Why Does Cystic Acne Happen?

There’s no one single cause of cystic acne. Cystic acne can occur at any age as a result of dietary sensitivities, an overproduction of sebum, or a bacterial imbalance in the skin microbiome.

Cystic acne starts when a pore in your skin becomes clogged with dead skin cells or acne-causing bacteria. This causes the area to become red and swollen. When this infection goes deep into your skin, it creates a painful bump filled with pus. When these bumps burst, the bacteria spreads, leading to more breakouts.

Cystic Acne vs Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne is seen in men and women going through significant hormonal changes due to aging, pregnancy, or even stress.Hormonal acne can mimic the symptoms of cystic acne. If you're noticing inflamed cystic acne on your chin or jawline area, it could be hormonal acne.

While cystic acne and hormonal acne are different, both require a whole-body approach to healthy skin. Considering both external and internal factors, such as supporting the skin barrier through microbiome-friendly skin care and maintaining overall health through diet, adequate sleep, and stress reduction, will help address the root causes of acne.

Since skincare is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to clearing hormonal acne, check out our blog post which explains some root causes.

How to Help Cystic Acne

If you’re using Phyla to treat cystic acne, keep in mind that your skin microbiome will be changing for the better but it can take longer to see noticeable results. You may see acne improvement within the first few weeks, but most customers with cystic acne report even clearer skin after 3-6 months of continued treatment.

Since cystic acne is a chronic skin condition, fixing it does take time.We have observed that with severe or chronic acne (if you’ve had it for a long time with painful flare-ups), the microbiome can take awhile to recalibrate. In this case, it’s best to use the entire Phyla system regularly, day and night, and avoid other ingredients (like silicones such as dimethicone) that might kill our phage.

Some of the following lifestyle changes can also impact your overall skin health:

Try to find ways to reduce unnecessary stress. Take a few minutes each day to journal, meditate, or listen to relaxing music.
Avoid processed foods and focus on whole foods. Listen to your body if you notice that your cystic acne flares up when you eat certain foods.
Avoid harsh skincare products, particularly those that contain alcohol and acids.
Wash your face and body after working out to remove oil and bacteria.
Use warm compresses to soothe inflammation. Soak a clean cloth in hot water and gently press on your skin (do not rub!) for 10–15 minutes.
Avoid picking at your skin to lessen irritation and prevent bacteria from spreading. Try covering the breakouts with hydrocolloid patches if needed.

Have more questions about cystic acne? Email us at info@phylabiotics.com.