Acne Cosmetica
Acne cosmetica is a mild form of acne that's extremely common. It is characterized by blocked pores, known as comedones, as well as small bumps that may be filled with pus (pustule) or not (papule). Affecting the skin and scalp, the bumps may be reddish, though it is the texture of the skin that's more affected rather than the tone. The most common areas affected include the chin, cheeks and forehead.
The rash-like appearance of acne cosmetica isn't as unsightly as the larger pustules and nodules that characterize worse forms of acne vulgaris. However it can still ruin the complexion. Fortunately, since acne cosmetica is caused by topical products, there's no need for complicated treatments targeting internal physiological processes. It can be easily diminshed or eliminated with a proper skin care regimen and the usage of products that are most appropriate for your skin.
Breakouts can develop within weeks and take a long time to go away, especially when more of the wrong product is continually used.
Acne cosmetica is typically aggravated by certain ingredients. The worst of them are those that add fragrance to a product and are comedogenic.
Many cases of acne cosmetica can be prevented by avoiding products that are heavily fragrant. Common ingredients, such as musk (derived from the musk deer) and ambrette (derived from the ambrette seed), can cause an allergic reaction in the form of pimples.
Comedogenic ingredients are those that can collect in the follicle and block pores. Usually oil-based, using comedogenic products is the best way to get acne cosmetica. The main culprits here are lanolin and isopropyl myristate. Prevent makeup that settles in your pores by using cosmetics that contain only noncomedogenic ingredients. If you've got to use an oil-based product, go for something with a natural oil like sunflower.
Cleansing the skin at the end of the day and after a sweaty workout is absolutely essential in controlling acne cosmetica. This will clean out any pores that may have been blocked by the products you've used and prevent a pimple from forming.
Breakouts should gradually subside with the right care. Patience is a virtue - clear skin won't happen overnight and may take a few weeks. But if your breakouts don't get better after the wait, you may want to see a dermatologist to make sure that you do in fact have acne cosmetica and not acne vulgaris, which requires a different type of regimen. You may also want to consider undergoing laser acne removal treatment, which has been proven to help get rid of breakouts and diminish scarring related to those pimples.
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