June is Acne Awareness Month so we are taking the whole month to share our love for all things Aloeclear. We’re kicking it off with a special Q & A that we held with our Director of Product Development, Rachel Ross, to give you a basic understanding of what acne is and what makes Aloeclear so unique in the acne industry.

1. First things first – what is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles plug with oil and dead skin cells. The result is an occurrence of inflamed or infected sebaceous glands in the skin characterized by pimples or large, red and tender bumps.

2. What are the different types of acne?

Acne is definitely not a one-size-fits all type of skin condition. Here are a few types of acne that is most common:

• Blackheads (open comedones): Blackheads occur when a pore is clogged by a combination of sebum and dead skin cells. The top of the pore stays open, despite the rest of it being clogged. this results in the characteristic black color seen on the surface.
• Whiteheads (closed comedones): This is a form of noninflammatory acne similar to blackheads, except the top of the pore closes up so it looks like a small bump protruding the skin. Both blackheads and whiteheads are easy to clear up with an exfoliator or mask such as Muddy Up.
• Papules: These occur when the walls surrounding your pores break down from severe inflammation, resulting in hard, clogged pores that are tender to the touch and pink.
• Pustules: Pustules are similar to papules except they are filled with puss. Papules and pustules are very common types of blemishes that can be cleared up with topical skincare.
• Nodules: Nodules happen when clogged, swollen pores endure further irritation and grow larger. They are deeper underneath the skin and can be treated by decreasing the oil gland size within the pores.
• Cysts: Cysts are the largest form of acne formed when pores are clogged by a combination of bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells. This type of acne is the most likely to scar but can be treated and prevented with the right regimen.

3. What’s the difference between a breakout and acne?

This is a great question that everyone needs to consider when they are looking to clear up their blemishes. A breakout is caused by excess oil and dead skin buildup and usually occurs in areas more prone to oiliness such as the T-zone. Breakouts can easily be treated with the use of Stay Pure and a consistent skincare regimen. Acne is a long-term skin disease that can be caused by various factors such as hormones, diets and genetics. It can occur on your face as well as other areas of the body like the chest and back. Hormonal acne tends to be more cystic and occurs around the chin and jawline. This can be treated by using regimens such as Aloeclear as well as sticking to a moisturizer such as Correction Code AM SPF 25. Sometimes when hormonal acne is very severe, it may need to be treated with antibiotics.

4. If I dry out my skin, will it help get rid of my acne?

As a matter of fact, drying out your skin can make your acne worse. When you dry out the skin you irritate it and compromise it’s barrier function which leads to redness and inflammation. I recommend sticking with treatments that soothe and condition the skin while keeping skin moisturized. Hydration is essential for healthy skin regardless of age, type or condition.

5. What makes Aloeclear unique?

What I love about the Aloeclear line is that it keeps skin soothed, conditioned and hydrated while clearing up blemishes and preventing future breakouts. Aloeganic aloe vera is in every Aloeclear product to help calm skin and reduce the appearance of redness while ingredients like lactic acid and salicylic acid clear up and prevent breakouts. I also love how you can customize your Aloeclear routine with the Nutri-Moisture Lotion or Correction Code AM SPF 25 so that the routine has something for teens and for adults. Aloeclear is a line that I stand proudly behind and I’m so excited to talk about it all month long for Acne Awareness Month!