If you’re currently dealing with nasty, recurring breakouts, then it might be time to take a step back and have a close look at what you’re up against. After all, different types of pimples call for different remedies and treatments.
Luckily, breaking down each kind of blemish is simpler than you think. Below, we list down every culprit that’s corrupting your complexion. Know your enemy, pick your fighter, and reclaim that glow-up you deserve!
Have you ever noticed those pale, yellowish pinpricks clogging up your pores? They’re caused by oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and even makeup residue. Plus, they’re most commonly found across the T-zone, cheeks, and chin.
An oil-based cleanser or micellar water helps lift grime off the skin’s surface, preventing buildup and ensuring that you have a clean palette to work with before you proceed with the rest of your skincare routine.
These tiny, dark plugs are triggered by an overproduction of sebum. Oily skin types, beware: They love taking residence on your nose.
Use a foam cleanser infused with salicylic acid, which helps dissolve debris and regular skin cells. Try applying a clay mask as well—a mix infused with kaolin or bentonite should help detoxify your pores and leave your skin feeling smoother and suppler.
They’re plump, filled with pus, and certainly did not come to play. Apart from invading your face, these ruthless, red bumps can colonize your back and chest as well. They can be caused by hormonal imbalance, food intolerance, and environmental stressors—either way, they’re signs of infected, inflamed pore cavities. Ugh.
Use acne spot treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide, and follow up with a topical retinoid. For more natural remedies that are still effective, use products infused with tea tree oil to help reduce inflammation.
When a whitehead or blackhead gets irritated, it develops into a small, raised bump that looks like a rash. The skin around a papule is usually swollen, reddish, and usually does not have visible signs of pus.
Just like pustules, papules typically respond to formulas with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur. However, papules tend to leave long-term scars. To help brighten the skin tone, use a serum blended with vitamin C or niacinamide.
These are the tough monsters to fight. Luckily, you don’t need an army to conquer these creatures. Cysts are painful to the touch and linger deep within the skin. Integrate a drying lotion into your skincare routine, or apply an activated charcoal mask to give your pores a total detox.
When it comes to dealing with cystic acne, though, consult your dermatologist for possible treatments. At this point, try switching up your diet and eating foods rich in phytonutrients and probiotics. Make sure you get enough sleep too!
These are the big bosses you don’t want to mess with. Nodules are deep-set cysts that occur in the fatty layers of your skin and take longer to heal. They may not become as red, but they can become very painful and take weeks to go away.
A severe form of acne like nodules requires professional treatment from a dermatologist. On top of an acne-target skincare routine, you may be prescribed oral medication to help eliminate the bacteria trapped deep within your skin.
Knowing the different types of pimples is only half the battle. To win the war against acne, try using the Kylaz Blemish Healing Emulsion, which won Best Essence/Serum for Oily Skin in this year’s Cosmo Beauty Awards. This healing emulsion helps eliminate active pimples while protecting your face against further breakouts. It has tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and an entire roster of fresh botanicals that unclog pores, balance the skin’s pH levels, and speed up cellular renewal. In other words, it fights and prevents acne, providing long-term protection that eventually results to improved skin.
It’s also easy to use. After cleansing, simply apply a thin amount on your T-zone and other inflamed, acne-ridden areas. Follow up with the rest of your skincare routine, but this formula is best paired with the Kylaz Moisturizing Blemish Defense and the Kylaz Spot Off Treatment.
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