Causes of Cystic Pimples: A Science Backed Approach

There are few breakouts as painful and annoying as a cystic pimple. These painful bumps develop deep under the skin and often take several weeks to heal on their own. Cystic acne is one of the most severe types of breakouts -- and usually doesn't respond to typical acne treatments. These hard acne nodules are embedded deep in the skin, usually developing on the chin and jawline, but can also form on the back of the ears, neck, shoulders, and chest. Acne cysts are the most likely to scar and result in skin discoloration, especially if you pick at the lesions. Some people develop cystic face acne during puberty; however, these bulging, tender nodules can also appear later in life.

Cystic pimples form when dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria clog pores, creating major inflammation and a firm nodule-- sore to the touch. There are several different reasons for cystic acne to develop, and the following are considered the primary risk factors.

Genetics

There is evidence that severe cystic acne may have a genetic component, as this condition tends to run in families.

High-glycemic diets

Research has shown that diets rich in high-glycemic foods may trigger acne breakouts because of sugar's inflammatory effects.

Dairy products

A meta-analyses on dairy intake and acne found that dairy products -- such as cheese, yogurt, and milk -- were associated with higher odds for acne breakouts in both teens and adults.

Chronic stress

Our bodies produce cortisol and androgens when under chronic stress, which increases oil production and may cause clogged pores and an overgrowth of acne- causing bacteria.

Hormonal changes

Puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy have been linked to cystic facial acne flare-ups. This is because imbalances in androgen hormones trigger the skin to produce extra oil and worsen pore blockages.

Excess oil production

Oily skin that produces excess sebum is more likely to develop cystic nodules.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

This hormonal disorder causes the development of enlarged ovaries that may be enveloped in small cysts. PCOS can lead to the development of cystic acne in addition to symptoms like irregular menstruation, excess hair growth, weight gain, and patches of hyperpigmentation on the skin.

Comedogenic products

Cosmetics and moisturizing products that clog pores as a result of comedogenic ingredients such as cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax.

A few lifestyle changes may help manage cystic acne breakouts and keep these stubborn nodules at bay.

• Use non-comedogenic products that reduce the chances of acne cysts forming. Some examples of beneficial non-comedogenic ingredients to look for include jojoba oil, castor oil, hemp seed oil, and mineral oil.
• Exfoliate the skin with chemically exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic or lactic acid to remove dead skin cells and keep pores clean without irritating existing blemishes through harsh scrubbing.
• Cleanse your skin after sweating or exercise to remove acne-causing bacteria
• Try to avoid touching the face as much as possible to prevent spreading oils, dirt, and bacteria that clog the pores.
• Apply sunscreen daily to prevent acne lesions from scarring
• Look for ways to reduce stress levels, for example practicing exercise, yoga, meditation, journaling, or aromatherapy.
• Get at least eight hours of sleep every night to allow your skin to heal properly and eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, oils, and protein to properly nourish the skin.

If one of your primary skin concerns is adult cystic acne, the PROVEN skin quiz can determine the types of ingredients you should be using on your face. There are no treatments to banish these underground pimples overnight. However, a personalized skincare regimen that targets the cause of inflammatory acne can get you on the path to a clearer complexion. Formulated by Stanford dermatologists, PROVEN skincare takes the guesswork out of finding truly effective products based on our revolutionary database.

We developed the Skin Genome Project™ after feeling frustrated by the inability to find the right skincare products for specific skin issues like adult acne, redness, irritation, dryness, etc. As a part of this initiative, we analyzed the effectiveness of over 20,000 skincare ingredients, information about over 100,000 skincare products, over 8 million customer testimonials, and over 4,000 scientific publications. We also gathered data about the water hardness, humidity level, and UV index of different zip codes all around the United States.

When you take the Skin Genome Quiz, we combine your answers with our comprehensive data to come up with the best possible skincare formulations for your unique skin. We include these formulas in three different skincare products: a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a night cream.

If you have acne-prone skin, you could expect to see ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, alpha-hydroxy acids, tea tree oil, and retinoids in your formula -- although your specific formulation will depend on the exact results of your skin quiz.

From there, you will receive your custom products from PROVEN so that you can get started on the journey towards better, clearer skin. And although ingredients can go a long way towards improving the appearance of adult acne, your actual skincare routine is just as important.

For example, you should be cleansing your face twice a day -- no more and no less. We understand that it may be tempting to cleanse your face more as a result of oiliness, or skip cleansing before you go to bed after a hard day at work. However, you need to strike a careful balance between overwashing and underwashing to really improve your acne.

In addition to cleansing, you also need to think about exfoliating and toning. The good news is that PROVEN has you totally covered with these steps by including gentle yet effective toning and exfoliating ingredients like witch hazel and alpha-hydroxy acids within our 3-in-1 cleanser. As a result, you can ditch the extra products that may have been further irritating your face with harsh ingredients.

Since acne is commonly caused by oily skin, many people with this skin type assume that they can skip the moisturizing step since the oil seems to be doing all the moisturizing on its own. However, that would be doing a huge disservice to your skin.

Instead, you should always apply a moisturizer after cleansing your face to prevent your skin from over-producing oil to make up for a lack of moisture.

Your PROVEN formula will take your skin type into account and include the right type of moisturizing ingredients for your unique skin.

For example, if you have oily skin you could expect to see a lightweight moisturizer like hyaluronic acid. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, you could expect to see a heavier moisturizer like shea butter.

Although it won’t happen overnight, with the proper products and routine from PROVEN Skincare, you can begin to treat your acne and see real improvements in your skin tone and texture in no time.