Acne Glossary

Have you ever come across an acne related word that you have no idea what it means? Well, life is about to get a whole lot easier with this acne glossary, thank me later 😊

Also, if there is a word that you are itching to add reach out to our team here 💕

 A

Acne - a skin condition that usually begins at puberty, it is made up of pimples on the skin which are due to inflamed and infected sebaceous glands.

Acne Cosmetica – small scattered comedones on the face with only very few inflammatory lesions such as papules, pustules, these are the results from the use of cosmetic products that are comedogenic.

Actives - in skincare products, active ingredients are the components that target specific skin issues, such as acne, wrinkles, or hyperpigmentation. For example, in an acne face washes, the active ingredients may include hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinol, 

 

B

 

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D

 

E 

Emollients: These ingredients help to moisturise and soften the skin. Examples include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and various plant-based oils.

 

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H

Hypoallergenic – these are products that have fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products.

 

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M

Maskne - a term developed during the Covid-19 global pandemic when it became compulsory to wear a facial mask in public areas. Wearing these masks for long periods of time resulted in acne development around the mouth and nose area.

Microbiota - the skin is made up of a collection of living microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, these microorganisms are harmless.

Malassezia folliculitis: also known as pityrosporum folliculitis or simply fungal acne, is a skin condition characterized by inflammation of the hair follicles due to an overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia. This type of folliculitis typically presents as small, itchy, acne-like bumps on the skin, often appearing on the chest, back, shoulders, upper arms, and sometimes on the face.

 

N

Non-comedogenic - products that contain ingredients that won't clog pores, these products usually have a comedogenic rating of 2 or less.

 

O

 

P

Pathogens – these are organisms that can cause disease, there are different types of pathogens, viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Bacteria is the pathogen associated with acne, and there a few that results in acne skin ie: Propionibacterium acnes (P.acne).

Preservatives: To maintain the product's stability and prevent microbial growth, preservatives like phenoxyethanol or parabens may be used.

Propionibacterium: a group of bacteria commonly found on human skin, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous (oil) glands, such as the face, chest, and back. The most well-known species within this genus is Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes).

 

Q

 

R

Retinol - a form of vitamin A that is widely used in skincare products to increase collagen production and improve acne and hyperpigmentation. Retinol is an active that derives from retinoids, and it is available over the counter.

 

S

Surfactants: These are cleansing agents that help to emulsify and remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. Surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), coco-glucoside, or cocamidopropyl betaine are commonly used.

Saliyclic Acid: it is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) commonly used in skincare products. It is a plant-derived compound originally found in willow bark. Salicylic acid is known for its ability to exfoliate the skin and treating various skin issues, including acne and blackheads.

 

T

 

U

 

V

 

W

Water: Most cleansers and face washes contain water as the base ingredient, providing a liquid or gel-like consistency.

 

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