Acne. It is the bane of a teenagers life. Not just teenagers though! It affects up to 80% of people, ranging from teens to age 30, and sometimes beyond.
Acne cannot be put under one category, either. It’s what we call a “multifactorial disease,” which means that it can be caused by many factors.
These different triggers can then present as a wide variety of blemishes, ranging from whiteheads, “blind” pimples (nodules), blackheads, angry red pustules and more.
This is why your breakout may look very different from the next person!
We are looking today at the different types of acne, the causes and how to treat these successfully.
These are the most typical kind of acne. They appear as small to medium-sized bumps, often with a white top.
How do they occur? A closed comedo develops when a plug of dead skin cells and sebum becomes trapped within the hair follicle. The plug fills the follicle, swelling it out and creating that bump that you see on your skin, often with pus inside, which creates the white head on the top.
Some people are more prone to developing comedones than others, however, they are really common during the tween and teen years, as the skin's sebaceous glands ramp up production. With all that excess oil, comedones are more likely to form.
How to treat? We recommend a good regime of exfoliation, 2 - 3 times a week in order to dissolve and remove the build-up of dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria that will build up and clog your pores. The Bright Skin Polish Powder has been specifically designed for this purpose, for oily and acne prone skin types, with the active ingredients of Fruit Enzymes, Australian Kaolin Clay and Avena Sativa.
Secondly, stick religiously to a specially designed skincare routine, like our Supercharged Trio for oily and acne-prone skin, that will cleanse away excess oil and dirt, without stripping away your skins natural defence barrier, and ensure your skin is supported with hydration and active healing and soothing ingredients.
Important to note: If you have been treating your acne with a drying acne product, for example containing benzol peroxide or an alcohol based product, you may need to use our Nourishing Trio instead, which is equally as effective in treating acne and breakouts, whilst ensuring your skin is getting the extra hydration it needs.
Like whiteheads, blackheads are caused by clogged pores. Unlike whiteheads, those clogs of oil and skin cells are open to the air. The clogs change colour when they come into contact with oxygen, which gives them their dark appearance, and hence the name “blackhead”.
Now remember, blackheads have nothing to do with hygiene. If you have blackheads, this does not mean your skin is dirty. That black stuff is just natural oil and skin.
The cause is essentially the same as whiteheads, a build up of dead skin cells and sebum becoming clogged in your pores.
We recommend a regular routine of exfoliation and cleansing - like our Supercharged Bright Skin Pack, which not only includes our Trio of essentials, but the Bright Skin Polishing Powder, ideal for clearing congested skin, and keeping your pores clear and complexion bright!
Papule acne presents as red and swollen bumps, which many of us probably think as a typical “breakout”. A papule starts just like a comedone, with a build-up of dead skin cells and oil in your pore. However, if the comedone ruptures the pore walls and disperses the bacteria into the skin tissue — as opposed to on the skin’s surface — your body will respond with inflammation to fight the bacteria. This gives the inflamed and swollen look of the papule.
How to treat? You need to - you guessed it - keep up a regular exfoliation and cleansing routine, to keep your pores clear and cleansed. In addition, a spot treatment will be beneficial for reducing inflammation and soothing the skin.
The bottom line before we head into Part 2.
The last 4 types of acne and how to treat them are continued in Part 2. The different types and causes of acne and how to treat it.
Acne cannot be put under one category, either. It’s what we call a “multifactorial disease,” which means that it can be caused by many factors.
This is why your breakout may look very different from the next person!
In Part Two, we are looking today at the different types of acne, the causes and how to treat these successfully.