We can confirm that none of the Freederm products contain palm oil. However, some ingredients may be derived from plant products, which could include derivatives of palm oil, coconut oil and similar natural oils.
All products in the Freederm range are suitable for vegans as no ingredients are of animal origin. None of the products in our range have been tested on animals.
None of the products in the Freederm range have been tested on animals.
We have not tested our products or ingredients on animals, nor do our suppliers conduct such testing on our behalf.
Much of the Freederm packaging can be recycled. Details on each product can be found in the specific product sections on the ’Our Products’ page of this website.
Our tubes; Freederm Exfoliating Daily Wash and Sensitive Clearing Wash both come in sugarcane tubes, a sustainable alternative to HDPE. We are fully committed to building a sustainable future and are actively investigating packaging that will protect and deliver the Freederm products in the best way while also being as recyclable as possible.
The “natural exfoliators” in Freederm Exfoliating Daily Wash are made from rice grains, not plastic.
Our range includes daily skincare products to help maintain healthy, clear skin and a medicinal gel to treat mild to moderate acne.
Freederm Gel can be used during pregnancy, but specific safety trials have not been conducted*.
*Medicines can affect the unborn baby. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine in pregnancy.
None of the Freederm range contain any ingredients derived from any kind of nut.
Ingredients can be found in the specific product sections on the ‘Our products’ page of this website.
Spots form when hair follicles in your skin become blocked by a buildup of sebum (an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands at the base of each hair). Sebum is a natural secretion to protect the hair and skin from drying out. However, sometimes too much sebum is produced which can accumulate, mix with dead skin cells and clog your pores.
Bacteria trapped in these follicles can then multiply, leading to spots.
Source: nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes
If the pore is clogged close to the surface of the skin, it can bulge outwards, creating a whitehead. Alternatively, the plugged follicle can be open to the skin, creating a blackhead.
Source: nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes
Acne is known to run in families, pointing to a higher likelihood in individuals whose parents have suffered in the past. In the majority of cases, the most likely cause is a change in hormone levels.
Certain hormones cause the grease-producing glands next to hair follicles in the skin to produce larger amounts of sebum.
Source: nhs.uk/conditions/acne
Acne develops deep under the skin, creating red, inflamed, sore bumps which are painful to the touch. Although it might be tempting, avoid popping or squeezing the area as this can force it deeper into your skin and increase the risk of scarring. Also, avoid scrubbing the inflamed area, as this can irritate the skin and make things worse. The best solution is to keep your skin clean. You can try over the counter treatments and treatments available from your pharmacist. If after trying these treatments your acne is still worrying you or if you have severe acne, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Source: nhs.uk/conditions/acne
Your face is spot-prone for a variety of reasons, including:
The T-zone, including the forehead, nose and chin produce a high amount of oil from the sebaceous glands. All this oil can block hair follicles and cause spots.
The hairline, temple and scalp areas can sometimes develop spots caused by certain cosmetic products, including hair gels and waxes. This is sometimes called pomade acne – it affects both sexes and all skin types.
The area around the mouth is spot-prone due to increased physical pressure from things like telephones and/or musical instruments. Cosmetics and certain toothpastes, lip balms, or shaving creams can also be a contributing factor. For men, the constant irritation that comes from shaving is often a cause.
Cheek spots can be caused by friction or rubbing. This might be the result of holding a phone up to your face, moving against a pillow in your sleep, or wearing equipment/clothing with a chin strap. Addressing the cause of friction might alleviate spots in this area.
Neck spots could be the result of this area being neglected during washing especially after sweating. Long hair which is in constant contact with your neck can also be a contributing factor, if it rubs against the neck transferring grease and oil. Wearing clothing or equipment which rubs against this area might also be a contributing factor as can the use of some cosmetic products that block the pores.
The nose is especially vulnerable to spots because the pores are usually larger in this area, creating the perfect environment for dirt, bacteria and oil to get trapped and blackheads/whiteheads to form.
Source: healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/nose-acne#causes
Like your face, your chest, back and shoulders are covered in sebaceous glands that secrete sebum. Along with dead skin cells and bacteria, this sebum is prone to building up and blocking hair follicles. A clogged follicle will eventually break down and form a spot.
On the back and shoulders spots can be exacerbated by wearing tight or restrictive clothing and/or repeated pressure from backpack/purse straps.
Whilst acne is most common during puberty, it affects adults as well. Adult acne accounts for approximately 20% of all cases.
The causes are largely the same as teen acne with hormones often playing a part. For females’ hormonal changes including those during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum periods, and breastfeeding are all known to lead to breakouts.
Physical stress is also a trigger for hormonal changes, as are extreme weather, lack of sleep, illness, dehydration, and exposure to environmental irritants.
Medications
Some medications have been found to increase the chances of adult acne. If you are concerned about any medicines you are taking, speak to a doctor.
Source: webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-adult-acne
Whilst it’s not always possible to make spots go away completely, steps can be made to manage the issue:
Using mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water to gently cleanse the skin can help to reduce excess sebum on the surface of the skin, however, be careful not to use water which is too hot as this can irritate the skin and worsen symptoms. Also, it’s important to use your fingertips to apply cleansers, rather than an abrasive washcloth or mesh sponge.
Although washing the affected areas of skin can help remove excess sebum be careful not to over wash the affected area as this can irritate the skin and exacerbate symptoms.
Avoid oily or greasy makeup formulas and use water-based products instead – these are usually described as non-comedogenic. And remember to always remove makeup before bed.
Regular exercise won’t improve your skin on its own, however, it can boost your mood and reduce stress levels making breakouts less likely. Just remember to shower after exercise, as sweat can irritate spot-prone skin.
Wash hands regularly to rid them of any dirt and bacteria and try to avoid touching your face.
Shampoo hair regularly and try not to let it fall across your face.
Consult a pharmacist or doctor if your skin is causing you stress or anxiety; if over-the-counter products have not worked; if spots are leaving scars or dark marks on your skin.
Source: nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes
In 2020, wearing masks became important for everyone’s health, but a problem for spot-prone skin, sometimes leading to ‘Maskne’: breakouts of small pimples where a mask touches your face.
A cotton mask is likely to be more comfortable and create less friction on the skin. Wash your mask frequently to cut down on the amount of dirt and bacteria that may linger on the fabric. When you take your mask off, cleanse your face gently with Freederm Sensitive Clearing Wash and apply Freederm Clearing Moisturiser with antimicrobials for lasting hydration to help protect the skin and prevent breakouts.
Spots on the face form when hair follicles on the skin become blocked by a build-up of sebum (an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands at the base of even the finest hairs). Certain factors can increase the amount of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands on the face, including hormonal changes, stress, certain medications, and even irritation from make-up, haircare products and masks.
Changing levels in hormones, particularly in women, and stress can all cause spots to form on the chin and jawline. With diet it's more complicated - while there isn't a direct link between food and spots, some experts suspect that gut health plays a part because it can affect hormone levels. The increase in excess androgens means that the oil glands become overstimulated, which blocks pores.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/pimple-acne-face-map
Source: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/tips/a10302/face-mapping-what-do-your-spots-mean-108737/
Post-adolescent spots, which occur in adults over the age of 25, (about 3% of adults have spots over the age of 35) is where spots form on the face when follicles on the skin become blocked by a build-up of sebum (an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands at the base of even the finest hairs).
In adults, women are more likely to suffer from spots on the face than men. It’s thought this is caused by changes in hormone levels that many women have at certain times, such as during pregnancy, around their period, or because of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Spots on the forehead can be caused by irritants such as chemicals in hair products or makeup, which can block the fine pores on the forehead. As with spots anywhere on the face, they occur because of excess sebum blocking hair follicles.
Pimples are a symptom that is caused when hair follicles on the skin become blocked, caused by sebum and dead skin cells combining. Stress, irritation of the skin through chemicals in shampoos and soaps, changes in hormones or excessive, rigorous cleaning are all known causes.
Niacinamide is an essential vitamin for keeping skin clear and healthy. It is used by the skin to repair damage and neutralise free radicals. According to dermatologists, along with soothing and smoothing effects, niacinamide in the skin moderates sebum levels and normalises the lining of the pores, to keep them from getting clogged and enlarged which can lead to spot formation.*
*Source: reported by Melanie Rud for Shape.com October 24, 2019.
Source: https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/niacinamide-skin-benefits-products
For any more questions about how to treat teenage spots or reduce spot size, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Teen skin is at the heart of all our spot care products. Our range includes daily skincare products to help maintain healthy, clear skin and a medicinal gel to treat spots and inflammation.
