Did you think that acne and pimples were the same thing and there was no difference between acne and pimples? 🤷♀️
Well, who believes in the saying "You learn something new every day" 🤓
The difference between acne and pimples is that acne is the disease whereas pimples are the symptom 🧐.
Essentially acne is responsible for pimples. Simple right? 🙆♀️
Well to further expand your learning 👩🏫 and understanding I thought it would be good to break things down even further.
What is Acne?
Acne is a common inflammatory skin disease that causes spots and oily skin, we all experience acne at some point in life 😪.
Acne is the result of the sebaceous glands becoming clogged due to the overproduction of sebum 🥲.
Sebum is an oily substance that is naturally produced by our bodies 🧐.
Acne isn't biased to race or gender 🧍🏼♀️🧍🏾♂️, anyone and everyone can get acne at some point in their life, whether you are male or female.
According to the NHS 95% of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne to some extent 😳.
There are some of us that walk out of the womb with acne-prone skin 🙃😪.
I guess you are wondering what causes acne 🧐.
What Causes Acne?
Acne occurs when the hair follicles underneath the skin become clogged due to high production of sebum oil, build-up of dead skin, or bacteria growth.
We first start to see acne occur during the teenage 👫 years due to hormonal changes 🤭.
Although most people have acne during puberty there are some people that continue to experience it throughout their adult life.
It is the hormonal imbalance that triggers acne 😔.
The male sex hormone, androgen, increases during puberty, resulting in the sebaceous glands becoming overactive and producing more sebum 😔.
This male hormone can also be found in women 🙎♀️ and we see similar increases in the androgen hormone during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy 🤰, or menopause.
Scientists also believe that acne can be hereditary 👨👩👧, if your parents had it then the likelihood of you experiencing it.
Medication 💊 can trigger acne, if your medication has hormones, ie: corticosteroids, then you can experience acne.
There is always chat about certain foods being the reason behind acne, but it isn't the result of your acne but it can make it worse.
This is also in terms of stress, and environmental irritants such as pollution.
Different Types of Acne
Acne comes in many different shapes and sizes, and the types of acne lesions are classified based on their appearance and severity.
A common form of acne is known as acne vulgaris and it is characterised by the formation of various different acne lesions.
The acne lesions you may be experiencing can easily be diagnosed by a skin specialist or doctor👩⚕️. Below are common types of acne lesions you may have heard of.
Comedones
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Blackheads:
open comedones, black on the skin surface not due to oxidation of the trapped oil and dead skin cells. The pore remains open
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Whiteheads:
closed comedones, that stay underneath the skin 🫣 and appear as a small white or flesh-coloured bump with closed pores
Inflammatory Acne
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Papules:
Small, raised, and red bumps that result from inflamed hair follicles. They can be tender to touch.
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Pustules:
Similar to pustules, but they have a white or yellowish tip in the center from a build-up of pus
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Nodules:
Larger, solid, painful lumps underneath the skin's surface caused by the build up of infected material deep within the hair follicles.
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Cysts:
Severe and painful lesions that are filled with pus. They are larger than pustules and can cause scarring if not treated properly.
Acne lesions can range from mild to severe, and the severity depends on factors such as genetics, hormones, lifestyle, and skincare habits.
What Are Pimples?
Pimples are acne symptoms, which means that they are part of acne and aren't seen as something completely different.
Yep, the pus-filled lumps that become the focus of the day or week 🥹.
Pimples can range from blackheads to small pustules or papules.
They mainly appear on the face but they can show up in most areas of the body 🦵, ie: neck, back, chest, and shoulders.
This is because there are sebaceous glands all over the body except for the palms of the hands ✋ and soles of the feet 🦶.
What Causes Pimples
Pimples form when the sebaceous or oil glands become overactive and produce more sebum.
The sebum combines with bacteria 🦠 and dead skin cells clumps, which results in clogged pores.
This can also sometimes lead to infection and inflammation.
Types of Pimples?
There are a couple of different types of pimples, we have highlighted a couple below.
Have you been diagnosed with any of these types of pimples?
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Whitehead - when skin cells combine with oil, dead skin cell, and bacteria to form a white tip.
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Pustules and Papules - clogged pores that have been infected, the infected pores have a white pus-filled tip on top of their pore.
Treating Acne & Pimples
There are a number of treatment options available to treat pimples and acne.
The best form of treatment would be recommended by your dermatologist or a healthcare specialist 🩺.
The worse thing you could do is self-diagnose and end up with more acne, the health care specialist may recommend some of the following:
Topical Treatment for Pimples and Acne
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Salicylic Acid - exfoliates the top layer of the skin's surface, helping to break down blackheads and whiteheads.
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Topical Retinoids - also have exfoliating factors that remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface.
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Benzoyl peroxide - antibacterial that reduces the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin. Guess what? It helps to reduce acne breakouts and it has an anti-inflammatory effect which means there won't be any swelling
Azelaic acid - acne treatment that is usually used as an alternative to benzoyl peroxide due to its milder side effects. this acid is great for removing dead skin cells and killing bacteria.
Oral Treatment for Pimples and Acne
Oral treatment is used to treat severe acne and it is usually used in combination with topical over the counter treatments.
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Tetracyclines - an antibiotic that helps to reduce the growth of bacteria and sebum. It is an anti-inflammatory that is prescribed in most acne treatment cases unless the person is pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Co-cyprindiol - a hormonal treatment that is used for severe acne that doesn't respond to antibiotics, it reduces the production of sebum.
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Isotretinoin - a treatment that can only be prescribed by a specialised doctor or dermatologist due to its wide range of side effects. Isotretinoin has many benefits, including normalising and reducing the production of sebum, which helps prevent follicles from being clogged up.
Non-Medical Acne & Pimple Treatment
There are a few different acne treatments that don't require medication 💊, if you are someone that doesn't enjoy taking medication, you can speak to your doctor or dermatologist 👨⚕️ about any of the following:
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Comedone Extractor - this type of extraction is done to clean out blackheads and whiteheads.
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Chemical Peels - this treatment peels the top layer of skin and reveals a new layer of skin to replace it 🥳.
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Photodynamic Therapy - light therapy 🔦 is used on the skin to help improve the symptoms.
As wonderful as all of the above may sound, the most beneficial thing for acne skin is having a routine that works for your acne skin.
It is a good start to ask yourself if you are using a mild facial cleanser 🧼.
Final Thoughts: Acne Vs Pimples
In this blog post, the relationship between acne and pimples on acne prone skin.
Pimples are acne symptoms, which means that they are part of acne, the sebaceous glands produce excess oil and result in the pores being clogged.
Pores are also clogged from bacteria or dead skin cells clump together.
There are a few ways to manage acne, whether that's in terms of topical antibiotics or laser treatments. Learn what works best for you with the support of a dermatologist or skin specialist.
I hope that sums up all that you need to know about acne and pimples 🙂
If that was a yes, sign up for our newsletter, and let's go on this journey of learning more about acne skin 🥰 🙌
FAQs about Acne Vs Pimples
We have explored all the commonly asked questions on acne vs pimples and we have selected those that we feel you may benefit from, if there were any missing let us know in the comments.
What is acne, and what are pimples?
Acne is a skin condition that involves various types of blemishes, including pimples. Pimples are a specific type of skin lesion that can occur as a result of acne.
Are acne and pimples the same thing?
No, acne is a broader skin condition that includes various types of blemishes, such as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. Pimples are just one of the many types of acne lesions.
What causes acne?
Acne is primarily caused by the overproduction of sebum (skin oil) and the clogging of hair follicles, often due to a combination of factors like hormonal changes, genetics, and environmental influences.
Why do pimples form?
Pimples form when hair follicles become clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. This leads to the characteristic red, inflamed bump on the skin's surface.
What are the different types of acne blemishes?
Acne blemishes can include pimples (papules and pustules), blackheads, whiteheads, nodules, and cysts. Pimples are the most common type and are characterised by redness and inflammation.
How can I tell if I have acne or just a pimple?
If you have occasional small, red, inflamed bumps on your skin, it's likely just a pimple. Acne is diagnosed when you have a recurring pattern of various types of blemishes, including pimples.
Can pimples occur without having acne?
Yes, it is possible to have the occasional pimple without having a full-blown acne condition. Pimples can be caused by various factors, such as poor skincare habits, hormonal fluctuations, or other skin issues.
What can I do to prevent pimples and acne?
To prevent pimples and acne, maintain a good skincare routine, keep your skin clean, avoid touching your face, and consider using non-comedogenic products. If you have persistent acne, consult a dermatologist for treatment options.
How are pimples and acne treated?
Pimples can be treated with over the counter topical products containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Acne often requires more comprehensive treatments, including prescription medications and lifestyle changes, depending on the severity.
When should I see a dermatologist for acne or pimples?
If you have persistent or severe acne, it's a good idea to consult a dermatologist. They can provide a personalised treatment plan and help you manage your skin condition effectively.
Remember that while pimples are a common type of acne lesion, acne itself can manifest in various ways. If you're unsure about your skin condition, it's best to seek guidance from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Feel free to check out the articles that helped us put this post together:
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The prevalence of acne in adults 20 years and older by Christin N. Collier, Julie C. Harper, Wendy C. Cantrell, Wenquan Wang, K. Wade Foster, Boni E. Elewski - Link
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Acne by NHS - Link
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Tetracyclines: Nonantibiotic properties and their clinical implications by Allen N. Sapadin, MD, and Raul Fleischmajer - Link
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Benzoyl peroxide: enhancing antibiotic efficacy in acne management by Maha Dutil - Link