Acne-prone skin is actually part of the normal variation of skin. Acne is an inflammatory condition of the hair follicle, which causes the skin to become inflamed, red, and swollen.
Acne is a skin condition that causes bumps, pimples, and blackheads — and that can make your face and chest look something like the side of a garbage truck.
Acne can be caused by hormones, stress, diet, and environment.
The problem is that it’s often a difficult one to treat. Acne-prone skin can be a bit tricky as you can’t really tell what will or won’t work.
Here is more information to help you to understand what exactly acne-prone skin means and some tips and tricks that can help you clear up those pesky pimples.
What Does Acne-Prone Skin Mean?
To see what acne-prone skin means, just look at someone with acne. Typically, pimples appear as dark, circular spots that are surrounded by smooth skin.
The typical acne spot, or a pimple, is generally smaller than a nickel and is filled with oil. The acne lesions are often surrounded by yellow-colored pus, which is a mix of dead skin cells and liquid glands.
A regular pimple is not uncommon and can be caused by all the usual suspects like genetics, stress, hormones, oral health, lack of hydration, and more.
With acne-prone skin, you will experience skin rashes. Most likely, your skin looks rough because of your acne, rashes are usually present on the affected areas of your skin.
Even if your skin doesn’t have a rash, you might experience dryness and redness, blackheads and whiteheads.
Acne-prone skin is usually pale, dry, and rough. It tends to be much larger than other skin types, and it might even bulge out of your skin.
If someone has acne-prone skin, the acne is caused by both acne-causing factors and also due to genetic factors.
How Do I Know If I Have Acne-Prone Skin?
Acne-prone skin typically results from the overproduction of oil and sebum (oil) by the sebaceous glands. Both are characterized by large pores and excessive sebum production.
When these glands are overactive they produce excessive amounts of both oil and sebum which make the skin look greasy, shiny and dull.
Even though oily skin is often associated with acne, people with acne-prone skin may not show up with red, inflamed pimples because pimples are just the visible skin manifestation of the many blemishes that are going on in the under-eye area.
In many cases, acne-prone skin is less oily than typical, but it still contains sebum.
Though some people can be acne-prone in general, acne-prone skin is the skin that develops pimples often due to clogged pores and/or excess sebum.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne-prone skin is the skin that tends to develop pimples frequently, whether they are isolated or the skin blemishes develop into a series of bumps.
Anyone with this skin type has the potential for developing breakouts. Such breakouts often appear in the lower half of the face, below the jawline, and under the chin.
Acne-Prone Skin Tips
Protect yourself from the sun. This is one of the best skin tips for a lot of people because exposure to UV rays can trigger breakouts. When the sun’s rays reach your face, they tend to scorch your skin and cause your skin to develop spots. Plus, your skin absorbs more sun and skin damage than it does during the cooler months.
Be careful with tools. Getting a manicure or pedicure can be rough on your skin, especially if the person you’re getting one from doesn’t use a lot of water when scrubbing your feet.
Hydrate regularly. Your body needs to be hydrated to remove toxins and clear out excess oil and dirt. Take a bath. Using a bath can help you to hydrate your skin and give it a good soak.
Skincare Routine Tips
Use a Water Soluble Cleanser – Water soluble cleansers are developed to not leave any unwanted residue on the face. And when you use this gentle facial cleanser, it doesn’t contain any alcohol which will cause irritations.
Exfoliate – Exfoliation is an extremely important yet underrated part of any skincare routine. Every man, not only those with acne-prone skin, should exfoliate twice a week. Exfoliating routine peels away the dead layers of skin and leaves a refreshed look on the face.
Use a Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin – Even if you have acne-prone skin, your skin care regimen doesn’t be complicated. A facial cleanser, exfoliating scrub, and moisturizer for morning and evening are all you need to have.
Many people make the mistake of overdoing the acne treatment, thinking that more is better. This mistake leads to dry skin and further irritation.
To combat the dryness, use a moisturizer that is non-comedogenic and formulated for acne-prone skin.
FAQs
How does someone develop acne-prone skin?
Normally, when someone has normal or acne-free skin, there is no excessive oil or sebum production because the overlying skin is cleansed well.
However, when acne-prone skin occurs, there is a much higher oil production, which is often due to an unbalanced pH level and extra-sensitive skin.
It’s the excessive oil production that results in the large pores on the skin.
There are many other different reasons that can lead to acne-prone skin as well, which are listed in this article.
Should I Wash the Face More Often If I Have Acne-Prone Skin?
Washing your face in the morning and evening is enough even for someone with this type of skin. You don’t need to wash your skin more often.
I Have Acne-Prone Skin: Is This a Sign of Bad Hygiene?
Being acne-prone is not a sign of bad hygiene, because this is entirely made up from your genetics,
Does Acne-Prone Skin Ever Go Away?
There is no simple answer. Acne can go away when you get older, however, you can develop acne even in your 40s, 50s and 60s.
Conclusion
Acne-prone skin can be prevented and treated with the daily use of good skincare products that don’t dry and irritate the skin.
However, it is always advisable to seek advice from a dermatologist or skin specialist if these skincare products don’t work for you.