What is acne? Understanding your skin is the first step in treating acne

Many people may worry about blackheads and whiteheads, but some are still left with questions: What is acne? How do I treat acne? What are the different types of acne?

Acne can take many different forms and can be caused by different factors, and unfortunately some cannot be avoided. However, there are ways to treat that pesky blemish and manage acne breakouts. In today's post, we'll explore all things acne so you can better understand your spots and know what the best acne treatment might be for you.

WHAT CAUSES ACNE?

This skin condition can affect anyone and most people will experience one of the types of acne at some point in their lives. Acne is often associated with changes in hormone levels that occur during puberty, but it can occur at any age and can be related to your lifestyle, diet and stress. The main symptom of acne is spots on the face, back and chest. This occurs when the hair follicles on your body, which can be found anywhere on the skin, become blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells (not the most pleasant information, we know). But this is a very common situation, especially if you have an oily skin type, so understanding the cause is the best way to ensure you can manage acne effectively.

DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE!

Your hands can be one of the most common causes of the different types of acne you can get. From touching your face during daily activities, to trying to get rid of those annoying spots by pressing, squeezing and poking. By touching your face, bacteria found on your hands can be transferred to your skin, creating spots.

Squeezing the dots is not the best treatment for acne. No matter how therapeutic or satisfying it may seem, you should never try to squeeze your acne. By doing this, you will create an opening in the skin, allowing more bacteria to enter and cause more spots, increasing the risk of scarring. Your skin should only be treated with acne products.

Retinol 0.3% is an excellent product for reducing the spots and irritations that acne can cause. If you are new to retinol, this is perfect for you, with a new and improved formula that ensures maximum stability and increased skin tolerability.

What is acne?

Acne is considered to cause stress and lower self-confidence regardless of its type, but there are different types with their own ways of dealing with them.

BLACK DOTS (OPEN COMEDONES)

When oil and dead skin cells combine, it oxidizes and turns black, hence the obvious name blackheads.

WHITE DOTS (CLOSED COMEDONES)

Similar to blackheads, this type of acne has not oxidized, remaining white on the surface. One of the biggest "don'ts" when it comes to acne is to never squeeze them. If you press a white dot, you won't be able to empty it, so whatever satisfying pus you thought was out will fill up again.

PAPULS

This type of acne may be visibly smaller on the face, but that doesn't hide the redness and painful sensitivity it leaves behind. The best treatment for papules in particular is benzoyl peroxide, which works against bacteria on the surface of the skin, a common cause of skin spots.

PUSTLES

Having solid, inflamed papules, pustules have a similar appearance, but you may notice a tip filled with white or yellow pus. Acne papules can sometimes turn into pustules if left untreated.

NODLES

This type of acne can be described as severe as it leaves hard and painful bumps deep in the skin. It is vital to treat the nodules with care and attention as there is a risk of scarring.

CYSTS

Referred to as the most severe type of acne, a cyst is a large, pus-filled bump and can usually only be removed by an experienced dermatologist. Without proper treatment, it can increase in size and lead to increased risk of permanent scarring.

Due to recent events in the world, "maskne" has become another skin problem. Wearing a face mask can cause friction and sweat when worn for long periods of time, which can cause acne breakouts. To prevent "maskne", it is important to have a good daily skin care routine to ensure the removal of acne-causing bacteria.