This has been lately asked by one of my friend’s and frankly, the question confounded me. I mean everyone knows what pimples and acne are but how do you really define them and differentiate between them? Putting in words was not very easy for me and I thought this is a question or a topic which should be discussed on a larger scale. So, do join in with what you think too 🙂
Ok, so my experience with breakouts overall is not very extensive and I am very grateful for that. In the course of last one year, I did face some series of acne cysts and the first of them was pretty serious. But, later on, I managed to control the breakouts by hit and trials. So, anyways, that was just a reference to how much I actually know about breakouts. But, lets see what I have found out by reading combined with something I know.
What is Acne?
Acne is an inflammation of the skin in which the secreted sebum gets collected in the pores of the skin and gets trapped there. That causes the skin to elevate in the form of a breakout. It may or may bot have a head. If its acne, it will most likely have a white head and is painful to touch. If its a pimple, it is not painful unless it is too severe. Pimple is also a form of acne. Any breakout on the skin can be termed as acne and then, acne is classified into various categories depending on its size and severity.
Pimples are generally milder than a full-blown acne attack. But, the reason for both the skin conditions is same – clogged pores. And, why are they common in oily skin types? Because, the skin secretes more sebum and is more likely to have deposits of sebum on the skin. So, keeping the skin clean is one of the carnal rules of skin care. If you find that your skin suffers regularly from breakouts, you should consult a dermatologist and use prescription products as they have chemicals which are better at cleaning the pores and keeping them unclogged.
Salicylic Acid is one of the common ingredients of such products. And, many people use aspirin tablets at home in their DIY’s. I would like to reiterate the fact that only 2% concentration of salicylic acid is advisable for the skin at max so if you are one of the people who uses full dosage of aspirin for face, please refrain from doing that. You are damaging your skin instead of helping it. Read more about this here. I have already done a post on how to safely use aspirin tablets at home.
Lancy says
Very useful post swati 🙂 This gives an exact differentiation between both which I have never heard before 🙂 Great job my friend.. I love ur posts verryyy much.
Lancy says
No mention.. Welcome my sis 🙂
swati says
hey Lancy…thank you so much 🙂
Megha says
great post swati…..now i got to know m having acne;)
swati says
thanks Megha 🙂
Anonymous says
swati neenga tamil ah ?
Swati Murti says
nope, me telugu 🙂
Anonymous says
hey my skin is oily i get both pimple + ance m worried abt that plzz help me….
Swati Murti says
you should seek doctor’s consultation to find out the root cause of acne!!
manish srivastava says
I suggest you to use nioclean gel while sleeping..if your face is oily..and use cutirinz foaming face wash.
Stanley Li says
interesting, i always thought that acnes and pimples are the same…and you said that acne has white head, does that mean that pimples are not pop-able!
Swati Murti says
no, i would say all are popable even cystic acne. pimples might or might not have white heads. there are some which do not have.
Smitha says
Thanx for the info swati.
Swati Murti says
🙂
Indra S says
Meeru telugu ah great, nenum telugu
Anonymous says
my skin is oily.am suffering from pimples over my cheek,its very irritating to me.
Swati Murti says
use green tea as a toner and check this out:
https://swathyandsky.com/2011/03/drink-apple-cider-vinegar-to-avoid.html
Ria says
How to make green tea toner at home?? N could you please tell me who is the best dermetologist in Hyderabad?? I am 27 years old, female, and my skin is very dull and tanned.. I want glowing fair even skin tone.. Please help me out.. Thank you
Aparna says
Wow! I never really knew the real difference. Thanks! I just figured out that I have don’t have full-fledged acne but an infinite number of pimples. Once again, thank you so much!
Swati Murti says
hey Aparna….glad to be of some help 🙂
Kiran K says
Its a simple and easy way of putting it together … I like this post…keep shining
Swati Murti says
thanks 🙂
ana villanueva says
**So when you get a pimple/acne do you pop them ir do you leave it alone??**
They always tell me its best to leave it alone,
does that mean if I pop it, it will come out again?
Swati Murti says
its best to leave it alone because the bacteria will then remain at one place. if you pop them, the bacteria comes in contact with other areas of skin and may lead to more eruptions so yes popping may lead to more pimples and can also aggravate the present condition of the pimple.
ana villanueva says
** So when you get pimples/acne are you suppose to pop them or do you leave them alone??? **
I’ve heard that its best if you leave it alone, does that mean if I pop them its gonna leave a dark spot??
I’m 16, yet haven’t had pimples/acne..
Swati Murti says
and, yes, popping does lead to blemishes and dark spot! i hope it stays the same way 🙂 (u not getting any pimples).
ana villanueva says
**So when you get a pimple/acne do you pop them ir do you leave it alone??**
They always tell me its best to leave it alone,
does that mean if I pop it, it will come out again?
Papiya Sinha says
hi, ma”am
Actualy,Iam getting pimple on my face on both the sides of my cheeks..it has white heads and they itches alot sometime….wil you recommend me neem leaves or something else ..
please reply as soon as possible
Anonymous says
Hey friends..!
Try this.. really works..
Oily skin : Nutmeg paste prepared with water(apply it on face,leave it for 20mins nd wash it off).
Dry skin : Nutmeg paste prepared with raw milk(apply it on face,leave it for 20mins nd wash it off)
You can use honey instead of water too..
Hope this will help you all 🙂
Anonymous says
i use nutmeg but my pimples are not getting cured…..what to do???
Swati Murti says
try using ginger juice or onion juice. also, get a salicylic acid face wash from any pharmacy. it helps with clearing the skin.
Anonymous says
as you differentiated between acene and pimple, akka/didi tell me i have a small red bump on face plz tell me what is it help me plz plz i don’t want to look ugly on b’day help na plz plz plz but heard that turmeric will help does it?????????????????
yusuf bhagya says
on the basis of pain acne and pimples are not differentiate
…….
Sohini Roy says
i usually dont hav any acne but of late i am having ance.. what should i do swati??/
Anonymous says
i generally dont hav pimples or acne but of late i am having sum acnes.. wat shud i do??
Anonymous says
Thnx
Deepanshu Kaushik says
Hey swati Still I am confused, My confusion is still there.
I have small small small on my cheeks and forehead those we usually call in hindi “DAANE”
What to do for them ?
do you have any herbal remedy ?
Anonymous says
I AM 15 YEARS OLD AND I’M STRUGGLING WITH PIMPLES AND DARK SPOTS ON MY FACE.PLEASE HELP I ALSO HAVE A VERY SENSITIVE AND OILY SKIN TYPE!HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT NOYHING WORKS
Swati Murti says
hey please check all the articles on acne skin care: Acne skin care.
also, try this remedy : whenever you wash your face, use salt water instead of plain water. salt is drying for skin and also acts as an anti-bacterial.
Anonymous says
hey…Swati What about the acne marks and dark spots….how to remove them???
Anonymous says
Why do some people will have black marks and others will have red marks on face?
Swati Murti says
hey. wow…that’s something to think about.
well, i can say from as much as i know that black marks are due to melanin production and hyper-pigmentation on their skin and red marks is due to the skin rashes or burning.
Geetam Vadalia says
thanx swati very usefull great post
Swati Murti says
thanks Geetam 🙂
Anonymous says
I am having a pimple on my nose tip once a month that lasts for more than 5_6 days. Tell me what to do about it.
Swati Murti says
hey, use garnier pore unclogging face wash whenever you have pimple. also, apply turmeric mixed with green tea or salt water as a spot treatment, let it dry and wash off. avoid moisturising the area if you are using heavy cream.
Nithi says
Hi swati .. one thing i want to share with u.. i have white head Pimple (Acne ) fst 4 to 5 days it wil be lik white head pimple, after that it will become black marks., and finally it remains on my face.. i hv done so many trtmnt.. but still i m not able to clear my blace pimple marks.. my skin tone is little fair. so it looks ugly.. my face is full pimple (black ) Marks.. but still continuously coming .. pls suggest somethin which is really effective.. im so fed up with my face for last 3 months.
Swati Murti says
hi Nithi. did you show it to a doctor? do show them and get a consultation.
next thing, try out garnier pore unclogging face wash once and see if it helps! i think your pores are getting clogged. remember, the face wash is very drying to moisturise well.
use a gel based moisturiser. check out if you can get the h20 mineral or sea weed moisturiser or something. i have heard it works well on oily skin.
also, try using garlic juice at night everyday after washing your face, let it dry and wash off. and, then, moisturise. do let me know if it works 🙂
Ravi Reddy says
Akka, I am 24 Yrs old and victim of Acne, which he has broken out mostly on my face and back. I am using medicine/ointment prescibed by a Dermatologist.
How long will it last and will the dark marks remain for ever.?
Is it normal for some one out of teens to get Acne?
Please let me know. Thanks is anticipation.
Swati says
hi Ravi. yes, acne can be due to hormonal reasons in which case nothing can be done to prevent it or cure it, it will just come and go. the maximum you can do is stop stressing about it, that really helps (personal experience)! for the dark marks, apply honey every night on the marks where acne has cured for 15 minutes and wash off. alternate with potato and tomato juice. they all help lighten the scars.
Chelley says
I have an acne near on the chin…but the scars is still there I don’t know what to do…pls. Help me…
srishti says
hi mam ,
i am getting pimple and acne marks on my face can you please tell me how to get rid of it??
Indra S says
Meeru Telugu ah Santhoshama undanu, mee tips u anthurkum use ayinthi. Including me thank u a lot swathi ka
Swati says
Thanks Indra and yes I am also Telugu 🙂 glad to know you! Do keep visiting!!
jaya says
HELLO MAM, IM GLAD TO C DIS WEBSITE…BCZ I HAV THOUGHT ITS ONLY ME WHO WAS SUFFERING FRM DIS…I HAV GOT BLACK MARKS ON MY CHEEKS..I HAV CONSULTED DERMATALOGIST BUT OF NO USE….SO IM USING ALOVERA SINCE MANY DAYS…IS THERE ANY WAY TOO REMOVE MY MARKS/??? IF SO SAY ME…N NOW EVEN MY FAIRNESS GETTNG DARKER…WID THESE…
JAYA says
HELLO MAM…im glad too c dis website…i have got black marks on my cheeks….recently i have consulted dermatalogist…but of no use……i just want to make my skin clear??wat to doo??? im using alovera gel since 2 weeks….hope yu suggest me any alternative to make my skin clear…….
Shridhar dwivedi says
Hamar chehre par pimpal ho gya hii jo kale hoqye hii orapimpal nhi jarhe hii bhut problem hoti hii plz kuchha btaiye na
Simran says
How to remove acne pimple tell mee
Swati says
apply potato juice daily.
Keethi says
Hi mam
I am having black spots caused by pimples. Can u plz suggest me a good cream that acts fast.
Thanks in advance
Swati says
hi Keerthi. there is nothing which works immediately on pimples or black spots. first you need to ascertain why you are getting them. and, second thing which helps is potato juice and honey. apply them as spot treatments, let them dry or sit for 15 min and wash off. do this at night. and, be diligent with sunscreen application.
B.gomathi says
Hai mam i am gomathi in my face there is so many pimple and acne also and over oily skin so what is a solution to this problem pls say some good tips and already i consult the doctor he gave some medicines that is sos advance face wah clap jel and he told me to change the hair shampoo and tablets
B.gomathi says
Hai mam i am gomathi in my face there is so many pimple and acne also and over oily skin so what is a solution to this problem pls say some good tips and already i consult the doctor he gave some medicines that is sos advance face wah clap jel and he told me to change the hair shampoo and tablets
B.gomathi says
Hai mam i am gomathi in my face there is so many pimple and acne also and over oily skin so what is a solution to this problem pls say some good tips and already i consult the doctor he gave some medicines that is sos advance face wah clap jel and he told me to change the hair shampoo and tablets