What is acne?

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Acne is the most common skin condition in teens. Learn what it is, what it looks like and how you can treat it.

Key points

  • Acne is caused by the hormones of puberty and is not caused by poor hygiene.
  • Acne occurs deep within the skin, and its severity and outcomes are different from person to person.
  • Acne causes comedones (whiteheads and blackheads), papules and nodules (red bumps) and pustules (pus-filled bumps).
  • Picking, squeezing and popping can increase the risk of scarring.
  • Acne is manageable with the right treatment. Ask your health-care provider about your options.

Acne is a very common skin condition, affecting about 85% of teenagers. Acne is also called “pimples”, “zits” or “blemishes”. You can get acne on your face, neck, shoulders, back and chest.

Teens typically get acne because of hormonal changes that happen along with puberty. Acne usually gets better as you get older, although some people continue to have acne into adulthood.

What causes acne?

Your skin contains hair follicles (the tunnel that contains a strand of hair) and pores (the opening of the hair follicle on the skin that the hair passes through).

The oil glands in the skin (sebaceous glands) are attached to the side of the hair follicle and release sebum (the oil product of the skin) into the hair follicle to help prevent skin and hair from drying out. 

As you go through puberty, hormones can stimulate the sebaceous glands and cause them to make more sebum, which can mix with dead skin cells and clog the pores.

Medical illustration of a hair, sebaceous gland, sweat gland and blood vessels in the skin

Everyone has bacteria on their skin. A common type of bacteria that lives on the skin is known as Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). It sometimes contributes to acne by causing inflammation (redness, swelling and sometimes pus). Having this bacteria on the skin is not a sign of poor hygiene—this bacteria lives on most people’s skin.

Acne can be mild or severe. There are also different types of acne.

Blackheads (open comedones)

Comedones are pores that are blocked with oil and dead skin cells. A blackhead is also called an open comedone. A blackhead is generally level with the skin surface but cannot be removed by normal face washing. They appear black because the oil oxidizes when it comes into contact with open air.

Cross section of skin with an oxidized sebum, which appears black at the top, and a surface view of skin with blackheads

Whiteheads (closed comedones)

A whitehead is another type of comedo. It’s slightly raised from the skin but there’s no redness or inflammation. It may look like there is a core of white material or the bump might look like the same colour as your skin.

Cross section of skin with a trapped sebum and clogged pore, and a surface view of skin with whiteheads

Papules

Papules are red, small, hard bumps that are slightly raised on the skin. Papules happen because white blood cells enter the follicle, causing inflammation. White blood cells help to fight infection.

Cross section of skin with inflammation and white blood cells around sebum, and surface view of skin with papules

Pustules

When the white blood cells in a papule make it to the surface of the skin, a pustule is formed. Pustules look like red, inflamed circles with a central, raised bump that is yellowish or white. The bump is filled with pus. Pus is caused by inflammation. It contains white blood cells, dead skin cells and bacteria.

Cross section of pus under the skin and white blood cells that have moved toward the surface, and surface view of pustules

Nodules

When a papule or pustule gets bigger, it can cause more severe inflammation in the surrounding skin. This can lead to nodules, which are deep, red, round bumps that can be as big as 6 to 20 millimetres. They are sometimes called cysts.

Nodules are formed by irritated, inflamed hair follicles that have ruptured, or broken, deep under the skin. They can be throbbing and painful, even without touching.

Cross section of pus and inflammation under the skin with large swollen bump on skin surface, and surface view of nodule

How can I treat acne?

Treatment depends on the severity and type of acne. An effective treatment will help reduce future breakouts and improve the skin's appearance. Keep in mind that it may take up to four to six weeks of treatment before you start to notice a result. The full benefit of a treatment might take four to six months of treatment. Severe acne may need longer. You may need to try several different treatments to find the one that is right for you. 

 

In most cases, your health-care provider or dermatologist (a doctor who treats skin conditions) will prescribe topical treatments (medicines in cream, gel or lotion applied directly on the skin). For more severe acne, they may prescribe an oral treatment (taken by mouth).

Cleansing skin

Acne is a process deep within the skin. Washing your face regularly helps remove dead skin cells and excess oil but doesn't play a significant role in preventing or managing acne.

Sometimes, medicated cleansers are used as part of acne treatment. These products can often be purchased without a prescription but can be irritating or may not be the right choice for your acne. Your health-care provider can explain if these cleansers are a good choice for you.

If you have acne, avoid scrubbing your face when washing because this may make inflammation and irritation worse. Instead, gently wash your face with warm water. You may also use a mild cleansing product if you want.

Topical medications

Topical retinoids

Topical retinoids unplug comedones and improve the process of shedding the old skin cells. They may also help reduce any inflammation. They can also reduce the number of new acne lesions that develop. Retinoids can cause deep but hard-to-see comedones to come to the surface and look more inflamed and noticeable. This is often called "purging". It is the way that retinoids work and most commonly occurs in the first few weeks of using the medication. Sometimes that makes it seem like the medication is making acne worse, but it is actually part of the treatment and usually settles down within a few weeks.

Some side effects may occur when using a topical retinoid. These include:

  • mild irritation
  • redness
  • dryness
  • peeling
  • sensitivity to sun

If you are pregnant, or thinking about having a baby, talk to your health-care provider before using a topical retinoid as they should not be used during pregnancy.

Use regular sun protection on exposed skin treated with retinoids.

Avoid skin damage, such as waxing, laser or exfoliation (e.g., facials, scrubs), in the areas where you are applying retinoids.

Retinoids are available in many strengths and formulations. There is no one “better” option; your health-care provider will recommend a retinoid that is most appropriate for you.

Topical anti-inflammatory medications

Topical anti-inflammatory medications are used to reduce inflammation and can reduce bacteria that contribute to inflammation. One option is benzoyl peroxide, which is available over the counter.

Use caution when applying benzoyl peroxide because it is a strong bleaching agent that can damage fabrics. In rare cases, it can cause an allergic reaction, which could cause significant redness, swelling and/or itching.

Topical androgen blockers

Clascoterone helps block androgens (hormones) from causing the sebaceous glands to secrete excess sebum (oil). The medication can also help reduce inflammation. Unlike many of the other topical medications, this one is used two times per day.

Oral medications (medications by mouth)

Oral antibiotics

An oral antibiotic is sometimes used for treating more significant acne, which is mostly made up of inflammatory papules or nodules. Just like topical treatments, oral antibiotics reduce inflammation. Taking antibiotics for a long time can cause problems; for example, it can disrupt the normal bacteria of the gut or cause some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic. To reduce these risks, most health-care providers will recommend only using these medications for a short time.

Hormonal therapy

Treating acne with an oral contraceptive (birth control pill) is an effective treatment option for some female patients. This type of treatment limits sebum secretion by reducing androgen levels. Other topical and oral treatments can be used along with oral hormonal therapy.

Treating acne using hormones is not for everybody. For more information, talk to your health-care provider.

Oral isotretinoin

Isotretinoin (known as Accutane® in North America; Clarus®, Epuris®, Absorbica® in Canada; and Roaccutane® in Europe) is a chemical compound related to vitamin A. In most cases, isotretinoin is used to treat severe nodular and scarring acne because it:

  • reduces sebum secretion
  • prevents comedones from forming
  • acts as an anti-inflammatory
  • stops C. acnes from multiplying in hair follicles and sebaceous glands

However, this type of acne treatment must be closely monitored because isotretinoin has several side effects. More common side effects include dry skin, lips, nose and eyes. All side effects will start to disappear when treatment stops.

However, there are more severe side effects. For example, isotretinoin can interfere with the development of a fetus. If you are pregnant or thinking about having a baby, talk to your health-care provider about the side effects of isotretinoin. There are also concerns about depression, headaches, joint or muscle aches and pains, and impact on the liver.

Combined treatment

A combined treatment can be an effective way to treat acne. A topical retinoid and an anti-inflammatory cream or gel can be used together. Sometimes, they are combined in one product. Other times, they are used as two different products. For example, a topical anti-inflammatory may be applied in the morning and a topical retinoid may be used at night.

Oral medications are also used in combination with a topical treatment. Many people taking a pill will get added benefit from also using topical medication.

Your health-care provider will advise you on how and when to use a combined treatment for acne.

Scar prevention

Handle acne with care. Manipulating, squeezing and popping increases the likelihood of scarring. The best way to prevent scarring is to actively treat the acne and avoid manipulating the lesions.

When should I talk to a health-care provider?

If you have any questions about how to treat your acne or if it’s causing you stress and worry, talk to your health-care provider. They may be able to help you, or they can refer you to a dermatologist.

Treatment is not only for those who have severe acne. No matter how little or how much acne you might have, you can seek treatment for your skin.

Last updated: March 17th 2024