Get To Know The Difference Between Acne and Pimples!

Unless you are incredibly blessed with good genes and environment, chances are you have experienced acne or pimples at least once, right? Acne and pimples are words often used interchangeably to describe those red pustules living rent-free on our skin on bad days. But do you know the difference between acne and pimples?

Acne is a skin condition (or a disease), and pimples are a symptom of that condition. In other words, you can get pimples occasionally without having acne, but if you have acne, you will experience pimples as part of the skin condition!

Would you like to know more about pimples and acne, their causes, and how to treat them? Read on!

Pimples VS Acne

Pimples and acne are annoying things that all of us do not want to see on our skin. Despite the mutual (negative) feeling, knowing the difference between acne and pimples can help you prevent or treat them accordingly.

Pimples include blackheads and whiteheads, which are non-inflammatory pimples caused by a mixture of dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria. Blackheads are created when this mixture oxidises, turning it black in colour. Another type of pimple is milia, which happens when the skin grows over dead skin cells.

Inflammatory pimples are those with yellow or white goo underneath growing bumps caused by bacterial infection. When the pimples go untreated, they can spread to other areas of the skin.

Acne happens when the skin experiences recurring pimples, whether non-inflammatory or inflammatory. The main difference here is that pimples are a symptom of acne, whereas acne is a skin problem/condition. This means that people who have acne-prone skin will experience pimples as part of their acne condition. However, not everyone who gets an occasional pimple has an acne condition

Causes of Pimples and Acne

There are multiple causes of acne, but they can be boiled down to health, environment, food intake, and skincare.

1. Health
   Skin is our biggest organ, and it reflects the things going on inside your body. Issues with the gut system or hormonal cycles can trigger pimples and acne to appear on the skin. For women, the menstrual cycle and pregnancy can usually trigger acne as the body changes, causing the skin to produce more or less sebum, leading to breakouts.
   
   Genetics is also under the health category, which plays a significant factor in determining acne formation.

2. Environment
   If you live in hot and humid weather (like we have in Malaysia!), acne can appear easily compared to those living in mild weather conditions. Hot weather means we sweat more, and when the bacteria merges with sweat, dust, and dead skin cells on the skin, acne and pimples might be triggered.
   
   Air pollution also is not great for the skin as the small particles can clog the pores. If you live in busy cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, others, do be aware of this and clean your face accordingly.

3. Food
   Food intake also plays a major role in triggering breakouts and acne. Certain food types can lead to acne if eaten in a high amount, depending on your body. For example, for some people, peanuts and dairy products might cause breakouts on the skin. 
   
   An unhealthy diet also can cause acne. Low water intake causes the skin to dry, thus triggering sebum overproduction. Greasy, fatty food is not suitable for the body in general and can also wreck your skin! 
   
   As much as we love that crispy roti canai, yummy nasi lemak, and that bubbly teh tarik, be mindful of how much they affect your health and skin 🙂 
   
   RELATED: Does Coffee Cause Acne?
   
   Besides food, certain medications have the side effect of triggering acne. Steroids, for example, are known to lead to acne as they trigger hormonal changes in the body.

4. Skincare
   Last but not least, skincare directly affects your skin health. Depending on your skin type, a lack of knowledge on proper skincare can cause acne. Some examples include using the wrong type of skincare, putting on pore-clogging make-up, not washing them off properly, or scrubbing the skin too vigorously.
   
   Therefore, it is important that you research your skin type and concerns, as well as products and ingredients before you use them. Great resources include byrdie and The Klog, which are treasure troves of information on everything about skincare.
   
   If you don’t have the time to research, online consultations like the myeppo skin quiz can automatically determine your skin type recommend the right type of products to solve your acne problem.
   
   We know that pimples are unsightly and annoying, but the habit of picking on pimples is also not good as it can leave marks or, worse, trigger more pimples to appear!

Acne Prevention Tips

To prevent acne, you would first need to know things and causes that trigger acne formation. Everybody is different, and do take your time to “experiment” and be aware of things that can cause breakouts on your skin.

Many people jump and rush into buying skincare products marketed to make pimples and acne disappear. It’s OK, no harm in buying products obviously, but it is a lot more helpful to prevent the acne from appearing at all!

Understand your body and skin, be aware of things that trigger acne on your skin. For example, try your best to reduce or avoid altogether food that makes you breakout.

With that said, a basic skincare routine is essential to keep pimples and acne at bay. As acne starts with clogged pores, keeping pores clean is crucial to prevent acne. Decongest the pores and use the right cleanser and toner for your skin type to ensure your pores are clean. Moisturize your skin with serum, ampoules, and moisturizers to ensure the skin is not left dry.

Stress also triggers an increase in stress-related hormones, leading to acne formation due to higher sebum production and slowing down the skin cell turnover cycle. This is easier said than done, but do try to keep stress at bay with a healthy lifestyle and taking the means to make your life happier and better.

Myeppo Recommends: Skincare For Pimple And Acne-Prone Skin

If you are in the market for skincare for pimple and acne-prone skin, we are here to help! 

Below are the best skincare for pimple and acne-prone skin products for you:

Conclusion

Having pimples or acne might be demoralizing, but it is not the end of the world! With the proper awareness and knowledge to prevent and treat acne, you can keep those pesky reds from your skin at bay