Acne Glossary
The better you understand acne, the better you’ll be prepared to fight it. Use this glossary to familiarize yourself with typical acne terms.15
Acne distribution
Acne lesions are most common on the face, but it is not unusual for acne to occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs.
Acne vulgaris
The medical term for common acne. It usually manifests itself with blackheads, whiteheads, papules, and/or pustules.
Androgens
Hormones that stimulate the sebaceous glands. Both males and females have androgens, although levels are higher in males.
Antimicrobial
A medication that kills or eliminates microorganisms.
Benzoyl Peroxide
An organic compound that is often used as an acne treatment because of its ability to kill P. acnes bacteria. Benzoyl Peroxide works as a peeling agent, increasing skin turnover and clearing pores.
Blackhead
A comedo that is open; the follicle surface is open to reveal the top of the blackish material plugging it.
Comedo
A sebaceous follicle (an oil gland in your skin) that is plugged with sebum, dead skin cells, tiny hairs, and sometimes bacteria. A comedo can be a blackhead or a whitehead. (The plural of comedo is comedones.)
Cyst
A cyst is larger than a pimple/pustule and extends into deeper layers of the skin. It can be very painful to the touch and may result in scarring.
Follicle
The tiny opening in the skin through which hair grows and sebum is excreted.
Herbal, organic and natural products
Acne products that are labeled "herbal," "organic" or "natural" have rarely been tested in clinical trials, therefore the value of these treatments is generally unknown.
Lesion
Any physical change in body tissue due to disease or illness. Acne is an external lesion on the skin.
Macule
A temporary red spot left after a whitehead, blackhead, papule or pimple has healed. It may persist for days to weeks before disappearing. Although a sign of healing, macules can contribute to an inflamed look on the skin.
Micronized particles
Particles that are measured in micrometers. In the case of MaxClarity™ Foam, the active ingredients are micronized to be smaller and more readily absorbed than in their original state.
Nodule
A nodule is similar to a whitehead or blackhead, but extends to deeper layers of the skin. A nodule is often inflamed and very tender to the touch.
Non-acnegenic
A description of cosmetics, moisturizers, and other skin products that have been formulated so that they will not cause acne
Noncomedogenic
A description of cosmetics, moisturizers, and other skin products that have been formulated so that they will not cause acne. (The name literally means "no comedones.")
Papule
A small lesion that creates a small bump on the skin. A group of papules might be almost invisible but gives the skin the feel of "sandpaper."
Pimple
Another term for pustule. With this type of lesion, pus has formed in the follicle as the body’s white blood cells fight off bacteria.
Pustule
A pustule or "pimple" is a lesion larger than a papule. With this type of lesion, pus has formed in the follicle as the body’s white blood cells fight off bacteria.
Retinoid
A natural or synthetic substance derived from vitamin A. Retinoids are used in some prescription medications for acne like Retin-A.
Salicylic Acid
A beta hydroxy acid often used in acne treatments. It causes skin cells to shed more readily, preventing pores from clogging up, and allowing room for new cell growth.
Sebaceous gland
A skin gland that produces sebum and is attached to hair follicles around the face, neck, back and chest. Sebacious glands are where acne lesions occur.
Sebum
The oily substance natural to the skin; it is secreted by sebaceous gland.
Whitehead
A comedo that is closed; the follicle opening is closed or very narrow. A whitehead appears as a skin colored or slightly pink bump in the skin.
15Glossary terms referenced from www.aad.org: www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/treatment.html
