Skincare Serenity Secrets

Every teenager struggles with the difficult battle of acne, either inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Both types of acne start forming when dead skin cells mix with excess oil on your skin to clog pores. Acne is most common in people who consume lots of sugar and fats and who pick at or squeeze their skin to pop pimples (which results in acne scars SO DON’T DO IT!). It can also occur in people who over-hydrate their skin with a moisturizer that their skin may be sensitive to, which can result in pores getting clogged with dead skin and oil (sebum).

Inflammatory acne, the more aggressive form of the two, presents itself with redness, swelling, pus, and pain when touched. Some of the main types of inflammatory acne include papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Doctors at Proactiv state that “papules are small, reddish bumps on the skin. They can appear alone or they can form in clusters that feel like rough sandpaper” (Proactiv®). Papules typically form on the T-zone of the face (nose, chin, and forehead). Pustules are what you would typically imagine when you think of a pimple. “They are papules that are filled with yellow or white liquid pus, which forms when clusters of leftover white blood cells are finished fulfilling their job of fighting the infection” (Proactiv®). Depending on what causes a pustule to form (hormones, stress, diet, etc.), it can appear anywhere on your face. “Nodules and cystic acne (also known as cysts) are less common, but a more serious form of inflammatory acne. Nodules are large, firm and painful bumps that form mostly under the surface of the skin. Cysts are similar but are generally deeper and filled with pus” (Proactiv®). There are many different causes to each of these inflammatory acne types, so there are many different treatment approaches as well. 

Topical products to treat inflammatory acne include Azelaic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Salicylic Acid (Proactiv®). Azelaic Acid kills the bacterias and germs that initially create acne. Benzoyl Peroxide unclogs pores and kills mild bacterias found on the face in order to prevent acne from forming. In addition, it sheds off the dead, scarred skin leaving a softer layer. Lastly, in order to eliminate acne caused by excess sebum trapped in pores, Salicylic Acid keeps your pores clean by reducing the amount of oil produced in the skin.

Another way acne presents itself is non-inflammatory. This is a less painful form of acne, which includes blemishes such as whiteheads and blackheads (Proactiv®). They result from dry skin, a buildup of dead skin, and oil in hair follicles. They are most common on the face and back and may contain small amounts of pus. If these blockages become infected they become a form of inflammatory acne. Topical products for non-inflammatory acne include Salicylic Acid or a hydrating, non-comedogenic moisturizer with ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid.  

In conclusion, acne presents itself in many ways and in many severities. Inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne can appear and feel very different but they have similar and available solutions to being treated carefully. So the next time you see a huge pimple do a small evaluation to determine what type of acne it is and how to treat it. 

References

1. Inflammatory acne vs. non-inflammatory acne | Proactiv®. (n.d.). https://www.proactiv.com/blog/acne-types/inflammatory-acne-vs-non-inflammatory-acne