Time to talk about a problem experienced by teenagers and adults alike — acne. This skin condition doesn’t just appear as pimples but displays itself in various forms. Get to know the different types of acne and the ingredients used to treat them.
I used to think that acne automatically equates to those large and nasty zits. However, after hearing from dermatologists and other skincare enthusiasts, I managed to get rid of that notion. To explain further, Dr. Nikki Paderna, a member of the Philippine Dermatological Society, gives us the know-how on this skin concern. Get ready to jot down some notes as we get some professional insight about this matter.
FURTHER READING: Why Sulfur is What Your Acne-Prone Skin Needs
How does acne occur?
In order to effectively combat acne, let’s first discuss how it comes into being.
“Acne starts to happen when the hair follicles get blocked with sebum and dead skin cells,” Dr. Nikki explains. “A clogged pore then becomes either a blackhead or a whitehead depending on whether it is exposed or not to open air, respectively. Bacterial infection will then cause an inflammation producing pus in the pores and follicles, forming what is now called a pimple.”
According to Dr. Paderna, “there are four major contributing factors to the formation of acne: excess sebum production, accumulation of dead skin cells, presence of the bacteria Cutibacterium acnes, and inflammatory response due to the infection.” She also adds that other internal factors like hormones, genes, stress, and diet all administer to the formation (or worsening) of one’s acne.
What are the different types of acne and their descriptions?
Things may get a little scientific here, but Dr. Nikki walks us through the various types of acne in a way everyone can easily understand.
Acne vulgaris
“The most common type of acne, the ones we see on the face or trunk is acne vulgaris, which is further divided according to severity (from mild lesions to severe) and whether the treatment warrants topical, oral medication or a combination of both.”
Acne conglobata
“Acne conglobata is a severe form of acne that has a mixture of different lesions with cysts, nodules, and scars being the most prominent. Aside from the face, it can be found on the back, chest, buttocks, arms, and thighs.”
Acne fulminans
“Acne fulminans is the most severe form of nodular acne. Lesions are similar to that of acne conglobate but are typically accompanied by symptoms like fever, bone pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss.”
Acne mechanica
“Acne mechanica is caused by repetitive trauma on the skin, which can obstruct the pilosebaceous unit, and lead to congested pores. Frequent rubbing of the skin brought about by face masks is a common scenario at the present for this type of acne.”
Acne excoriée
“Acne excoriée is caused by consistent picking, squeezing, and scratching at the pimples to get rid of them. The pimples then become more infected and develop scarring.”
What ingredients do you recommend for people who are suffering from acne?
Now that we’ve got all those terms out of the way, we go to everyone’s anticipated part: ingredients to treat them and products you can use to get that flawless skin!
“For anyone who’s dealing with acne, I usually advise a regimen of skincare products with these ingredients: alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid and salicylic acid), niacinamide, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol,” Dr. Paderna advises. “However, only mild cases of acne may be managed by a combination of topical medication with skincare suited for acne-prone skin.” For people suffering from moderate to severe cases, it’s best to seek professional advice to get a tailored prescription according to what your skin needs.
For topical remedies, I personally recommend the By Wishtrend Sulfur 3% Clean Gel to unclog pores without drying your skin out. This product does the job in a day or two for existing blemishes. It also prevents acne formation. The Tia’m AC Fighting Spot RX Cream works wonders in shrinking blemishes as well as taking care of post-inflammatory marks, too. I have both in my skincare stash and I’m not gonna lie, these saved my skin numerous times!
The bottom line
Acne is normal. While it’s challenging to conquer, it isn’t impossible. Through proper treatments and the right amount of sleep, a healthy diet, and some exercise (yes, you need to get moving!), your skin will clear out in time. If you need recommendations tailored for your skin type and skin concerns, just send KbeautyCafe a message for a free consultation.