the teenage years, but it can persist into adulthood and appear on the face, chest, and back (often called “bacne”).
The reality is: acne is not a curable condition. Instead, it’s a chronic, relapsing disorder of the pilosebaceous unit (the hair follicle and oil gland). But once we understand the science of why it happens, we can manage it far more effectively.
The Science Behind Acne Development
Dermatologists generally agree on four interlinked mechanisms that drive acne:
1. Hormonal Stimulation of Oil Glands
During puberty, androgens (a group of hormones including testosterone) increase.
These hormones stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more sebum (oil).
Excess sebum is thicker, stickier, and more likely to block follicles.
Even in adulthood, hormonal fluctuations (stress, menstrual cycles, PCOS, etc.) can keep this pathway active.
2. Altered Keratinisation (Abnormal Skin Shedding)
Healthy skin sheds keratinocytes (skin cells) in a regular cycle.
In acne-prone skin, this process (called hyperkeratinisation) is faulty.
Instead of shedding evenly, cells build up inside the follicle, mixing with sebum to form a microcomedone — the very first “invisible” stage of acne.
Over time, this blockage becomes visible as blackheads, whiteheads, or inflamed spots.
3. Microbiome Imbalance (Cutibacterium acnes)
Within the clogged follicle, a bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacter
Normally harmless, in a low-oxygen, oil-rich follicle, C. acnes multiplies excessively.
It releases enzymes and inflammatory mediators that damage the follicle wall, triggering redness, swelling, and sometimes deeper, cystic lesions.
4. Inflammation
Acne is fundamentally an inflammatory disorder.
Even before a pimple is visible, inflammatory signals (cytokines and interleukins) are already active in the skin.
This is why acne can feel sore and angry long before a spot comes to the surface.
Why Acne Is Not Curable
Unlike an infection you can eliminate, acne is influenced by ongoing internal factors (hormones, genetics, skin type, microbiome shifts). These drivers never fully “switch off.” Instead, they fluctuate over time, which is why acne may improve, worsen, or reappear depending on life stage, stress, or environment.
This is why dermatologists view acne as a chronic condition: it can be managed and controlled with the right approach, but not permanently cured.
Why Bacne and Body Congestion Are So Common
The back and chest have larger, more active oil glands than many areas of the face.
The skin is thicker, meaning keratinisation is more pronounced.
Heat, sweat, and friction (from gym wear, backpacks, or tight clothing) increase the chance of follicle blockage.
Because it’s harder to reach and cleanse these areas, congestion often builds unnoticed.
How SQT Body Helps Manage Acne & Congestion
The SQT Body system is designed with these scientific mechanisms in mind.
Regulating Keratinisation
By supporting controlled exfoliation, SQT helps to normalise cell turnover and prevent microcomedones from forming.
Balancing Sebum & Microbiome
Ingredients target excess oil while helping to balance the skin’s natural flora, reducing overgrowth of C. acnes.
Calming Inflammation
Anti-inflammatory actives reduce redness, swelling, and irritation, tackling one of the root causes of acne.
Strengthening the Barrier
Acne treatments often strip or weaken the skin barrier. SQT Body protects and restores it, ensuring skin can defend itself against external stressors.
The Takeaway
Acne — whether on the face or body — isn’t just about “dirty skin” or surface-level issues. It’s the result of complex biological processes: hormonal stimulation, faulty keratinisation, bacterial overgrowth, and inflammation.
While acne cannot be cured, it can be controlled with consistent care that addresses these root causes. That’s the science behind SQT Body: a system designed to rebalance the skin, reduce congestion, and support long-term clarity.
Take Control of Your Skin with SQT
Acne, bacne, and congestion don’t have to control your confidence.
Shop our SQT Body Clarifying Kit today!
