By Sarah Farrar, MChem.
Founder of AINMHÍ  
23rd June 2025
Sarah is a leading expert in skincare formulation design and development, with over 7 years of experience creating bespoke formulations for companies all over the world. She is the Founder and Chief Technical Officer at AINMHÍ in County Kerry, Ireland and is responsible for the creation of multiple award-winning skincare products from the heart of Kenmare.

Are you struggling with persistent breakouts, painful bumps, or recurring spots? Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that can affect individuals at any stage of life. Gain comprehensive, expert-backed insights into its causes, various manifestations, and the most effective treatment strategies available.

What is Acne? A Dermatological Overview

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent chronic inflammatory condition involving the pilosebaceous units—the hair follicles and their associated sebaceous (oil) glands—in the skin. This condition primarily arises from the blockage of these pores, leading to a range of skin lesions—(spots, angry red lumps, pimples).

While often associated with adolescence, acne can persist into adulthood or even appear for the first time later in life. Regardless of when it occurs, acne can be distressing, causing physical discomfort, pain, and significantly impacting self-esteem.

The Multifactorial Causes of Acne Development

Acne develops as a result of a complex interplay of three primary physiological processes occurring within the skin's pores:

1. Follicular Hyperkeratinization (Blockage of Pores): Skin cells, known as keratinocytes, continuously line the walls of the hair follicles and are shed to make way for new cells. In acne-prone skin, there is an overproduction of these cells. This excess, combined with an over-secretion of natural skin oil (sebum), causes dead skin cells to stick together, forming a tenacious keratin plug that effectively blocks the pore.
2. Increased Sebum Production: The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates the skin. Hormonal influences (e.g., androgens), stress, and genetics can stimulate these glands to produce an excessive amount of sebum, creating an ideal, anaerobic environment within the blocked pore.
3. Bacterial Proliferation: The bacterium Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes, is a normal resident of healthy skin and usually causes no issues. However, within the oxygen-deprived environment of a blocked pore, C. acnes can multiply rapidly. This bacterial overgrowth triggers a robust inflammatory response in the surrounding skin, leading to the characteristic redness, swelling, heat, and pain associated with acne lesions (spots).

When these three factors converge, they collectively result in the various types of acne lesions.

Potential Triggers and Aggravating Factors for Acne:

Understanding potential triggers can help in managing and preventing acne flare-ups:

• Hormonal Fluctuations: Significant hormonal shifts, such as those occurring during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), can notably influence sebum production and subsequent acne development. Changes to oral contraceptive use can also be a factor.
• Medications: Certain prescription medications, including oral corticosteroids and some anti-epilepsy treatments, are known to induce or worsen acne as a side effect.
• Cosmetics and Hair Products: Products that are greasy, oily, or contain comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients can contribute to blockages and breakouts.
• Friction and Pressure (Acne Mechanica): Repeated pressure, rubbing, or friction on the skin (e.g., from tight clothing, helmets, or even leaning on the hands frequently) can exacerbate acne.
• Stress: While not a direct cause, psychological stress can influence hormonal levels and inflammation, potentially leading to acne flare-ups.

Understanding Acne Lesions: Common Symptoms and Their Appearance

Acne manifests in various forms, commonly referred to as 'spots' or 'pimples.' These lesions can be broadly categorized, and using these simple terms can be helpful when discussing your symptoms with your doctor or pharmacist:

Non-Inflammatory Lesions (Comedones): These are primary lesions that occur due to pore blockages but without significant inflammation.

• Blackheads (Open Comedones): Clogged pores that appear as small, dark bumps on the skin's surface. The dark colour is due to the oxidation of sebum and dead skin cells upon exposure to air, not dirt.
• Whiteheads (Closed Comedones): Clogged pores that are completely covered by a thin layer of skin, appearing as small, flesh-coloured or white bumps.

Inflammatory Lesions: These lesions involve significant inflammation and are often red, swollen, and painful.

• Papules: Small, solid, red, and tender bumps that lack a pus-filled centre.
• Pustules: Small, red bumps with a distinct white or yellow pus-filled centre. They are often painful to the touch.
• Nodules: Larger, firm, red, and tender swollen bumps that form deep under the skin's surface. They are typically hard to the touch and can be very painful.
• Cysts: These are the most severe form of acne lesion: large, swollen, and very painful bumps that form deep within the skin, filled with pus. Cysts are often associated with a higher risk of scarring.

While the face is most commonly affected, acne can also appear on the neck, chest, back, and shoulders.

10 Essential Tips for Managing Acne Effectively

These practical tips, gathered from dermatology experts, can significantly aid in managing your acne and improving skin health:

1. Dietary Considerations:  Maintain a healthy, balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables for overall skin health. Your skin function is supported from the variety of vitamins and minerals found in these foods, especially green veggies.
2. Embrace Patience: Acne treatments require time to work. It's crucial to be patient; a trial period of at least 6-8 weeks is typically necessary before determining the effectiveness of any particular product.
3. Adhere to Regimens: Always use products exactly as directed. This includes correct timing, frequency, dosage, as these factors impact effectiveness.
4. Resist Picking and Squeezing: This is paramount! Do not poke, squeeze, or pick at spots. This harmful habit can worsen inflammation, spread bacteria, prolong healing, and significantly increase the risk of permanent scarring.
5. Avoid Rubbing and Excessive Touching: Minimize touching your face and avoid rubbing affected areas to decrease the risk of transferring bacteria and irritating inflamed lesions.
6. Gentle Cleansing: Avoid vigorous washing or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate already sensitive skin. Wash the affected skin gently twice daily with a mild, non-drying cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat skin dry with a clean, soft cotton towel. Always remove all makeup before bed.
7. Hair Hygiene: Regularly shampoo your hair, especially if it tends to be oily. If you have long hair, tie it back to keep hair and hair products away from your face and neck.
8. Targeted Application: Ensure you apply a thin, even layer of product to the whole face with clean hands, not just to individual spots. This helps treat existing acne and prevents new breakouts.
9. Choose Non-Comedogenic Products: Select cosmetics, toiletries, and sunscreens that are specifically labelled "non-comedogenic", meaning they are formulated not to block pores. 
10. Prioritize Sun Protection: Having acne lesions or sore spots can increase sun sensitivity. Avoid intentional sunburn or suntan. While a tan might temporarily mask redness, these perceived benefits are fleeting, and excessive sun exposure carries significant risks, including premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. Always use a non-comedogenic, broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA/UVB protection) with a minimum SPF 30.

10 Ingredients From Our AINMHÍ Serums That Can Help Combat Acne

Here at AINMHÍ, we understand that acne can be the bane of your skincare life and it effects most of us, not just teenagers! That's why we've incorporated the following key ingredients into our serums to help restore your skin back to its regular glowing glory:

1. Irish Springwater: We only use local Springwater to blend our serums, which is naturally filtered through the bedrock below the soil. This natural filtration causes a unique combination of minerals to be imparted into the water, which can help contribute to healthy skin function. 
2. Wild Harvested Flax Oil: We know what you're thinking, "Oil?!" but wait, our Flax Oil is wild harvested in the Boyne Valley, part of Ireland's Ancient East. Our Flax is completely non-comedogenic and bursting with 30 times as much Omega-3 as most standard oils, which can help regulate your skins own natural sebum (oil) production and stop the cause of oily skin and blocked pores over time. 
3. Self-Heal Flower: A natural and potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, Self-Heal flower or Prunella Vulgaris is one of Ireland's best kept secrets. A local flora that is most often dismissed as a weed, this purple flower has been used for thousands of years by Irish women to treat skin complaints and heal wounds.
4. Irish Sage: Another natural anti-bacterial, our Sage is probably Ireland's most famous holistic ingredient. It can help to combat the skin bacterial responsible for acne.
5. Caprylyl Glycol: A real all-in-one powerhouse, our Natural Origin Caprylyl Glycol is a moisturiser, emollient (softener), humectant (keep moisture in) and anti-bacterial ingredient helping to soothe, smooth, hydrate and reduce bacterial all at the same time. 
6. Irish Triple Helix Seaweed Blend: We use a traditional, hand-harvested blend of 3 types of seaweed that can be found on the Wild Atlantic Way; Spirulina, Carrageen Irish Sea Moss and Bladderwrack are natural anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories which have been used by Irish women for centuries to soothe and repair. It also contains a natural active called Fucoidan which helps protect from environmental damage and boost collagen. 
7. Milkthistle: Another purple flower often dismissed as a garden weed is actually a potent, natural anti-acne ingredient. Also known as Silybum Marianum, this Irish botanical contains an active compound called Silymarin has been shown in scientific studies to improve skin quality and noticeably reduce the appearance of spots. 
8. Organic Chestnut Leaf: The key active ingredient in our Etaín's Serum, this natural, award-winning extract is clinically proven to improve the appearance of skin, reduce redness and help support the skin’s natural physical, microbial and immune barriers in a triple-defence action.
9. Hawthorn: We use an organic, alcohol-free grade of Irish Hawthorn Berry, which is a natural anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and astringent. This is ideal for fresh acne breakouts, helping to soothe, reduce redness and minimise the visible pore size. 
10. Lactococcus Ferment:  The key active ingredient in our Samhain Night Serum, this natural Pro-Biotic offers all kind of benefits from blue UV shield to circadian rhythm reset. But most importantly, for those suffering from acne breakouts, this Pro-Biotic has the clinically proven ability to help repair and detoxify skin.