Pimples, pimples, blemishes, breakouts… whatever you call your pimples, we can all agree that these pesky spots are hard to understand and even harder to treat.
While we may not care what type of acne we have the night before a headshot or a first date (as long as it's gone by morning), the difference between the types of acne we're dealing with is actually the key to faster healing .
The next time you have a pimple (or pimples), check out this guide to better understand your type of acne and how to best treat it. Spoiler alert: When in doubt, use salicylic acid.
Types of Acne. All acne is caused by clogged pores, but it falls into one of two categories: non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne.
Non-inflammatory acne. This type of acne is mild and occurs when pores or hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and/or sebum (also called comedones). Non-inflammatory acne is visible but usually painless and can be divided into two types:
Blackheads. When comedones (also called clogged pores) partially open, the oil and debris trapped inside them can turn darker, forming what are called blackheads (not to be confused with sebaceous glands, with which they are often confused).
Another common misconception is that blackheads are clogged with dirt, but the black color is caused by oxidation of dirt when exposed to air. To remove these remaining debris (and prevent blackheads), exfoliate regularly with our microcrystalline exfoliator, which is gentle on acne-prone skin types.
Whiteheads. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are closed comedones or small white bumps that protrude from the surface of the skin. Because the pimple is closed, the debris inside is not exposed to the air and remains white.
Non-inflammatory acne is easy to highlight or remove, especially since it is very visible, but it can only be removed by a professional. Instead, look for skincare ingredients that fight excess sebum, such as: B. Our purifying mask contains activated charcoal and clay.
Inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne is considered a more severe type of acne and causes hard, underground papules that are often painful to the touch.
This type of acne is similar to non-inflammatory acne and also occurs when pores become clogged with dead skin cells and sebum, but a buildup of bacteria can also cause infection (and thus inflammation). There are four different types:
Pustules. These underground papules are red, pink, or dark in color and contain pus (a common white or yellow fluid made by white blood cells that protects the skin from infection). Paprance. Papules look exactly like pustules but do not contain pus. Dryness treatments won't help pimples because nothing can be absorbed.
Instead, use zinc and willow bark extract in our clarifying serum to control oil production, reduce inflammation and soothe infections. Nodules. You can think of nodules as a more severe form of papules. These are hard, large lumps that lie deep within the skin layer and have no head.
You can't pop these types of pimples (so don't try!). Nodular acne may not respond to topical acne treatments and may require a prescription. So if this type of acne doesn't respond to your products, you may want to see a dermatologist.
Cyst. Cysts are considered the most severe form of acne. They are located deeper under the skin than nodules, can be red, pink, or white, and are often very painful.
Cystic acne is sometimes considered hormonal (that is, it occurs during menstruation or due to a hormonal imbalance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or menopause) and can take weeks or even months to heal and disappear completely.
Never try to puncture a cyst, as acne scarring is common. If your regular treatments don't seem to be working, a dermatologist may also be your best option for treating this type of acne.
How to Treat Acne. Now that you know what type of breakouts your skin is dealing with, learn more about the best ingredients to treat them.
Types of Acne. Salicylic acid. If in doubt, salicylic acid is an excellent active ingredient for both non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne. Use an Acne Calming Cleanser to cleanse your face and an Acne Control Body Spray (both containing over-the-counter salicylic acid) to spray pimples from the neck down to prevent all types of breakouts.
Retinol. Many people think of retinol as an anti-aging skin ingredient, but believe it or not, the vitamin A derivative was originally developed to treat acne. Retinol speeds up cell turnover, pushing old skin cells to the surface (thereby unclogging pores), and healing acne and the traces it leaves behind.
Our gentle retinol serum is a great choice, especially if you have pimples, as retinol penetrates deep beneath the surface to treat infections. For body acne, use our Retinol Body Lotion to eliminate such spots.
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Sulfur. This centuries-old ingredient dries out pus, making it ideal for all acne-related acne problems (such as pustules and blackheads).
Cover non-inflammatory pimples with our acne dryness treatment. Sulfur kills bacteria and reduces inflammation to heal the area.
This is also a great way to make sure you don't pop or pick, which can make breakouts worse.
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Recipe
Severe inflammatory papules, such as cystic acne, may require stronger treatments. If salicylic acid doesn't help, contact your dermatologist. She or he can recommend a recipe to get rid of these types of breakouts.
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