Acne Glossary
Puzzled by all the confusing terms used to describe acne? Here you'll find important terms and definitions commonly used to describe acne, plus key ingredients and scientific procedures used to treat it.
Acne
A skin disorder caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands and its attached hair follicles. Typically appears in regions where these glands and follicles are most prominent: face, neck, chest, shoulders, upper arms and back. Includes whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. Usually starts at puberty and can continue for several years.
Acne Mechanica
A form of acne caused by aggravated heat, covered skin, constant pressure and repetitive friction against the skin. Common causes of acne mechanica are: helmet and helmet straps worn by football and hockey players, hats or caps worn for long periods of time, headbands worn for long periods of time, tight workout clothing/uniforms made of synthetic fabric, straps on backpacks and adhesive tape that remains on the skin for several days. Also referred to as sports-induced acne.Astringent
A liquid cosmetic used to cleanse the skin and contract the pores. Also referred to as a toner.
Benzalkonium Chloride
A powerful mixture of chlorides containing strong agents that work to keep skin immune from infections and acne bacteria. Its active agents help keep acne-bacteria spores from entering the pores and are considered to be extremely resistant.
Benzoyl Peroxide
A white crystalline compound (C14 H10 O4) typically used in acne medications. This effective ingredient works by introducing oxygen into the pores, killing acne bacteria that cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment. It also helps prevent breakouts before they start by clearing dead skin cells that cause pore blockages.
Blackhead
A small, black-tipped lesion consisting of a clogged pore filled with sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells. The surface of lesion turns black because of melanin or because of a chemical reaction of the plug content with air.
Cyst
A large, pus-filled lesion that's usually inflamed and painful. Can become infected and cause scarring.
Comedo
A thickened secretion consisting of a clogged pore, characterized by a flesh-tone bump (whitehead) or as a flat, rounded or slightly raised pore containing dark material (blackhead).
Continuous-release Benzoyl Peroxide
Process found exclusively in AcneFree products that gradually delivers the appropriate amount of Benzoyl Peroxide to treat and prevent acne 24/7.
Continuous-release Salicylic Acid
Process found exclusively in AcneFree products that gradually delivers the appropriate amount of Salicylic Acid to treat and prevent acne 24/7.
Dermis
The dense inner layer of skin beneath the epidermis. Is composed of connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels, sweat glands and hair follicles. Is involved in many important skin functions, including wound healing.
Dermatologist
A doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the skin.
Dead Skin Cells
Cells that build up on the surface of the skin and act as a barrier to absorb nourishing creams and lotions and also block sweat glands, which can result in whiteheads, blackheads or acne.
Extract
To pull or draw out, usually with special effort or force.
Exfoliation
The process of removing dead skin cells from the skin surface. Can be done by using topical skin care medications, chemicals, scrubs or medical instruments.
Epidermis
The outer, nonvascular, nonsesnsitive layer of the skin, made up mostly of skin cells. It has various functions, the most important being to act as a barrier against harmful environmental factors.
Gorgonian Extract
A botanical ingredient derived from the gorgonian plant (also known as sea whip), known to help minimize redness and inflammation in the skin.
Hair Follicle
A small canal in the epidermis of the skin, where hair develops.
Hormones
Various chemical substances that circulate through the body and regulate cell/body functions.
Hyperpigmentation
Coloration of the skin. In acne, it usually appears at the site of a pimple and discoloration can last for a while.
Inflammatory Lesion
A red, inflamed acne lesion, also known as a pimple. Usually has a while/yellow pus pocket in the center of the lesion. Can be slightly raised and tender to the touch.
Lesion
An abnormal structural change in your pore.
Macule
A lesion that differs in color from its surrounding skin, resulting from old acne lesions.
Marks
A visible stain on the skin. Can be caused by acne.
Melanin
Any variations of black, dark brown, reddish-brown or yellow pigments in the skin.
Micro-Benzoyl Peroxide
Unique formula found exclusively in AcneFree products. Delivers doses of Benzoyl Peroxide small enough to penetrate into each and every pore to fight acne-causing bacteria on contact.
Micro-Salicylic Acid
Unique formula found exclusively in AcneFree products. Delivers doses of Salicylic Acid small enough to penetrate into each and every pore to fight acne-causing bacteria on contact.
Nodule
A small, abnormal node, mass or lump. With acne, it's usually caused by severe acne and may appear as an inflamed, deep, red bump that's larger than a pimple. Can be painful and lead to scarring.
Nodulocystic Acne
A severe type of acne characterized by several nodules/cysts. Lesions are inflamed, painful, large and contain pus. Will often produce scarring.
Non-Inflammatory Lesion
A lesion that is not inflamed/red. Examples of non-inflammatory lesions are blackheads and whiteheads.
Papule
A small, inflamed lesion, also known as a pimple.
Pimple
A small, inflamed, swollen or elevated part the skin. Also referred to as a papule or pustule.
Pustule
A small, inflamed, elevated lesion containing pus. Also referred to as a pimple. Differs from a papule because of the pus located in the center of the lesion.
Spot Treatment
Skin care medication used to treat individual acne lesions.
Sebaceous Glands
Glands that produce oil called sebum. These glands secrete oil to hair follicles, which lubricate hair and skin. Most sebaceous glands are found on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, upper arms and back.
Sebum
A fatty secretion of the sebaceous glands that lubricates hair and skin. Reaches the surface of the skin through the pores. Too much sebum production can clog pores and result in acne.
Salicylic Acid
A crystalline phenolic acid (C7 H5 O3) found in many over-the-counter acne treatment products. Works by dissolving dead skin cells inside hair follicles, which unclogs pores. Can also be used as a preventative medication to stop new clogged pores from forming.
Sloughing
The action of removing dead skin cells, i.e. exfoliate.
Toner
A liquid cosmetic for cleansing the skin and contracting the pores. Also known as astringent.
Whitehead
A small pimple having a white or yellowish head, due to a pore clogged with dead skin cells and oils. A layer of skin covers the surface of a whitehead, so because it's not exposed to air, it won't get dark, like a blackhead.
Zit
A small, inflamed lesion, also known as a pimple.