We’ve all experienced acne at some point in our life. Be it in your teens, a little later as an adult, once a month during your period, or after forgetting to wash off your makeup at night. They are painful and downright annoying. Not to mention, the parting gift they leave us with. Think of under-the-skin bumps and acne scars that are clingier than our high-school ex. That said, knowledge is power when it comes to breakouts, so understanding what causes and triggers acne is of utmost importance.
We know that zits suck! So here’s everything you need to know about your pesky breakouts. Read on to find reasons for acne along with holy-grail products to zap the zit away.
What Are Pimples?
Pimples are red bumps with white pus at their tips. Clogged pores, inflamed oil glands, or increased presence of pimple-causing bacteria are the most common causes of pimples. Areas with the largest number of functional oil glands are more likely to have acne. These areas include the neck, chest, face, back, and shoulder. Read on to know different types of pimples as well as their causes.
Types Of Pimples
There are different types of pimples that can be broadly classified into five different categories and we’re listing them down for you.
Whiteheads
The primary cause of whiteheads is clogged hair follicles. The piling up of dead skin cells blocks the hair follicles leading to whiteheads. They are less inflamed and smaller than a cyst. You can use a spot treatment to kiss them goodbye. Alternatively, using a retinoid cream can also help prevent more whiteheads. Retinoids promote the generation of new skin cells and stop dead skin cells from accumulating and clogging the pores. Hence, they work wonders to improve overall skin health.
Blackheads
Blackheads are whiteheads that become oxidized on exposure to oxygen. This is the reason why they are black in colour. Ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid are great for treating and preventing blackheads. As these ingredients have a small molecular structure and are oil-soluble, they can penetrate deep within the skin to pull the gunk out of the pores. In addition to this, you can also use a blackhead extractor or a nose strip to zap them away.
Pimple
Pimples are usually an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria called p.acnes, which stimulate an immune response that creates swelling, pain, redness, and pus.
Cyst
Cysts tend to be larger, redder, more painful, and bumpier than a whitehead. You should never ever try to pop a cyst because it can lead to a spread of bacteria and more inflammation. This can worsen the situation, which means it’ll take more time to subside.
Nodule
Nodules are similar to cysts and are large, solid, and hella painful. They occur in the form of lumps underneath the surface of the skin. In contrast to cysts, nodules don’t have a head and the lump of sebum and dead skin can remain intact for weeks, or even months!
Reasons For Pimples On The Face
Acne can be triggered due to a myriad of factors such as stress, hormonal changes, lifestyle, and medication. But no matter the factor triggering the acne, the primary cause of pimples is clogged pores. Acne occurs when the hair follicle becomes clogged with a combo of sebum and dead skin cells. This leads to whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. If your acne is severe, you might have cystic acne, which means the infection has spread deeper into your skin. This can make your skin inflamed and cause a bump of pus to form. It’s really important to understand the type of acne you’re experiencing in order to treat them as different types of pimples have different treatment processes.
How To Prevent Pimples On The Face?
For babes who want to keep breakouts at bay, read on for tips to prevent pimples.
Keep Your Face Clean
Ensure you wash your face twice a day and remember – sleeping with your makeup on is never allowed. It’s important to wash your face in the morning and at night to remove excess oil, dead skin cells, and impurities. Use a mild cleanser like this one to wash that makeup off your face while hydrating your skin.
Momsco Recommended: Natural Clay Face Wash
This face wash does exactly what it’s supposed to do without any funny business. It gently cleanses the skin without stripping off its natural oils. Boasting ingredients such as plant-based AHAs and charcoal – the face wash removes impurities from the skin.
Moisturise
Many acne-fighting products can dry the skin out. So it’s important to use a moisturiser that hydrates the skin. Lookout for formulas that are non-comedogenic so it doesn’t clog your pores and worsen the situation.
Momsco Recommended: Natural Ceramide Face Cream
For out-of-this-world skin, you need to add this holy-grail face cream to your skincare stash. It is chock-full of powerhouse ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, rice water, and cica – it plumps up the complexion to give you the dewiest skin of your life.
Try An Over-The-Counter Spot Treatment
Invest in skincare products such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, or benzoyl peroxide, which curb the growth of bacteria. They also help in getting rid of dead skin cells that smoothen the skin and prevent acne.
Momsco Recommended: Natural Ceramide Face Toner
When it comes to skincare ingredients, ceramide is the #GOAT and this face toner is jam-packed with it. The toner also contains plant-based AHAs as well as chamomile extracts that help tighten the skin and clear the clogged pores by sloughing off dead skin cells. This helps in preventing acne.
Don’t Over-Exfoliate Your Skin
Avoid over-exfoliating your face. Grainy and harsh exfoliators can do more harm than good by damaging your skin barrier. Thus, leading to inflammation, redness, and irritation. Plus, if you have active acne, exfoliating with grainy scrub can pull away healthy skin cells and create an open wound. This increases the risk of scarring.
Momsco Recommended: Natural Ceramide Face Serum
If you want to take your complexion from dull to dewy in a matter of minutes, this is the face serum to call. This gentle scrub boasts the power of vitamin C, E, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide which work together to give you the glass skin of your dreams. This face serum is pure genius.
Keep Your Hands Off Your Face
Avoid touching your face with your hands as your hands aren’t always clean and can spread bacteria. Thus, leading to breakouts.
Wash Your Face Post-Workout
Washing your face as soon as possible after working out is also key to keeping breakouts at bay. The longer you let the bacteria live on the skin, the more time it gets to get trapped inside the hair follicles. Wash your face and take a shower right after a workout.
Momsco Recommended: Natural Green Tea Face Cream
This face cream is like a tall glass of water for your skin. It injects hydration back into the skin while controlling sebum production and preventing acne. It also helps in reducing redness and inflammation. This face cream gets a 10/10 from us.
Change Your Pillowcase
Your pillowcase touches your skin every time you get your beauty sleep. This means unwashed pillowcases and sheets can be a major breeding ground for breakouts. They can harbour dirt, sweat, bacteria, and oil that can lead to breakouts.
Manage Your Stress And Get Enough Sleep
The side effects of improper sleep and too much stress most definitely include acne. In fact, they can lead to a number of skin problems. Try clocking in eight hours of zzz’s. Manage stress by listening to your fave music, exercising, taking a bubble bath, or heading to bed earlier.
Use Non-Comedogenic Sunscreen
While sunscreen is an absolute must, some sunscreens can trigger acne. We suggest opting for non-comedogenic and oil-free formulas that won’t clog your pores.
Natural Daily Sunscreen – SPF 45+
This sunscreen is legit one of the greatest SPF formulas out there. It wards off harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun and leaves the skin with a beautiful dewy glow. It’s non-greasy, non-sticky, and doesn’t leave behind a ghostly white cast. Snag this beauty before it sells out.
Tailor Your Diet & Drink Plenty Of Water
Incorporate green leafy vegetables and other brightly-hued fruits into your diet. Foods rich in antioxidants help in improving skin health from the inside out.
Buh-bye, breakouts!
Featured Image: Instagram
