Almost everyone has experienced it. The dread of seeing that swelling bump on your skin, red and irritated, making you irritable, as well. So what can you do to be rid of them?
Pimples are just one form of acne. It can look like black dots, pus-filled bumps with a white center, or tender redness around a spot. Acne affects 1 in every 5 people all over the world. It is a common experience that has led most people to feel self-conscious about their appearance, lowering their self-esteem.
Recently, several acne-fighting products, tips, and tricks have been appearing across social media. Some are effective, but some may be more harmful to your skin and lead to worse symptoms.
Acne may seem difficult to get rid of, but with the proper tools and tips from a board-certified dermatologist, these pesky little things can be prevented, controlled, and even treated!
But first, what exactly is acne?
Acne is a skin condition affecting almost all people at some point in their lives. It happens when dead skin cells and oil clog the hair follicles under the skin, causing inflammation and breakouts.
Unfortunately, acne is not just found on your face, but can also be found on the shoulders, back, and chest.
There are six main types of acne spots:
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Blackheads – Appear as small, black bumps that occur when plugged hair follicles reach the skin surface and the oil or sebum gets discolored because of air
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Whiteheads – Plugged hair follicles that do not reach the skin surface and seem to look similar to blackheads except for their color
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Papules – Look like small, pink bumps on the skin that may feel tender or sore when touched
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Pustules – Appear similar to papules, only that they have a white or yellow center filled with pus
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Nodules – Large, solid lumps beneath the skin surface, and can be painful
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Cysts – Considered the most severe spot, appearing as large lumps with pus, with a great risk of scarring
Acne can manifest from seemingly harmless white bumps on the skin to large cysts that may even cause permanent damage to the skin.
But what causes acne in the first place?
As mentioned before, acne is caused by inflammation of a clogged hair follicle. Specific causes of acne, however, may include any of the following building up in the hair follicles.
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Bacterial growth (specifically, Propionibacterium acnes)
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A buildup of dead skin cells
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Excess production of oil
Many factors also lead to a higher risk of developing acne such as:
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Family history can increase the chance, especially if your parents had acne
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Specific types of medication can cause acne such as corticosteroids or hormones
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Hormonal changes such as an increase in androgen may lead to acne which typically happens for males and females going through puberty
Preventing and treating acne spots can feel like an impossible challenge, especially with some of the risk factors being out of our control. But there are ways to treat and control your breakouts!
What are specific ways I can treat my acne?
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Consult with a dermatologist.
It is always best to consult with a board-certified dermatologist who can talk you through what specific steps you can take to treat your acne given your skin type and other health conditions.
Kindred has consultation options for you! You can book a one-time Dermatology Consultation or take one step further and avail of the Dermatology Package where you get a consultation along with a Comedone Extraction to rid of your whiteheads and blackheads.
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Do not squeeze or pop your spots!
We get it. Popping the goop out of your pimples may seem satisfying and tempting. But doing so can worsen your acne! It can lead to skin damage and scarring, delay the natural healing of your pimples leading to dark spots or blemishes, and can also lead to the spread of bacteria into other pores.
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Use sun protection.
Exposure to solar radiation can worsen your acne! UV rays can not only trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, but can also lead to increased inflammation of your acne or flare-ups. The use of well-formulated sunscreens can prevent dark spots and even decrease inflammation.
Pure Culture offers an SPF 50 sunscreen moisturizer that can do just the job! The Dream Shield Universal Day Cream can protect the skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays, soothe irritated skin, and keep it soft without the greasy feel.
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Shampoo your hair regularly.
It is also important to shampoo your hair regularly, especially if you have oily hair! The oil from your hair can lead to acne on your forehead or cheeks. It is best to shampoo when your hair gets too oily and always try to keep your hair away from your face.
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Always keep your skin clean.
Dirt from our environment and even our hands can clog our pores and lead to acne, too. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face twice a day, at most, to remove dirt and excess oil or sebum.
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Find the right skincare for you!
Many skincare products are in the market and you can find them anywhere. Although they are easy to access, it may take some time to find the right skincare products for you.
We have different skin types and sensitivities, which may lead to incompatibility between others’ recommendations and our skin’s needs. It’s a matter of trial and error and a good grasp of the right ingredients for you!
One trick is to check product websites and their ingredients and crosscheck them with your skin’s needs and type whether it is normal, oily, dry, combination, or sensitive.
For example, you try checking Pure Culture and clicking on a product, hopefully, to help clear your blackheads. The Wild Algae Glow Up Serum catches your eye. It brightens dark spots, clarifies blackheads, and reduces inflammation. Good! Then, upon checking the ingredients, it is suitable for your combination skin type!
What about a product for oil control and evening out your skin tone? Pure Culture has another product suited to your needs! The Wild Algae Quench Crème 2.0 is a moisturizer for oily skin types that can help nourish skin, regulate oil production, and clear whiteheads and blackheads.
By understanding what acne is, its causes and risk factors, and ways to control and manage its symptoms, you can make informed decisions that can prevent, control, and treat acne.
We’ve all had our share of challenging experiences with acne. You’re not alone and Kindred is here to provide a safe space for you to consult about your skin condition through a dermatology consultation with expert dermatologists.
But if you feel social or emotional distress because of acne (or any other reason, really). You can book Kindred’s psychological consultation equipped with board-certified psychologists who can talk to and support you.
Last medically reviewed June 28,2025.