Know Your Acne: Different Types of Acne (and what to do about them)

The pain of acne is real, be it physical or emotional. There are so many acne treatments in the marketplace today that they can be overwhelming. Start by evaluating your skin condition and determining the acne type you have. From there you can review and select the best products for your face acne treatment. Read on for more information that will help you identify the different types of acne.

Causes of Acne

The myths about the causes of acne are some of the most detrimental information circulating about acne, and have been for years. Acne is not caused by eating chocolate. It is not a result of not properly bathing. As a matter of fact, excessive cleaning of the areas inflames the skin and can worsen your acne. The two main factors are genetics and hormones.

Different Types of Acne and What to Do

Acne is such a broad term and such a complicated medical issue, that even defining types of acne can be confusing. They can be categorized as cystic or hormonal, non-inflammatory or inflammatory, graded I-IV based on severity. Let’s keep it simple by using the terms we are all familiar with when discussing different types of acne.

Blackheads

Blackheads appear when there is an open comedo—a hair follicle or pore that has gotten clogged with oil and dead skin. For this acne type, use a gentle cleanser like the Cleansing Face & Body Bar by SIBU. OTC cleansers containing drying agents like benzoyl peroxide can also be used, but may be too harsh and cause further skin damage and not be a good face acne treatment.

Whiteheads

The difference between whiteheads and blackheads is that a whitehead is a closed comedo, where a layer of skin has grown over the clogged pore, while a blackhead is an open comedo. Both are mild types of acne. Use of a gentle daily cleanser will result in fewer whiteheads. Both blackheads and whiteheads are considered non-inflammatory types of acne.

Papules

Papules are the type of acne where you start seeing red inflamed hard bumps, classified as inflammatory acne. As with all types of acne, do not pick at them, or you risk scarring. For this type of acne, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests using a daily cleanser with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. An excellent all-natural alternative is the Cleansing Face & Body Bar by SIBU, followed up with just a few dabs of Sea Berry Seed Oil. It may seem counterintuitive to put oil on your face, but this berry has been used for over 1300 years to improve skin and other health conditions. It softens and hydrates the skin, keeping it more healthy and resulting in fewer blemishes.

Pustules

When the blemishes get a little larger and infected, this type of acne is known as a pustule. When dealing with different types of acne, this is the point where you may want to consult a dermatologist. You may need prescription strength cleansers or creams and gels; however, products rich in sea buckthorn berry are still very effective for this type of acne. Depending on the severity, a dermatologist may also prescribe oral medication, usually an antibiotic like doxycycline.

Nodules

Nodules are large bumps deep under the skin. They are very red and painful. This type of acne will oftentimes leave scars, but with proper treatment, the scars can be kept to a minimum. Nodules will sometimes have to be drained by a dermatologist, and if you suffer from this type of acne, you will certainly need to take an oral prescription to reduce the size and number of nodules.

Cysts

Cysts are a much more severe type of acne and must be treated by a medical professional. Cysts are pus-filled, bright or dark red, and can be very painful. Sometimes cysts must be surgically removed.Whether you suffer from common acne types (Acne vulgaris) or a more severe type of acne like Acne Fulminans, any face acne treatment you use can be enhanced through the use of products made with sea buckthorn berry by SIBU. See how these people used sea buckthorn products to help treat the different types of acne.