12/06/2024
Acne bacteria (cutibacterium acnes) lives on all of us! When our sebum gets clogged in our hair follicles it feeds the bacteria. As they feed, they multiply. If the pore (the follicle opening) is open and exposed to oxygen, you get a black head. If closed, you get a white head. These are the safe to extract types of acne. Cystic acne is where the inflammation builds up and out, causing sore red acne bumps.
The best advice I can give you here, is double cleanse with gentle cleansers, use a gentle chemical exfoliant, moisturize your skin to keep your barrier intact, and look for ingredients that help with the inflammation. If you don't know how to properly extract, please see your esti bestie to help you and potentially avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Acne happens. It doesn't define you.