Almost everyone has had to deal with acne at some point in their lives, and with how ubiquitous the annoyance of blackheads, pimples, bumps, and other acne-related skin imperfections is, you might think you know all there is to know about it. But you may be surprised just how much there is about the condition that you never knew before!

With June being Acne Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight five facts about acne that you may have never known before. We realize that while acne is an issue that affects a lot of people, many can be embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about it, but there’s no better time than now to discuss it!

Whether you’re just curious to learn more or looking for some tips on how to deal with your own breakouts or prevent them more effectively, read on!

FACT 1: ACNE IS THE MOST COMMON SKIN CONDITION IN AMERICA

If you’re dealing with acne, know that you’re not alone – very far from it, in fact. It’s estimated that up to 50 million people are affected by the condition every year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The AAD also estimates that 85% of people 12 to 24 years of age will experience at least minor acne. While it starts in puberty, acne can still persist into adulthood, and the AAD identifies that acne issues can occur at any stage of life.

We know that acne issues may make you feel isolated at times, but just remember that they have likely affected everyone in your life at some point. Luckily, there are great products like our Acne Control Foundation that can help you get back to feeling confident in your skin.

FACT 2: THERE ARE 6 TYPES OF PIMPLES

If you asked someone how many kinds of pimples there are, most would say two – whiteheads and blackheads. However, there are actually four more kinds of pimples you might’ve never known about before. In addition to the raised bumps caused by oil, dead skin, bacteria, and other gunk that blocks your pores that we call blackheads and whiteheads, there are papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.

Papules and pustules are much larger bumps and result from clogged pores becoming irritated. Papules are very hard and are typically tender when touched, while pustules have a red base with a visible white or yellow puss-filled lesion up top.

Nodules and cysts are set very deep into the skin and are typically very large, solid, painful, and full of puss. Often, these can only be treated by a dermatologist.

FACT 3: ACNE-PRONE SKIN MIGHT BE INHERITED

We inherit a lot of genetic traits from our parents, and acne prone skin might be one of them. It’s still a bit of a mystery as to why some people get acne, and others don’t, but doctors theorize that there could be a genetic factor to it. In other words, if either of your parents ever experienced acne issues, your chance of developing acne may increase.

FACT 4: ADULT ACNE IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMMON

Most people associate acne with the teenage years and all the hormone changes experienced during that time. But aging also comes with its own hormonal changes, and along with a variety of other factors, those can still contribute to acne in adulthood. In fact, the condition is becoming increasingly more common. According to Science Daily, 50.9% of women and 42.5% of men experience acne in their 20s. And 35.2% of women and 20.1% of men experience it in their 30s.

FACT 5: OVER WASHING YOUR FACE CAN MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE

Considering acne is caused by clogged pores, you may think that constantly washing your face to clear off any dirt, makeup, sweat, bacteria, and other gunk is a good way to prevent it. But this can actually have the opposite effect. Over washing your skin dries it out and irritates it, making it produce more oil than usual. This excess oil can then block your pores, leading to the acne issues you were trying to prevent in the first place.

When washing your face, don’t overdo it. Cleanse in the morning and at night and have a moisturizer ready to apply right after.

Whether you have skin that’s naturally acne-prone or you just want to do what you can to prevent a breakout, check out our line of gentle products starting with our Acne Control Hydro-Matrix moisturizer today!