Pimples and other blemishes are a common and rather serious skin problem. Acne is most commonly associated with puberty and teenagers, but this is actually an issue you can encounter at any age, especially if you have oily or combination skin. Luckily, there are a lot of skincare products that can eliminate skin breakouts and keep your skin clear and healthy by preventing their recurrence.
Acne occurs when dead skin cells and sebum (skin oil) clog skin pores, leading to pimples, inflammation, and sometimes even scarring. It is primarily caused by genetic factors that determine how much sebum one’s skin produces, but there are other factors that may contribute to the formation of acne or worsen pre-existing acne. They include hormonal changes (for example, those occurring during puberty and menstrual cycles), skin flora, diet, stress, environmental factors, comedogenic skincare, and certain medications.
Skin breakouts can be divided into several types depending on their severity. They include comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, papules, pustules, and nodules.
Comedones
A comedo is a skin pore clogged by keratin (skin debris) mixed with sebum. Comedones can be open to the air or closed by skin. Open comedones are commonly referred to as blackheads because exposure to the air leads to oxidation, making them look like black dots on the skin surface. Closed comedones are also known as whiteheads or pimples. If comedones get infected and inflamed, they can evolve into papules, pustules, or nodules.
Papules
A papula is a solid elevation of skin that contains no visible fluid. Papules can be pink, red, brown or purple, and vary in size from a pinhead to 10 mm in diameter. Papules can be a form of acne or a sign of another skin disease, for example, lichen planus.
Pustules
Like papules, pustules are small elevations of skin. Unlike papules, pustules contain white-yellow, yellow or yellow-brown fluid (pus), which consists of necrotic inflammatory cells. They can be white or red.
Nodules
Nodules are similar to papules and pustules, but they are located deeper in the skin, have a diameter greater than 5 mm (papules and pustules can be smaller), and can form clusters. Large, inflamed nodules used to be called cysts, but today the term “severe nodular acne” is considered more accurate.
It’s much easier to eliminate skin breakouts when they’re still at the comedone stage, but papules and pustules can be dealt with too, if they’re not too inflamed. In case of severe nodular acne, you should consult a dermatologist because cosmetic products and over-the-counter acne medications may be not enough to clear your skin and stop inflammation.
So, how to get rid of comedones and other kinds of acne and prevent their recurrence? First of all, you need to figure out the cause or causes of skin breakouts and eliminate them. For example, if you suspect that your acne may be caused by hormonal changes, you should probably consult a cosmetologist. But regardless of the cause, you should pick the right skincare products, which are designed to target acne, and use them properly.
To control acne, you need skincare products that contain antiseptic, absorbent and anti-inflammatory ingredients, as well as ingredients that help to regulate sebum secretion. In addition, acne-prone skin needs nourishment, hydration, and reliable protection from the environment (sun radiation, low temperatures, harsh wind, pollution, etc.), just like any other skin type.
To take proper care of acne-prone skin and prevent breakouts, try skincare products that contain the following active ingredients:
- salicylic or azelaic acid;
- zinc;
- cosmetic clay (kaolin, multani mitti, bentonite, etc.);
- eucalyptus extract or essential oil;
- tea tree extract or essential oil;
- activated carbon (charcoal);
- sulphur;
- benzyl peroxide;
- niacinamide (vitamin B3);
- retinol (vitamin A);
- propolis;
- menthol, peppermint extract or essential oils;
- alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs);
- bisabolol;
- panthenol;
- chamomile extract;
- aloe vera leaf juice.
These ingredients help to eliminate pathogenic flora, relieve inflammation, exfoliate the skin and deeply cleanse pores, normalise sebum secretion, soothe the skin, boost its regeneration, prevent scarring, produce a matte effect, and give a healthy complexion.
In our online shop Organic Store, you will find natural and organic products for problem skin, which contain effective plant-based ingredients that combat acne and prevent its recurrence. They are produced by Agor, Aromatika, Detox Expert, Detox Med, WildLife, and other brands. At Organic Store, we offer affordable prices, convenient payment methods, and international delivery to most corners of the world.