The Acne Guide
Dive into our fine acne guide—get the lowdown on causes, symptoms, and top treatments, plus helpful tips for keeping your skin clear and glowing!
Causes of Acne
Understanding the causes of acne is key to addressing it effectively. Below are some common factors that contribute to acne breakouts.
Genetics
Stress
Environmental Factors
Hormonal Fluctuations
Whiteheads, Blackheads, Milia
(Comedonal Acne)
Overview of causes and remedies including both over-the-counter and professional treatments. Furthermore we will discuss preventative care.
Blackheads & Whiteheads
What are Blackheads?
2/5 Intensity Level
Blackheads, or open comedones, are small, dark spots that typically appear on the face, nose, and chin. They form when pores become clogged with excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. Hormonal changes and oily skin can increase oil production, leading to clogged pores. When the pores remain open, the trapped material oxidizes upon exposure to air, turning dark. This oxidation gives blackheads their characteristic appearance and name.
What are Blackheads?
Blackheads, or open comedones, are small, dark spots that typically appear on the face, nose, and chin. They form when pores become clogged with excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. Hormonal changes and oily skin can increase oil production, leading to clogged pores. When the pores remain open, the trapped material oxidizes upon exposure to air, turning dark. This oxidation gives blackheads their characteristic appearance and name.
2/5 Intensity Level
What are Whiteheads?
3/5 Intensity Level
Whiteheads, or closed comedones, form when excess oil and dead skin cells clog pores, creating small white bumps beneath the skin's surface. These are most commonly found on the face, particularly the nose, chin, and forehead. If bacteria proliferate within the clogged pore, whiteheads can become inflamed and lead to more severe forms of acne.
What are Whiteheads?
Whiteheads, or closed comedones, form when excess oil and dead skin cells clog pores, creating small white bumps beneath the skin's surface. These are most commonly found on the face, particularly the nose, chin, and forehead. If bacteria proliferate within the clogged pore, whiteheads can become inflamed and lead to more severe forms of acne.
3/5 Intensity Level
Causes
Whiteheads and blackheads form due to clogged pores, often caused by excess oil and dead skin cells. Hormonal fluctuations, stress, and lifestyle factors like sleep deprivation can worsen breakouts by increasing oil production. External products, such as makeup or hair care containing comedogenic ingredients, can also clog pores. To prevent whiteheads and blackheads, it's essential to use non-comedogenic products that won’t block pores or contribute to congestion.
Treatments
Milia
What are Milia?
1/5 Intensity Level
Milia are small, white or yellowish bumps that appear on the skin’s surface when dead skin cells, specifically keratin, get trapped beneath the epidermis (outer most layer of the skin). These tiny, cyst-like bumps are firm to the touch and are commonly found on the face, particularly around the eyes, nose, and cheeks. Milia can affect people of all ages and are often mistaken for acne or pimples.
What are Milia?
Milia are small, white or yellowish bumps that appear on the skin’s surface when dead skin cells, specifically keratin, get trapped beneath the epidermis (outer most layer of the skin). These tiny, cyst-like bumps are firm to the touch and are commonly found on the face, particularly around the eyes, nose, and cheeks. Milia can affect people of all ages and are often mistaken for acne or pimples.
1/5 Intensity Level
Causes
Milia form when dead skin cells and keratin become trapped beneath the skin's surface. This can result from sun damage, heavy skincare products that block exfoliation, skin trauma like burns or blisters, and aging, which slows cell turnover. These factors interfere with the skin's natural shedding process, leading to the buildup of keratin and the development of milia.
Treatments
Pimples And Their Types
(Inflammatory Acne)
Overview of causes and remedies including both over-the-counter and professional treatments. Furthermore we will discuss preventative care.
Papules
What are Papules?
2/5 Intensity Level
Papules are small, solid, inflamed bumps that appear on the skin, typically conical in shape. Papules do not contain pus. They are usually less than one centimeter in size and can vary in color, appearing the same as your skin tone or in shades of red, brown, or purple. Papules are a type of inflammatory acne, and while they may be tender to the touch, they don’t always cause significant discomfort. They can occur on various parts of the body, especially on the face, neck, back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms.
What are Papules?
Papules are small, solid, inflamed bumps that appear on the skin, typically conical in shape. Papules do not contain pus. They are usually less than one centimeter in size and can vary in color, appearing the same as your skin tone or in shades of red, brown, or purple. Papules are a type of inflammatory acne, and while they may be tender to the touch, they don’t always cause significant discomfort. They can occur on various parts of the body, especially on the face, neck, back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms.
2/5 Intensity Level
Causes
Papules are caused by overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands, which can clog pores and lead to inflammation. An increased presence of bacteria on the skin, particularly Propionibacterium acnes, can trigger the immune response that leads to papules. Hormone level fluctuations, genetics and medications can effect oil production and papule formation as well.
Treatments
Pustules
What are Pustules?
3/5 Intensity Level
Pustules are characterized by bulging blemishes that occur when pores become clogged with pus, sebum (oil), and cell debris. Pustules typically present as red, inflamed pimples with a white or yellow center filled with pus, which may ooze out if the pustule is pierced or broken. They usually occur in areas rich in oil glands, particularly on the face, back, chest, and shoulders.
What are Pustules?
Pustules are characterized by bulging blemishes that occur when pores become clogged with pus, sebum (oil), and cell debris. Pustules typically present as red, inflamed pimples with a white or yellow center filled with pus, which may ooze out if the pustule is pierced or broken. They usually occur in areas rich in oil glands, particularly on the face, back, chest, and shoulders.
3/5 Intensity Level
Causes
Pustules develop from papules when the walls of an affected pore begin to break down. Initially, this breakdown creates a red, swollen bump known as a papule. As the pore deteriorates, white blood cells gather to fight infection, resulting in the accumulation of pus within the papule.
Treatments
Nodular Acne
What is Nodular Acne?
4/5 Intensity Level
Nodules are regarded as one of the more severe forms of acne, marked by hard, inflamed lumps that form deep within the skin. These lumps are typically larger and more painful than other acne types, occurring when bacteria become ensnared, resulting in infection. Nodules can vary in color, from a flesh-toned hue to a more reddish tint, and if left untreated, they are likely to cause post-acne scars.
What is Nodular Acne?
Nodules are regarded as one of the more severe forms of acne, marked by hard, inflamed lumps that form deep within the skin. These lumps are typically larger and more painful than other acne types, occurring when bacteria become ensnared, resulting in infection. Nodules can vary in color, from a flesh-toned hue to a more reddish tint, and if left untreated, they are likely to cause post-acne scars.
4/5 Intensity Level
Causes
Nodules occur when the skin's pores become blocked by dead skin cells, hair, and sebum. This blockage can trap C. acnes bacteria, leading to infection, inflammation, and pain. Several factors contribute to the formation of nodules, including excessive oil production, inadequate skin cleansing, medications, and hormone fluctuations.
Treatments
Cystic Acne
What is Cystic Acne?
5/5 Intensity Level
Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne, characterized by large, inflamed, painful cysts that form deep under the skin. These cysts are often red and swollen, filled with pus, and can leave scars.
What is Cystic Acne?
Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne, characterized by large, inflamed, painful cysts that form deep under the skin. These cysts are often red and swollen, filled with pus, and can leave scars.
5/5 Intensity Level
Causes
Acne cysts occur when blockages form deeper beneath the skin's surface compared to other pimple types. When the pressure from inflammation causes the walls of the pores to rupture, bacteria and debris can infiltrate the skin, triggering the immune system to generate pus in response to this perceived invasion.
Treatments
You've Got Questions...
We've Got Answers
Do pimples go away on their own?
Most pimples generally resolve on their own as the body works to clear clogged pores. However, some, like blackheads, can persist for extended periods and may require additional treatment to speed up their disappearance. Employing treatments like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or pimple patches can help clear these blemishes more effectively.