Pimple

A small raised skin lesion, often inflamed and containing pus, commonly caused by blockage and inflammation of a hair follicle in acne.

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Acne vulgaris: A chronic skin condition involving clogged hair follicles, often producing comedones, papules, pustules, and nodules. Pimples are common inflammatory lesions within this broader condition.
Hair follicle: A skin structure that surrounds a hair root and opens at the skin surface. Acne pimples commonly form when this structure becomes blocked and inflamed.
Benzoyl peroxide: A topical acne medication that reduces acne-associated bacteria and helps clear blocked follicles. It is commonly used to treat inflammatory pimples.
Boil: A painful skin abscess that forms around a hair follicle, usually involving Staphylococcus aureus. A boil is typically deeper and larger than an ordinary acne pimple.
Sebaceous gland: A skin gland that releases oily sebum, usually into a hair follicle. Its sebum contributes to follicle blockage and creates conditions for acne lesions.
Sebum: An oily substance produced by sebaceous glands that lubricates skin and hair. Excess sebum can combine with dead cells to block a follicle.
Salicylic acid: A topical beta hydroxy acid that helps loosen dead skin cells within pores. It can help clear follicle blockages associated with acne lesions.
Folliculitis: Inflammation of hair follicles that produces small red bumps or pustules. It can resemble acne but arises from follicle inflammation with different causes.
Cutibacterium acnes: A bacterium that commonly lives in hair follicles and can contribute to acne inflammation. It can promote inflammation in clogged follicles, though it is not the sole cause.
Keratinocyte: The predominant cell type in the outer layer of skin, producing the structural protein keratin. Dead keratinocytes can accumulate with sebum and obstruct follicle openings.