Acne is a skin condition most adolescent people deal with. As we age we assume we’re in the clear from unsightly blemishes. Then, we’re hit with adult acne. Acne can occur in adulthood for a number of reasons, and we will get to that! But first, we’re going to deep dive into the various kinds of acne, how we can treat them, and go over some lifestyle changes that can help get rid of acne.

Handling acne with care is important because acne can leave scars and dark spots if they’re irritated too much (constant picking at pimples and acne is a big no-no). Acne scars and dark spots can last years and might end up needing more invasive procedures, like microneedling, to help even out your skin tone.

Noninflammatory types of acne

Whiteheads

The medical term for whiteheads is ‘closed comedones’. Whiteheads are small, whitish bumps. Sometimes a hair will emerge from the center of a white head. These usually won’t cause scarring unless you pick and mess with it causing to inflame and become more irritated.

Blackheads

Blackheads are open comedones. The color of blackheads isn’t from trapped dirt, they’re actually whiteheads that have opened and widened. When whiteheads are exposed to air they darken, or oxidize, becoming blackheads.

Treatment

Products to treat whiteheads and blackheads can be purchased over the counter. The following ingredients will help breakdown whiteheads and blackheads:

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide works by reducing the amount of acne-causing bacteria.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is an acid that penetrates the skin to clear out the pores from within. It dissolves the debris in your pores.

Inflammatory types of acne

Papules

Unlike whiteheads, papules have no visible center.

Papules develop when whiteheads or blackheads cause so much irritation that they damage some of the surrounding skin. The damage leads to inflammation.

Pustules

Pustules are larger, tender bumps with a defined circular center. The center is filled with whitish or yellowish pus, and the bump has a pink or red base. Immune cells and bacterial cells collect to form this pus.

Pustules typically look like much larger and more inflamed whiteheads.

Treatment

Using products with salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide will help get rid of these two kinds of acne.

Using these products apply a warm washcloth on your face for 10-15 minutes to help the infection to rise to the skin. Doing this will make penetration of acne products more effective.

Nodules

Nodules are hard, painful, inflamed lumps located deep within the skin. They look like larger, deeper papules and have no visible center or head.

This type of acne lesion develops when clogged pores damage tissues and cells deep beneath the skin's surface.

Nodules are a severe form of acne blemish, and they can cause skin complications such as dark spots or scarring.

Cysts

Cysts are very large, soft, painful, red or white lumps situated deep in the skin. They are filled with pus.

Cysts form deeper within the skin than nodules, and they are the most severe type of acne blemish. Cysts can also cause skin complications, such as scarring.

These types of acne shouldn’t be treated at home. If you experience this kind of acne, please consult a dermatologist.

What causes acne?

Strap in for a cool science lesson! Acne forms when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Each of your pores is the opening of a hair follicle. Each of your follicles has a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland.

How your follicles normally work is the sebaceous gland released oil which goes up the hair follicle and onto your skin. Sebum helps keep your skin soft.

So acne occurs when there is a disruption in this skin lubrication process. Issues that can happen are:

Too much oil being produced
Dead skin is accumulating over the pore causing it to stay closed and oil is trapped in the pore
Bacteria is building up in your pores

Life situations or daily habits that can cause adult acne:

You might find that during hormonal changes you might break out. Hormonal changes can affect oil production which will result in acne.
Over-washing your face might lead to acne, too. If you are stripping your skin of its natural oils, the sebaceous glands kick into overdrive, which could result in too much oil and lead to breakouts.
If you recently start working out and aren’t washing your face good enough, it might result in acne. Working out causes you to produce sweat and getting rid of toxins while you sweat, but if you’re not getting those off your skin it can block your pores.
If you don’t wash your pillowcase frequently enough, it can clog your pores.
If you use products with comedogenic ingredients in them, they can cause breakouts. Coconut oil feels great on your skin, but can get trapped in your skin.

Lifestyle habits to help with acne: