What Causes Acne Pimples and How to Treat Them

Let’s explore the causes of acne, and ingredients and formulations you can use to encourage clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Acne typically occurs when the skin’s natural processes are thrown off balance, creating a buildup of dead skin cells and overproduction of sebum. This dead skin and excess oil can block pores, leading to acne pimples and sometimes inflammation, which can leave the area red, swollen, and feeling sensitive to the touch.

Types of acne pimples:

• Blackheads and whiteheads: These form when oil and dead skin block the pore, either remaining open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads).
• Papules and pustules: These red acne spots occur when clogged pores cause an inflammatory response in the skin. Papules are the red, under the skin pimples, while pustules also have a white head that is visible at the surface.

However, acne is not one-size-fits-all. It can be influenced by internal factors, skincare, and lifestyle habits, making it important to take a personalized approach to skincare.

1. Excess Sebum Production

Sebum, the oil naturally produced by your skin, plays an important protective role against environmental stressors. In acne, the skin produces more sebum, and the natural balance of lipid molecules changes. It’s thought that these changes may contribute to the development of acne.

2. Internal Factors

Internal shifts can lead to an increase in oil production and pimples. Many people report experiencing a greater number of acne spots during teen years, at certain times of their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and menopause, or in response to stress.

3. Harsh Skincare Products

Using harsh cleansers or exfoliants too frequently can strip the skin, leading to irritation and a damaged skin barrier. Blemish-prone skin is already more prone to skin barrier disruption, so it’s best to avoid practices that may exacerbate the issue. 

4. Diet and Lifestyle Factors

While skincare plays a significant role in targeting and preventing acne pimples, lifestyle habits can also influence acne. Research has shown a connection between acne and the factors below:

• Certain types of food: Research has shown a link between certain types of food, like those high in sugar, and the occurrence of acne.
• Lack of sleep: Poor sleep has been linked with an increased likelihood of developing acne, as well as increased severity. It’s thought that excess sebum production resulting from lost sleep may be a contributing factor.
• High stress levels: Chronic stress not only affects us psychologically but can also impact our skin. Psychological stress has been shown to increase sebum production, disrupt the skin barrier, and lead to inflammation, all of which may contribute to, and make existing acne worse.

5. Skin Type

Oily skin produces more sebum than other skin types. Individuals with oily skin may be more prone to breakouts.

Certain ingredients can address common causes of breakouts, such as excess oil and pore congestion, and help prevent and reduce the look of blemishes. When building a regimen for breakout-prone skin, look for formulations with the following ingredients.

1. Sulfur

Sulfur helps improve the appearance of breakouts by soothing signs of spot redness, while absorbing and controlling excess oil, and helping decongest pores.

Recommended formulations:

2. Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates the skin, helping remove dead skin cells that contribute to congestion. Unlike water-soluble acids that primarily work on the skin's surface, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, meaning it can also penetrate the pores to exfoliate below the skin surface.

Recommended formulations:

For additional skin support, consider formulations that work alongside the above acne spot treatments. Products that control and absorb excess oil, exfoliate dead skin cells that can clog pores, and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier can help promote clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Recommended formulations:

• Salicylic Acid 2% Masque targets pore congestion by removing dead skin cells, and absorbing excess oil and facial impurities that can clog pores. This clarifying mask leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed.
• Glucoside Foaming Cleanser Effectively removes excess oil, dirt and environmental impurities, while supporting the skin barrier. Suited to oily skin, this gentle formulation helps improve the look of skin clarity, texture, and radiance over time.
• Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% a high-strength serum designed to control excess oil that can contribute to pimples, and support a balanced skin barrier. With consistent use, it can help you achieve smoother looking, more radiant skin. 

With targeted acne treatments and supportive formulations, your skincare regimen can help reduce acne pimples and address common causes of acne to prevent new ones from forming. Before adding new formulations to your regimen, take a moment to learn about effective layering. Our Guide to Layering offers clear, step-by-step guidance that helps you build a regimen tailored to your needs.

Now that you understand what causes acne, and the ingredients that can help reduce and prevent its appearance, you can take steps toward clearer, healthier-looking skin. Start by building a daily routine with formulations that help address the causes of acne and some of the associated skin concerns.

Be as consistent as possible with your routine. A combination of targeted ingredients and regular application is what will help you manage current acne pimples and prevent future ones from occurring.

For a more tailored approach to acne support, try our Regimen Builder and receive custom product recommendations to suit your specific skin concerns. It's quick, easy, and designed to help you achieve clearer, healthier-looking skin.

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