What to do about pimples and when pimples become pus-filled?

Puberty is long behind you, yet skin impurities regularly appear? This can have various causes. The correct analysis of skin impurities and the right approach are therefore very important. Our tips are designed precisely for such cases and aim to provide advice on the question: What to do about pimples and what to do when pimples become pus-filled?!

Causes of pimples

Anyone who struggles with pimples knows how difficult it can sometimes be to get rid of them. Often, hormones are blamed, but this is not always the case. Especially on the face, we come into contact with a variety of bacteria, for example, when scratching or wiping the face with a hand, or when talking on the phone with the device against the cheek. Why? Our hands and even cell phones are usually colonized by a multitude of germs and bacteria.

However, stress, lack of sleep, smoking, medication, poor diet, or unsuitable skincare products can also be the cause of skin impurities such as pimples, blackheads, or even acne. It is fundamentally important to only use products that are tailored to the specific needs of the respective skin type and do not contain additives that could unnecessarily irritate the skin.

The so-called T-zone, for example, has a larger number of sebaceous glands and often appears oilier than the rest of the facial skin. Especially during stress, there can be increased sebum production in this area. The reason lies in increased adrenaline release, meaning stress and the resulting hormone release are thus the reason for impure skin. The consequence is pimples or blackheads on the nose and forehead. A blackhead can also easily become inflamed, especially if one tries to squeeze it or even remove it with a needle.

Acne is only diagnosed when there is an overactive sebaceous gland function. The naturally occurring bacterium, Cutibacterium acnes, then comes into play, finding improved growth conditions due to the overactivity. This is often further stimulated by male sex hormones, which is why men often suffer more severely from acne than women. To avoid pimples and blackheads as much as possible, simple tips can help.

5 tips for skin impurities

• Moisture, moisture, moisture – this also applies to impure skin. Because dry skin is more susceptible to impurities. However, the fat content in skincare should be as low as possible to avoid additionally clogging the pores.
• Nutrition always plays an important role in skin issues, so: drink plenty of water, but avoid unhealthy fats and sugar. Exercise also helps to positively support the skin.
• Daily makeup clogs pores. Especially for individuals prone to skin impurities, this does not necessarily support skin health. Therefore, no-makeup days are an absolute must. For those who find this hard to imagine, this break can perhaps be tried out on weekends or after work. Makeup often unconsciously ends up on pillowcases, washcloths, or towels, so these should be changed regularly.
• Effective cleansing in the evening and morning is important to rid the skin of bacteria. Otherwise, these can enter the sebaceous glands and cause pus-filled inflammations or pimples. However, it is important to act carefully here and only use gentle products to remove bacteria and dead skin cells. This means the pH value should correspond to the skin’s environment. This protects the skin from irritations or damage to the natural skin barrier. This also applies to water with high lime content, as it does not match the skin’s pH value and should therefore not be applied to the skin in this case. And importantly: keep your hands off pimples. This can introduce additional germs and bacteria into the affected areas and cause mild to severe inflammations (e.g., severe acne).
• Toothpaste, an often-described home remedy for pimples, is not recommended. The fluoride it contains can be a cause of inflammation rather than fighting pimples. However, home remedies such as a few drops of diluted tea tree oil, lemon, or a honey mask can indeed support the skin in the fight against pimples and impurities with their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

When pimples become pus-filled – effectively combatting pus-filled pimples

If you don’t necessarily want to rely on home remedies for pus-filled pimples, you don’t have to resort directly to harsh products, but can instead use natural, essential oils. Due to their numerous positive properties, these are also widely used in medical skincare. They are well-tolerated by the skin, have an antibacterial effect, and also provide a pleasant scent.

And another small tip for pimples at the hairline

Pimples at the hairline can be caused by cleansing products, styling products, or skincare, among other things. If these products are not thoroughly removed, residues of the used products mix with dead skin cells. Skin irritations are a possible consequence, or pores become clogged. In this case, sebum cannot drain, leading to pimples and blackheads. If bacteria then enter the affected areas, for example by scratching, inflamed pimples or pus-filled inflammations can result. However, this is not a form of acne, but a pus-filled hair follicle inflammation (learn more about the clinical picture: follow the linked LINK).

For a life without skin problems – ilon developed the Skin Journal precisely for this purpose. Here you will find all important topics, including possible causes and solutions for various skin diseases.