All acne is not created equal. This makes perfect sense, seeing as there are so many factors — i.e. hygiene, hormones, and genetics — that can both lead to and exacerbate your breakouts. But knowledge is power, and just knowing that there are different types and that each kind requires its own plan of attack puts you ahead of the clear-skin curve.
Once you figure out what you’re working with, it gets far easier to treat. From there, you can determine what kinds of ingredients and products will work most efficiently to clear up breakouts and prevent new zits from popping up (and tempting you to pop them). This is the ultimate guide to identifying and then taking down every type of acne out there, according to board-certified dermatologists. Find out how to identify and deal with the different kinds of acne, including blackheads, whiteheads, blind pimples, and cystic zits — because not all purported acne-fighting formulas effectively fight all types of acne.
Now, let’s clarify a few things about different types of acne, so you can get to work clarifying your skin.
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What You’re Seeing: A sudden sprinkling of zits around your chin and jawline.
What’s Going On: Do you tend to get these at the same time every month — say, just before you get your period? Because these are the work of fluctuating hormones, says Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Hormones can put oil production into overdrive, and having an excess of it means that it’s more likely to settle in your pores and cause zits.
How to Handle It: Pair two of the best-known acne-fighting ingredients, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, in the week leading up to your period. The combo can help prevent hormonal acne from happening in the first place. Zeichner suggests following a salicylic acid wash like fan-favorite Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser ($8), with a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment such as Glossier Zit Stick ($14). If you’re still seeing zits, “Visit your dermatologist to discuss prescription options, like birth control pills, oral spironolactone — which blocks oil — or topical Aczone 7.5 percent gel,” says Zeichner. “It’s shown to be particularly effective in adult women without causing irritation.” Oral contraceptives level out those hormone fluctuations, keeping your oil production normal and your skin clear.
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