Acne is probably the toughest skin type to care for. Agreed right? Are you experiencing breakouts and congested skin? Are your blemishes a never-ending affair? You have come to the right place! In this blog, we will uncover the science behind acne, so you can work towards treating your acne problem better.

What Is Acne?

Acne is a medical condition where the pores of your skin get clogged by sebum, bacteria, and dirt. It is more common among teenagers but can happen to anyone. Do not get disheartened if you have acne. About 80% of the people in the world have experienced some form of acne between the age of 15-40. 

Commonly occurring acne is also called acne vulgaris. Acne can occur anywhere in your body. However, it is more common on your face, neck, back, and upper shoulder area. This is because the presence of oil glands is more on these parts of your body. 

Types Of Acne

Acne can take several forms. Some of the relevant symptoms of acne include:

Blackheads

These occur on the skin surface and are black in appearance because of being made up of dead skin cells and excess oil. They are open bumps on the skin.

• Whiteheads

These are closed bumps on the skin. They occur when oil and bacteria block the hair follicles from opening on the skin surface. Over-the-counter pills can be used to treat whiteheads.

Papules

These are painful pimples on the skin surface and appear in the form of red or pink bumps. They are sensitive to touch and may become inflamed. 

Pustules

These bumps contain pus and look like whiteheads surrounded by red rings. Avoid touching or picking these pimples as they may cause scarring.

Fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis)

These are itchy and inflamed acne that also gets yeast infection inside itself. An excess amount of yeast gets deposited into the hair follicles.

Nodules

These are large and painful pimples that are deep in your skin. They appear solid to touch and require the care of a dermatologist. 

Cysts

These are pus-filled lesions that may become painful. You need to see a dermatologist to treat your cyst condition. People who develop cysts are said to have a severe form of acne.

Causes Of Acne

Each pore of the skin is an opening for a hair follicle. Each hair follicle is made up of a single hair strand and sebaceous gland (it produces oil). The sebum produced by the sebaceous gland is supposed to keep the skin moisturized.

When your skin pores get blocked, it becomes difficult for the sebum to come on the surface of the skin. This causes the development of pimples on your skin. The various reasons for skin pores getting blocked includes:

1. Excess oil (sebum) production
2. Hair follicles getting clogged by oil and dead skin cells
3. Bacteria built up
4. Inflammation of the skin

Treatment For Acne

Treatment for acne generally depends on its severity. If you have mild acne, it can be treated with over-the-counter creams, skincare products, and home remedies. However, a severe form of acne requires the attention of a dermatologist.

Mild Acne

Please note that every skin is different and what may work for one may not work for another person. Face care products containing the below-mentioned ingredients can help you get rid of acne faster.

• Benzoyl peroxide

It helps treat acne by drying out pimples. It kills the acne-causing bacteria and prevents them from forming new pimples. 

• Salicylic acid

It is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps unclog the skin pores by removing dead skin cells. It also removes blackheads effectively to give you clear skin.

Moderate Acne

If your acne is not getting better after using over-the-counter treatments, consider seeing a dermatologist. This is because your acne condition may be moderate. Some of the moderate acne treatment that doctors may prescribe you includes:

• Acne treatment antibiotics like erythromycin or clindamycin
• Retinoids such as retinol
• Benzoyl peroxide in higher strength
• Some doctors even suggest hormonal birth control pills to manage acne

Severe Acne

When your acne consists of cysts and nodules that are not going away even after continuous treatments, your dermatologist may suggest medical procedures to eliminate acne and prevent scarring.

Some of these medical procedures are:

• Dermabrasion:  it is a type of exfoliation that removes the top layer of the skin to remove dead skin cells and prevent acne scarring. 

• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): It uses a special laser or light to reduce the overall oil production and limit the growth of bacteria. This helps reduce acne from spreading.

• Cortisone Injections:  Cysts are treated using cortisone injections. They also help reduce inflammation and heal scarred skin.

• Chemical Peel: These are one of the most famous methods to treat acne. They remove the top layer of the skin to reveal healthy skin underneath. 

Acne Home Remedies

There are many home remedies for acne being advertised. However, be cautious when trying them. Some remedies like putting toothpaste on your face are really not worth it. However, some easily available ingredients can be used at home to treat mild acne and acne scars. 

• Tea tree oil can be used to treat mild acne as a spot treatment. You can also go for face washes that contain tea tree oil. 
• Aloe vera is also found to be effective to be used in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Use unprocessed aloe vera gel extracted from the leaf of the plant and apply it to your acne areas.
• Try not to squeeze or pick your pimples as it helps the bacteria go into deeper layers of the skin. This causes bacteria to spread further and cause more pimples.
• Eat a balanced diet. Food high in sugar content has been found to trigger acne problems. Avoid cakes and cookies as much as you can.

Best Products For Acne:

• Acne Clarifying Serum from Nourish Mantra is made from a powerful “secret blend” that utilizes the knowledge of Ayurveda and modem science together, to deliver you the best acne skincare. This facial serum contains salicylic acid, niacinamide, thyme extracts, and cinnamon bark extract. It not only kills acne-causing bacteria but also prevents blemishes and fades acne scars.  

• Ratrani Clay Cleanser from Nourish Mantra is enriched with Moroccan lava clay, French clay, and activated charcoal to give you a clean, oil-free face. This cleanser will remove all the impurities from your face and deep clean your pores to remove the build-up of acne-causing bacteria. 

To Sum It Up

Acne is a tough skin condition to live with. But with a proper acne skincare routine and good acne skin care products, you can manage your breakouts effectively. Take the help of a dermatologist if your acne problem is worsening. No skin is perfect. Don't let your acne come in the way of your happiness.