{"id":25000,"date":"2025-12-23T01:21:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T01:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=25000"},"modified":"2025-12-23T01:21:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T01:21:09","slug":"25000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=25000","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>We\u2019re here to share what we know \u2014 but don\u2019t take it as medical advice. Talk to your medical provider if you have questions.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-6\">\n<div id=\"usa-people.com_responsive_1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Most of us have experienced acne at some point, but knowing what kind of acne you\u2019re dealing with is essential to finding an effective treatment. For blackheads, following a skincare routine and applying an over-the-counter topical cream will often do the trick.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\"><\/div>\n<p>But something like cystic acne, which forms deep inside the pores, may need a prescription from a dermatologist. This guide explains the different types of acne, its causes, and how acne progresses. We\u2019ll also explain how to treat breakouts and share some ingredients that work for mild, moderate, and severe acne.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-9\"><\/div>\n<h1><b>Types of acne<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><u>Acne vulgaris<\/u>\u00a0is a chronic skin condition that begins with\u00a0<u>clogged pores<\/u>. It manifests in many ways\u2014everything from non-inflammatory\u00a0<u>blackheads<\/u>\u00a0to inflammatory cysts can fall under the acne umbrella. Acne types include blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, and cysts (or nodules).<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\">\n<div id=\"usa-people.com_responsive_2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The differences between the acne types depend on inflammation and whether the blemish is pus-filled, at the skin\u2019s surface, or buried deep in the dermis. Research shows that some degree of inflammation is involved at every stage of acne vulgaris.\u00b9 But most dermatology providers separate acne into two categories: non-inflammatory and inflammatory. Non-inflammatory acne includes open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads).<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-10\"><\/div>\n<p>Inflammatory lesions include what most people think of as pimples (papules and pustules), as well as nodules or cysts that form deep inside clogged pores.\u00a0<strong>Here are the differences between the various types of acne:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-5\"><\/div>\n<h1>Non-inflammatory acne<\/h1>\n<p>Non-inflammatory acne forms open and closed comedones that aren\u2019t red or painful to the touch. There are two types:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><u>Whiteheads<\/u><\/b>: Small clogged pores that look like little white bumps because of trapped oil and dead skin cells.Whiteheads are closed comedones because they\u2019re not open to the skin\u2019s surface. Instead, they form a white, pus-filled head (hence the name!).<\/li>\n<li><b><u>Blackheads<\/u><\/b>: Small clogged pores that turn black because the trapped oil and dead skin cells are exposed to the air. Blackheads are called open comedones because they\u2019re exposed to the skin\u2019s surface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Inflammatory acne<\/h1>\n<p>Inflammatory acne manifests as red, painful, inflamed lesions that vary in size.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-8\">\n<div id=\"usa-people.com_responsive_3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Smaller lesions are called papules and pustules, while larger lesions are cysts or nodules. Here are the differences:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Papules<\/b>: Tender bumps with redness and swelling caused by inflammation. Papules are usually less than 5 millimeters in size and don\u2019t form a head.<\/li>\n<li><b>Pustules<\/b>: \u201cSqueezable\u201d inflamed pimples with a visible central core of pus (that white sludge most people know all too well!).Pustules are usually raised and can be anywhere from 1-5 millimeters in size.<\/li>\n<li><b>Nodules<\/b>: Large, firm, reddish lumps that extend deeper than a papule and are often painful. Nodules feel hard and almost knot-like to the touch. They can last for weeks and may require a dermatologist or dermatology provider\u2019s help to treat.<\/li>\n<li><b>Cysts<\/b>: These are painful, under-the-skin pimples (sometimes referred to as blind pimples or invisible pimples) that may take a long time to go away.Cysts (aka\u00a0<u>cystic acne<\/u>) are inflamed bumps that run deep under the skin\u2019s surface. The difference between cysts and nodules is that cysts generally contain pus.\u00b2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>\u201cFungal acne\u201d<\/h1>\n<p>Don\u2019t let the name fool you\u2014\u201c<u>fungal acne<\/u>\u201d isn\u2019t really acne. It\u2019s caused by an overgrowth of\u00a0<i>Malassezia<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s an acneiform, more accurately referred to as\u00a0<i>Malassezia<\/i>\u00a0or\u00a0<i>Pityrosporum<\/i>\u00a0folliculitis. It forms clusters of small, uniform pimples that tend to spread across a central area, like the forehead, jaw, chest, or back. \u201cFungal acne\u201d can be itchy and may form pockets of white or yellow pus.\u00b3<\/p>\n<h1>Stages of acne<\/h1>\n<p>Not every clogged pore or pimple will go through the same stages.<\/p>\n<p>That means not everyone with a whitehead or blackhead will experience full-blown pustular acne (thank goodness!). If you treat your skin regularly with the right stuff, like your Curology personalized prescription formula, you can potentially help prevent mild acne such as clogged pores from growing into bigger problems.<\/p>\n<h1>Acne severity<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Mild acne<\/b>\u00a0appears as a few papules, whiteheads, and\/or blackheads close to the skin\u2019s surface.It\u2019s mostly non-inflammatory.<\/li>\n<li><b>Moderate acne<\/b>\u00a0appears as more than a few comedones, papules, and\/or pustules. It\u2019s generally more likely to be inflammatory.<\/li>\n<li><b>Severe acne<\/b>\u00a0occurs when clogged pores result in a lot of pimples, redness, and inflammation. Large cysts or nodules (greater than 5 millimeters in size) are common.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>What causes clogged pores?<\/h1>\n<p>Dead skin cells and excess oil (sebum) mix together to clog pores.<\/p>\n<p>Normally, dead skin cells slough off on their own, but when there\u2019s too much sebum, build-up can occur that backs up the sloughing process. Acne-causing bacteria,\u00a0<i>Cutibacterium acnes<\/i>\u00a0(formerly known as\u00a0<i>Propionibacterium acnes<\/i>) also plays a role along with multiple other complex mechanisms.\u2074<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a perfect storm of factors that could turn one little pimple into a full-blown breakout\u2014especially if you squeeze, pinch, or pop!<\/p>\n<h1>Getting to know pimples<\/h1>\n<p>How to treat acne depends on what type of blemish you\u2019re treating. Clogged pores without inflammation can be treated differently from full-blown cystic acne.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the basics of pimple management:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Clogged pores without inflammation<\/b>\u00a0(blackheads and whiteheads). A proper skincare routine is your first defense against non-inflammatory acne, including a cleanser, treatment cream, and moisturizer. Many over-the-counter treatment options will do the trick.Look for ingredients that exfoliate the skin\u2019s surface and control sebum, like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). AHAs and BHAs are available in treatment creams, gels, lotions, and facil cleansers.<\/li>\n<li><b>Inflamed lesions<\/b>\u00a0(papules, pustules, and cysts). When pores become inflamed, prescription acne treatment is generally a better option\u2014not only will you be working under the expert care of a dermatology provider, you\u2019ll be using ingredients proven to fight acne.Prescription-strength\u00a0<u>clindamycin<\/u>\u00a0and\u00a0<u>tretinoin<\/u>\u00a0can treat and help prevent inflamed acne. And remember, the big difference between papules and pustules and cysts or nodules is size and severity. Picking, squeezing, or popping inflamed pimples may make them worse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"css-aqwysk e1f5olhg4\">\n<li class=\"css-1e5xf9p e1f5olhg3\">\n<p class=\"css-8abn85 e1f5olhg6\"><b>Fungal acne<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>The first step to treating \u201cfungal acne\u201d is to help prevent the environment that makes it thrive. Do your laundry regularly, shower after sweating, and consider adding a skincare product with\u00a0<u>zinc pyrithione<\/u>\u00a0to your routine. Use ingredients with antimicrobial properties that help stop the growth of acne-causing fungus and bacteria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Pomade acne<\/b>.Hair care products can also clog pores. Pomade is a waxy or water-based hair styling product that gives hair a shiny appearance. It\u2019s such a common culprit of acne around the hairline that it\u2019s referred to as\u00a0<u>pomade acne<\/u>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"css-8abn85 e1f5olhg6\">You can try an overnight hydrocolloid bandage in a pinch!<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_25000\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"25000\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"far\" data-icon=\"chart-bar\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-chart-bar fa-w-16 fa-2x\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M396.8 352h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V108.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v230.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm-192 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V140.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v198.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm96 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V204.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v134.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zM496 400H48V80c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16H16C7.16 64 0 71.16 0 80v336c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h464c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-16c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16zm-387.2-48h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8v-70.4c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v70.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We\u2019re here to share what we know \u2014 but don\u2019t take it as medical advice. Talk to your medical provider if you have questions. Most of us have experienced acne at some point, but knowing what kind of acne you\u2019re dealing with is essential to finding an effective treatment. For blackheads, following a skincare routine&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=25000\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_25000\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"25000\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"far\" data-icon=\"chart-bar\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-chart-bar fa-w-16 fa-2x\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M396.8 352h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V108.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v230.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm-192 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V140.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v198.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zm96 0h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8V204.8c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v134.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8zM496 400H48V80c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16H16C7.16 64 0 71.16 0 80v336c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h464c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-16c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16zm-387.2-48h22.4c6.4 0 12.8-6.4 12.8-12.8v-70.4c0-6.4-6.4-12.8-12.8-12.8h-22.4c-6.4 0-12.8 6.4-12.8 12.8v70.4c0 6.4 6.4 12.8 12.8 12.8z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":860,"today_views":0},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25000"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25000\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25007,"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25000\/revisions\/25007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}