Do you ever wonder why some of your breakouts are more severe than others? Have you heard people talk about different types of acne, but aren’t sure which category your pimples fit into?
Bacterial acne vs hormonal acne are the two main categories that most blemishes can be placed in. Keep on reading to find out all the differences between the two main types of acne.
Bacterial Acne vs Hormonal Acne – What’s the Difference?
Acne breakouts are a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Acne can manifest in different forms, including clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
Acne can be caused by various factors, including hormonal and bacterial imbalances. But how can you tell if acne is hormonal or bacterial?
Hormonal acne and bacterial acne are two types of acne that are caused by different factors. Hormonal acne is caused by hormonal imbalances in the body, while bacterial acne is caused by bacterial overgrowth on the skin.
Hormonal acne and bacterial acne may have similar symptoms, but they have different underlying causes.
Hormonal acne is typically seen in women and is caused by an increase in androgens, which leads to excess oil production and clogged pores.
Bacterial acne, on the other hand, is caused by the overgrowth of bacteria on the skin, which can lead to inflammation and infection.
Fungal acne is another type of acne that can be mistaken for traditional acne, but it is caused by a fungal infection rather than bacteria.
Fungal acne typically looks like traditional acne but is often more stubborn and difficult to treat.
Treatment for hormonal acne and bacterial acne are different. Hormonal acne is often treated with medications that regulate hormone levels, such as birth control pills or spironolactone.
Bacterial acne is typically treated with topical or oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
What Causes Acne? Understanding Hormonal Changes and Bacterial Influence
Acne is often caused by a combination of factors such as hormonal imbalances, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
Hormonal fluctuations, times of stress, or hormonal imbalances can all contribute to acne. While acne is often associated with teenagers, it can affect anyone at any age.
Hormonal acne is caused by an overproduction of androgens, which are male hormones. These hormones stimulate oil glands to produce more oil, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Hormonal fluctuations during times such as puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy can cause an increase in androgens, leading to an increase in acne.
Bacterial acne, on the other hand, is caused by the presence of bacteria on the skin.
The bacteria, known as Propionibacterium acnes, feeds on the excess oil produced by the skin and can cause inflammation and breakouts.
Bacterial acne can be exacerbated by factors such as poor hygiene, sweating, and wearing tight clothing.
Acne is not caused by poor hygiene or eating greasy foods, as was once believed.
While these factors can contribute to acne, they are not the cause of your acne.
Working out the correct cause and reason for your acne and breakouts, can help you work out the best course of treatment.
Hormonal acne may require hormonal therapy or birth control pills to regulate hormones, while bacterial acne may require topical or oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
You might find, you need a combination of treatments, to treat your skin conditions.
How Can You Tell if Your Type Of Acne is Hormonal or Bacterial?
Identifying whether your acne is hormonal or bacterial can be challenging. However, there are certain clues that can help you determine which type of acne you’re dealing with.
Acne is usually caused by hormonal imbalances, but sometimes, bacterial problems can make the condition worse. Bacterial acne is caused by bacteria infecting your pores.
Whereas, hormonal acne is caused by excess sebum in oil glands, and possibly dietary reasons like being lactose intolerant.
Acne often manifests as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or cysts. Hormonal acne is likely to occur on the lower face, jawline, and chin, while bacterial acne can occur anywhere on the face and body.
One way to tell which type of acne you have is to examine the nature of the breakout. Hormonal acne is usually characterized by deep, cystic pimples that are painful and take a long time to heal.
Whereas bacterial acne is often characterized by small, red pimples that are not painful and heal quickly.
Another way to tell which type of acne is causing your breakouts is to consider your age. Hormonal acne is most common in teenagers and women in their 20s and 30s. Bacterial acne can occur at any age.
If you’re still unsure whether your acne is hormonal or bacterial, it’s best to see a dermatologist.
They can examine your skin and determine the underlying cause of your acne. They may also recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Best Treatment Options For Your Cause Of Acne
When it comes to treating acne, the best approach depends on the underlying cause of the breakouts.
While over-the-counter acne treatments can be effective for mild cases of acne, more severe cases may require prescription medications or a combination of treatments.
For bacterial acne, topical treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide or antibiotics can be effective in reducing inflammation and killing bacteria.
A dermatologist may also recommend oral antibiotics or isotretinoin for more severe cases.
Hormonal acne, on the other hand, may require a different treatment plan. Topical treatments that contain clindamycin or adapalene can be effective in reducing inflammation, while oral contraceptives or spironolactone may be recommended to regulate hormone levels.
In some cases, acne may be a combination of both bacterial and hormonal factors. In these cases, a combination of treatments may be necessary to effectively manage acne flare-ups.
Your acne can be treated, but it may require some trial and error to find the most effective treatment plan for each individual.
How Do You Treat Hormonal Acne Effectively?
Hormonal acne is caused by hormonal fluctuations in the body, particularly an increase in androgen levels.
This type of acne requires a different approach to treatment than bacterial acne. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are several ways to effectively treat hormonal acne.
One option is birth control, which can help regulate hormones and prevent acne breakouts.
Certain types of birth control, such as combination pills, contain estrogen and progestin, which can help with hormonal acne.
Not all types of birth control are effective for treating acne, and it may take several months to see results.
Another option is topical treatments, such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide. These can help with hormonal acne by reducing inflammation and unclogging pores.
However, make sure you use the skincare products as directed and not overuse them as part of your skincare routine, as they can cause dryness and irritation.
Diet can also play a role in hormonal acne. Some foods may help prevent acne, particularly inflammation-fighting foods.
Plant-based foods high in antioxidants may help reduce inflammation and promote clearer skin. Omega-3 fatty acids may also help with hormonal acne.
As well as these treatments, lifestyle changes can also be effective in treating hormonal acne.
Getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and exercising regularly can all help balance hormones and prevent acne breakouts.
Hormonal acne can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
What Are the Best Ways to Treat Bacterial Acne?
Bacterial acne is a common skin condition that requires proper treatment to avoid even more acne development and scarring.
Bacterial acne is caused by a combination of bacterial overgrowth, inflammation, and increased sebum production. It often appears as inflammatory reactions surrounding the pores and hair follicles.
Bacterial acne requires specific treatments that target the root cause of the problem.
Bacterial acne is usually treated with topical or oral antibiotics, which can help reduce the number of bacteria on the skin and prevent more acne development.
Topical treatments for bacterial acne may include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids. These treatments work by reducing inflammation and killing the bacteria that cause acne.
Benzoyl peroxide is an effective topical treatment that can be found in several different types of acne creams on the market.
Salicylic acid works by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation, while retinoids help to exfoliate the skin and reduce the production of sebum.
Bacterial acne may require oral antibiotics for severe cases. Oral antibiotics work by reducing the number of bacteria on the skin and preventing new breakouts from appearing.
Common oral antibiotics used to treat bacterial acne include tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline.
As well as trying antibiotics, other treatments for bacterial acne may include light therapy, chemical peels, and laser treatments.
These treatments work by reducing inflammation and killing the bacteria that cause acne.
Understanding the Causes of Fungal Acne and How It Differs from Bacterial and Hormonal Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects many people, especially during puberty. Acne can be difficult to treat and manage, and it can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem.
Severe acne most commonly affects the face, neck, chest, and back. There are several types of acne, including hormonal acne, bacterial acne, and fungal acne.
Fungal acne, also known as pityrosporum folliculitis, is a type of acne that is caused by an overgrowth of yeast inside the hair follicles.
Unlike bacterial acne, which is caused by excess sebum clogging the hair follicles, fungal acne is caused by the yeast that naturally lives on the skin.
Fungal acne often appears in clusters and manifests itself as small, itchy bumps.
Fungal acne differs from bacterial and hormonal acne in several ways. Hormonal acne is caused by the skin’s sensitivity towards male dominant hormones called androgens.
Androgens stimulate oil glands to overproduce oil, which feeds acne-causing bacteria, causing them to overgrow and clog pores.
Bacterial acne, on the other hand, is caused by excess sebum production, dead skin cell build-up, hormonal changes, and bacterial overgrowth.
Unlike bacterial acne, which is treated with antibiotics, fungal acne is treated with antifungal acne medications. Antifungal medications can be taken orally or applied topically to the affected area.
Using antibiotics to treat fungal acne can actually make the condition worse by killing off the good bacteria that naturally live on the skin.
Can Hormonal Acne Be Prevented?
Hormonal acne can be prevented by making lifestyle changes to reduce stress. Stress is a major cause of hormonal imbalances that can lead to breakouts, so it’s important to make sure relaxation and stress relief are a key part of your daily routine.
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of lean proteins, fruits, and veggies will help keep hormones balanced as well.
Staying hydrated and drinking enough water is also essential for maintaining overall health and keeping skin clear from both hormonal and bacterial acne.
Using skin care products specifically formulated for people prone to hormonal acne can help keep current breakouts at bay while preventing new ones from forming.
Make sure you look for cleansers or lotions containing ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid which act as exfoliants to unblock clogged pores while reducing redness and inflammation
Summary
Acne is a common skin condition that can be caused by hormonal imbalances, bacterial overgrowth, and fungal infections.
Bacterial acne and hormonal acne are the two main types of acne that affect millions of people worldwide.
Hormonal acne occurs in women when there is an increase in androgens, which leads to excess oil production and clogged pores.
Bacterial acne is caused by the overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria on the skin, which can lead to breakouts. Fungal acne is caused by a fungal infection rather than bacteria.
Treatment options for each type of acne depend on the underlying cause but often involve medications such as antibiotics, birth control pills, or topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide or retinoids.
Diet changes and lifestyle modifications can also help reduce inflammation and promote clearer skin.
All products featured on Gemma Etc. are PR samples or gifted items, unless otherwise indicated. This post may contain affiliate links. If you wish to find out more, please see my Disclaimer within my navigation bar.