Skin Conditions - Congested Skin, Breakouts and Acne

by Rayna van Aalst April 23, 2017

Clogged pores are follicles clogged with dead cell buildup and solidified sebum. When oxygen is blocked from the follicle, acne bacteria causes inflammation in it which leads to pimples.

An occasional breakout is not necessarily acne. Just like congested skin may never develop into pimples.

Acne may be mild (few, occasional pimples), moderate (inflammatory papules), or severe (nodules and cysts). Treatment depends on the severity of the condition.

There are several skin conditions which may be confused for acne such as rosacea, perioral dermatitis, allergies to name just a few.

Signs of acne

There are six main types of acne:

• Whiteheads - closed clogged pores
• Blackheads - open clogged pores caused by a mixture of dead cells buildup and oil. Contrary to what most people believe the dark color is caused by oxidation
• Papule - small red, tender bumps
• Pimples or pustules which are papules with pus at their tips
• Large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin
• Cysts - painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin

Causes of ageing skin

Acne and occasional breakouts can be caused by a variety of factors, but are usually influenced from external and internal factors such as environment, diet, and hormone levels.

Tips

• Consistency is key. Find the right products which work for you and use them regularly.
• Use products which are formulated to balance the skin’s sebum production.
• Look for ingredients which calm inflammation.
• Exfoliate regularly to remove the dead cell buildup and to reduce the chance of forming of blackheads and further inflammation.
• Don’t skip cleansing, both morning and evening. But do clean your face gently, avoiding harsh ingredients.
• As tough as it is, don’t scratch or pick on your pimples as this would only worsen the inflammation.
• Reduce your sugar, milk and dairy consumption as they are all linked to acne. Processed foods are also known triggers of inflammation.
• Make sure your diet is rich in fiber and omega-3 fats.
• Stress causes acne flare-ups so manage stress through meditation, yoga, saunas, massage, biofeedback, aromatherapy, and more.
• Make sure to check this article out on more help treating breakouts.

The condition of your skin such as dehydration, sensitivity, acne, etc or a combination of them, should also be taken into consideration when selecting your skincare products. Make sure to identify your skin type first though. 

Some skin conditions require consultation by a doctor.

Please note that this content is merely a guideline, not a medical advise.

Read more about other common skin conditions dehydration, hyperpigmentation, sensitivity, ageing.

 

 

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