One of the most common skin diseases in the United States is acne and 60 million Americans have this condition. Acne is an inflammatory, non-contagious skin disease that affects the pores covering the face, back, chest and arms and the oil glands attached to them. Too much oil, formally known as sebum, is produced by the sebaceous gland and causes a greasy, course complexion. When the pores that hold our hairs become blocked by dead skin cells and oil, eruptions known as acne pimples are formed.

The most common form of this disease is mild acne, which is clinically referred to as acne vulgaris, and includes blemishes such as blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules. Blackheads develop when a pore is partially clogged and some of the trapped bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells drain to the surface and your skin's pigment reacts with the oxygen in the air and causes a black color. Whiteheads occur when a pore is fully blocked and traps bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells with a white appearance. Pustules are like whiteheads, however, they appear as an inflamed red circle with a yellow or white center. Finally, papules are tender, red, inflamed bumps that have no head at all.

Severe acne vulgaris is defined by the appearance of nodules and cysts. Nodules are big, hard bumps under the surface of the skin that can last for month and feel painful. Cysts are filled with pus and can have a diameter of 5mm across or more. This type of acne would require treatment from a skin doctor, known as a dermatologist.

If you have mild acne, it is important to cleanse your skin two to three times per day with a cleanser developed for oily skin. Regular use of astringents and masks can be helpful in keeping the pores from getting clogged. A light moisturizer can also help your skin. Avoiding oily skin care products and foods will minimize the existence and production of oil in your skin. A healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet, exercise and sleep will reflect in your skin. Ensuring that you drink plenty of water and incorporate all vitamins into your diet will also improve the health of your skin.