Sebaceous acne refers to acne that is caused by an overproduction of oils from the sebaceous glands. This oil becomes clogged in your pores, resulting in acne pustules. It's important to know how to recognize and treat sebaceous acne in order to return your skin to normal.
Appearance
Sebaceous acne typically contains high levels of sebum, which can be more yellow in color. Acne of this nature is more pus-filled and infected looking, and can often cause the skin to become painful and swollen. Sebaceous acne is often referred to as cystic, pustular, or nodular acne, and can seem resistant to topical acne treatments.
Severity
Sebaceous acne can be more severe than mild or moderate acne, and can often leave behind scars if picked or left untreated. Sebaceous acne can develop in patches, and usually causes your skin to become red and irritated.
Treatments
Treating sebaceous acne should involve cleansing your skin using a gentle cleanser-- such as a soap designed for sensitive skin types--or a non-comedogenic oil such as jojoba or castor oil. To cleanse with oil, massaged the skin with the oil for at least two minutes, then wipe it clean using a steaming washcloth. The skin should be medicated using a low-concentration of benzoyl peroxide, which clears up sebaceous acne without worsening inflammation and irritation. If the benzoyl peroxide cream is too strong, or over 2.5 percent in concentration, it can worsen sebaceous acne by making skin overly dry. This causes the sebaceous glands to overproduce more oils, leading to more acne. Finally, the skin should be hydrated using an oil-free moisturizer that keeps your skin soft without re-clogging the pores.
Side Effects
Benzoyl peroxide cream can cause side effects for some people, even in its lowest concentrations. These can include redness, peeling, itching and burning. If you start to exhibit these side effects, discontinue using the benzoyl peroxide cream and consult your doctor or dermatologist.
Considerations
If your sebaceous acne doesn't decrease after using over-the-counter treatments for at least three weeks, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. There are prescription-strength acne creams, antibacterial injections and pharmaceuticals that may be able to help clear the most severe types of acne. These stronger treatments must be supervised by a licensed doctor or dermatologist, and may have more severe side effects.
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