Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Acne Vs Pimples: The Key Differences
We use acne and pimples interchangeably. But there’s a clear difference between one and the other.
The key difference between acne and pimples is that acne is a skin condition and pimples are one of its prime symptoms (appearing in different forms)
Meaning?
Pimples are one of the early types of mild acne. Having said that, if you have occasional pimples it doesn’t mean you have acne-prone skin. I hope this makes it simpler. Wait, there’s more to this.
Let’s dig deep into understanding acne vs pimples, and types of acne including some of the useful products for acne prevention.
What Is Acne
You may wonder — what is acne? Acne is one of the most common skin conditions occurring due to excessive sebum (an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands) in the pores under your skin. The pores and glands are connected through the thin hair follicles falling on the epidermis layers of the skin.
When your skin is exposed to the environment and humidity, the tiny particles of the pollutants and bacteria get trapped inside the pores of the skin leading to dead skin cells. The dead skin cells and sebum combine to form blackheads causing different types of acne.
St.Botanica Recommends Anti Acne Products
St.Botanica offers a wide collection of anti-acne products specially designed for people with serious concerns like acne and pimples. All of these products are curated with acne-fighting botanical ingredients and other natural components to help you replenish your skin from the inside. Here’s our curated list of St.Botanica recommended anti-acne products:
St.Botanica Recommends Neem, Tea Tree And Basil Anti Acne Face Wash, 100ml
St.Botanica brings you Neem, TeaTree and Basil Face Wash that work best for oily skin conditions to gently remove all the dirt and grime from your face without drying it out. Neem helps fight acne-causing germs and subdue skin irritation. The tea tree has healing properties to help guard the outer layer of the skin. Basil helps to cleanse your skin profoundly. This face wash has the ultimate skin cleansing and acne-fighting properties to wipe off dead skin cells and control excess sebum giving your healthy-looking clear skin.
St.Botanica Recommends Neem, Tea Tree And Basil Anti Acne Face Scrub, 100g
St.Botanica’s Neem, Tea Tree, and Basil Anti-Acne Face Scrub is made with the purifying properties of Neem, Tea Tree, and Basil to scrub away all the dirt, impurities and grime sitting deep inside the pores of your skin. The smooth textured consistency of the products permeates into the skin and proffers great exfoliation, removing stubborn blackheads, whiteheads and other impurities, resulting in clean and clear skin. Suitable for all skin types, it also helps heals and soothes the skin to subdue any kind of irritation. Cosmetic experts suggest using this face scrub twice a week to get rid of acne, blemishes and dark spots on your skin.
St.Botanica Recommends Neem, Tea Tree And Basil Anti Acne Clay Mask, 100g
St.Botanica’s Neem, Tea Tree And Basil Anti Acne Clay Mask has the acne clearance properties to efficiently draw out the trapped oil and impurities from your skin and calm the irritated skin. This anti-acne face pack is infused with all the goodness of plant extracts like Neem, Basil and Tea Tree to unclog the pores and fight mild acne forms including blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Inculcate this clay mask to your skin care regimen and it will help nourish the deeper layers of the skin bringing out the inner glow.
St.Botanica Recommends Neem, Tea Tree And Basil Anti Acne Body Scrub, 200ml
St.Botanica’s Neem, Tea Tree And Basil Anti Acne Body Scrub is enriched with the goodness of neem, basil and tea tree extract that helps your skin’s outer layer to regain its moisture and give out a radiant glow throughout the day. With the benefits of fighting acne-causing germs, Neem helps pacify skin irritations. The Tea Tree controls excess oil production in the skin thereby preventing acne. Add this anti-acne body scrub in your self-routine to get rid of acne and pimples and nurture your body to achieve an even skin texture.
St.Botanica Recommends Neem, Tea Tree And Basil Anti Acne Body Wash / Shower Gel, 250ml
St.Botanica’s Neem, Tea Tree and Basil Body Wash is permeated with the goodness of all-natural components including Neem, Basil, and Tea Tree that help kill germs while removing excess oil, sweat and dirt from your skin. Basil is an ideal ingredient to get rid of acne skin conditions, control oil, and cleanse your skin without drying. It helps abolish all the impurities, calm skin inflammation and re-energize your body as you step out of the shower. The hydrating properties of this anti-acne body wash help nourish your skin, and diminish sunburns, and pigmentation.
Types Of Acne
As we already know that acne is one of the common skin conditions that occurs due to excessive oil production combined with dirt and dead skin cells. They are usually found on the forehead, face, shoulder, chest, and upper portion of the back in mild, moderate or severe forms.
Below are the different types of acne in its various forms:
Whiteheads: Tiny bumps on the skin filled with oil and dead skin cells.
Blackhead: When these tiny bumps are exposed to environmental pollution the dirt gets trapped into bumps containing oil and dead skin cells. The oxidative stress of whiteheads leads to blackheads.
Papules: Acne papules are the results of deposited dirt, bacteria, and oil sitting inside the pores of your skin causing small red/pink inflamed bumps. It can be due to hormonal imbalance, or adverse reactions to medications.
Pustules: As the name suggests, pustules are filled with a tiny amount of pus in the pimples. It occurs due to skin inflammation as a result of food allergies, environmental stressors or insect bites.
Cystic Acne: Cystic acne occurs mainly due to painful, hard and inflamed pustules on the skin. The pus-filled cysts in the large portion of skin seem oozy, crusty and in white to a yellowish colour called Cystic Acne.
Nodules: When bacteria gets trapped in the pores along with sebum and dead skin, the result is red and swollen bumps underneath your skin. Unlike other acne forms, it is severe acne that doesn’t have a head and is painful to touch.
Causes Of Acne
The main reason for acne is clogged pores and hair follicles with excess oil and dead skin cells. The primary factors contributing to acne and pimples are excess oil, blocked hair follicles, bacteria and inflammation. Here are some of the causes of acne:
Hormonal Changes – With the imbalance of androgen hormones in boys and girls during puberty cause an increase in sebum production leading to excess oil and acne.
Certain Medication: Sometimes OTC (Over-the-Counter) medicines contain adulterated drugs and harmful ingredients causing hormonal changes and adverse skin reactions like acne.
Diet: Dermatologists explain that certain foods (bread, bagels, snacks) contain a high concentration of carbohydrates causing severe acne infections. An individual may be allergic to certain dairy products worsening acne.
Stress- Stress doesn’t cause acne but it inhibits the process of healing and acne prevention. It may even worsen it.
What Are Pimples
You might ask if acne is all about blocked hair follicles, what are pimples, exactly?
Pimples are one of the acne symptoms again developed by clogged glands and hair follicles inflamed by bacteria. They appear like raised red spots. You can consider it the primary or mild version of acne.
Types Of Pimples
As we understood earlier, pimples are one of the many symptoms of acne. So, all types of acne were once pimples that took mild to severe forms such as Pustules, Papules, or Cystic Acne.
Causes Of Pimples
Again, as pimples are symptoms of acne skin-condition the causes of pimples are similar to that of acne. Hence, next time you encounter frequent pimples popping on your face, address it as one of the causes of acne and take appropriate action.
Difference Between Acne & Pimples
There’s not much of a difference between acne and pimples. But let’s wrap up the key differences between the two to make it easy for you:
Acne Vs Pimples: Final Verdict
Pimples are one of the common symptoms of acne-prone skin and an essential one of mild forms of acne. In another way, pimples are just alarms and signs to become alert before you develop severe forms of acne – Cysts, Papules, Pustules, or Nodules.
Next time you encounter a pimple on your face, do not misunderstand it as acne. Take careful measures to treat pimples and it will never lead you to acne. Also, if the acne condition gets serious, visit your dermatologist right away and get a prescribed acne treatment.
We hope the sky is clear for acne vs pimples. Stay tuned for more of such interesting topics.
FAQs on Difference Between Acne & Pimples
Question 1: When are pimples considered acne?
Answer 1: When raised red clogged hair follicles with oil and dirt on the skin, develop whitish yellowish pus due to bacterial inflammation, pimples can be termed acne.
Question 2: How can I clear acne?
Answer 2: There are a lot of ways for acne prevention. However, the most effective way to fight and prevent acne is to firstly understand the cause behind the acne be it lifestyle habits, hormones, or medication. Once you know the exact reason, start working on it. Alternatively, you can try and incorporate St.Botanica’s Anti-acne skin care and body care products to treat acne.
Question 3: Does aloe vera help acne?
Answer 3: Yes, Aloe Vera is a great natural ingredient with anti-bacterial and soothing properties to help control and reduce acne-causing bacteria. Try our St.Botanica’s Aloe Vera Products for acne prevention. It’s also one of the best home remedies for whiteheads.
Question 4: How long does acne last?
Answer 4: It totally depends on your skin type. There is no defined time about how long it takes for the acne to heal. On average it takes up to 2-6 weeks for the skin to clear up acne depending on the types of acne form (mild, moderate or severe).
Question 5: How many pimples are considered acne?
Answer 5: If you have 20 to 50 inflamed bumps, they can be considered moderate acne. A dermatologist examines the cause and usually prescribes medication for moderate to severe acne forms.
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