{"id":28914,"date":"2024-05-06T16:44:12","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T20:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prose.com\/blog\/?p=28914"},"modified":"2025-06-18T12:25:31","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T16:25:31","slug":"different-types-of-breakouts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prose.com\/blog\/different-types-of-breakouts","title":{"rendered":"The Different Types of Breakouts, And What They Mean"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Different Types of Acne, and What Causes Each<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, it helps to understand the different \u201cseverities\u201d of breakouts. On the low end, there are \u201ccomedones\u201d, which are blackheads and whiteheads. Next is \u201cinflammatory acne\u201d which are tender to the touch and can also originate as comedones. Don\u2019t push on these papules and pustules, no matter how poppable they appear, as you risk deep-tissue damage due to their inflammation. The most severe breakouts are called \u201cnodular\u201d, which can manifest as nodules or cysts; these are the ones that feel tender to the touch, are deeply embedded beneath the skin, and can swell to large sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More on the most common culprits behind each of these types of acne below, with Crumm\u2019s insights. This may help you understand the root of your own breakouts, if they haven\u2019t already been diagnosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Comedones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blackheads: <\/strong>Those pesky little darkened heads call attention to your pores, and can pop up in large patches, no less. Crumm cites excess oil production as the key contributing factor. \u201cOveractive sebaceous glands can lead to the accumulation of oil, contributing to blackhead formation,\u201d he says. But improper cleansing is a close second. \u201cNot cleansing the skin properly or regularly can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells and oil, clogging pores,\u201d says Crumm. He suggests taking audit of your skincare or makeup products, too, to ensure that their ingredients don\u2019t clog pores or aggravate blackheads. You might need to search the web for their \u201ccomedogenic rating\u201d, if so. Otherwise, stick with products that promise to be non-comedogenic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whiteheads: <\/strong>Are you possibly experiencing a fluctuations in hormones? Because that\u2019s a key factor behind whiteheads, says Crumm. Puberty, menstruation, certain medications, and even stress can all increase oil production, which can then clog up inside pores and lead to whiteheads, he explains. And while blackheads often result from improper cleansing, whiteheads might sprout up due to inadequate or irregular exfoliation, Crumm says. \u201cThe accumulation of dead skin cells, along with oil, can clog pores.\u201d Lastly, just like hormones can play a role, genetics also determine one\u2019s skin type and susceptibility to acne, Crumm adds. \u201cThis includes the development of whiteheads.\u201d A predisposition just means that you need to build your skincare regimen around products that mitigate acne formation. (More on that below.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammatory Acne<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Papules: \u201c<\/strong>Papules are often a result of inflammatory responses in the skin, which can be triggered by irritants, allergies, or bacterial overgrowth,\u201d says Crumm. Use acne products that target this bacteria in particular. Similarly, bad habits can be behind these inflamed blemishes: \u201cOverwashing, scrubbing too hard, or using harsh skincare products can damage the skin barrier and lead to inflammation and papules.\u201d And don\u2019t be shocked at this news, but hormonal changes can also contribute to papules, which often start out as whiteheads in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pustules:<\/strong> Like papules, pustules can originate with bacterial buildup in the pores, but so can a diet high in inflammatory foods, says Crumm. \u201cDiets high in sugar and dairy have been linked to increased inflammation, potentially contributing to the development of pustules.\u201d If you\u2019ve ever noticed an increase in pustules during seasonal shifts or particular calendar months, then it\u2019s not just you: \u201cEnvironmental factors like humidity and urban pollution can aggravate the skin and induce pustules,\u201d Crumm explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nodular Acne<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nodules and Cysts:<\/strong> These aren\u2019t one in the same, but their origins can often be traced to similar factors. (As for their key difference, nodules have more solid mass, while cysts are filled with pus.) Both can be triggered by hormonal changes, \u201cespecially those related to androgens [testosterone and estrogen],\u201d says Crumm. And thus, anything that spikes your stress levels (which can yield a hormone flux) can also induce nodules and cysts, he adds. Here\u2019s some stress-inducing information for those of us who do experience this severe form of acne: It\u2019s often predisposed by our genetics, says Crumm. So, you and your friend might experience the same stressful situation, but you end up with the painful blemishes across your face, and s\/he gets off without so much as a whitehead. C\u2019est la vie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Ingredients for Preventing Breakouts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a predisposition to any type of acne, or you anticipate a scenario where you might experience any kind of breakout, you can use targeted skincare ingredients to prevent (and treat) each type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Ingredients for Comedones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here are Crumm\u2019s favorite ingredients to help prevent and target comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salicylic Acid<\/strong>: \u201cIt is oil-soluble, so it can penetrate [past skin\u2019s lipid layer] into pores to dissolve sebum and dead skin cells,\u201d says Crumm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benzoyl Peroxide<\/strong>: This is effective in killing acne-causing bacteria, even in more inflammatory cases, he explains. (Be careful, as topical benzoyl products can bleach your towels and pillowcases.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glycolic Acid<\/strong>: \u201cThis exfoliates the surface of the skin, helping to clear dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to acne,\u201d Crumm says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Ingredients for Inflammatory Acne<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And here are Crumm\u2019s top recommendations for ingredients that prevent and treat more severe cases of acne\u2014the inflammatory blemishes like papules, pustiles, nodules, and cysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tretinoin<\/strong>: This prescription-grade retinoid is a Vitamin A derivative that accelerates skin cell turnover, says Crumm. (Be warned, it may cause skin purging<\/a> at the start.) \u201cIt also helps in unclogging pores, and has anti-inflammatory properties.\u201d All retinoids produce their best results after about 90 days, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salicylic Acid<\/strong>: Similar to its benefits for comedones, salicylic acid can prevent inflammatory cases which might otherwise start out as whiteheads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prose<\/a> products are not intended to treat acne but might be personalized to help reduce the appearance of breakouts.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The more you know!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":28476,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,382],"tags":[487,508,479,251,489,499,486],"class_list":["post-28914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-category-expert-advice","category-expert-tips","tag-acne","tag-blemishes","tag-new","tag-oily","tag-skin","tag-skin-routine","tag-skincare"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Different Types of Breakouts, And What They Mean | Prose<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are so many things that can cause a breakout but each reason might result in a different type of blemish. 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