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August 22, 2022

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Beauty is far from frivolous. Yes, it can be fun and playful (a swipe of sparkly shadow can instantly put a smile on my face), but caring about your skin isn’t vanity—and this connection is extremely evident when it comes to acne. 

After all, acne is a skin condition, and a complicated one at that. Not only can breakouts become physically painful and lead to long-term scarring, but acne can also take a mental toll. A recent 2022 study even found that individuals compared acne and acne scars to an “unwanted intruder” responsible for their poor self-esteem and struggle for self-acceptance, and these feelings can linger long after the blemishes themselves have cleared up. A 2020 systematic review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found a significant association between both acne and depression and acne and anxiety. Suffice it to say, acne is more than skin-deep. 

And, look, your skin is a living, functional, beautiful organ that does so much to protect you—but it’s OK to feel frustrated by some blemishes taking up the real estate. Just know that treating acne is a delicate dance that may require multiple approaches, which is exactly why we’ve created this master guide. Ahead, find everything you need to know about addressing acne, no matter which type of spot you’ve got. 

Technically, all acne stems from some level of inflammation as dead skin, oil, and bacteria stick together and block the pores. Specifically, an overgrowth of the bacteria Cutibacterium acnes can cause the release of inflammatory cytokines and messengers to create clinical inflammation, which results in a breakout. 

From there, you can wind up with various types of blemishes. Some spots are more red and painful (like papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules), while others result in much subtler mounds (like blackheads, whiteheads, and subclinical breakouts). We have a whole guide to the different types of acne if you want to learn more, but here’s the gist: 

• Whiteheads: Whiteheads are small, fleshy bumps on the skin, caused by dead skin, excess oil, and overall debris blocking the pores. 
• Blackheads: Blackheads form the same way whiteheads do (i.e., when the pore becomes blocked with gunk and oil), but they’re exposed to oxygen, which makes them dark in color.
• Subclinical acne: It’s not a term used in dermatology, but subclinical acne is basically a fancy way of saying “congested skin.” It’s synonymous with whiteheads. 
• Papules: Think of the stereotypical solid, red-colored bump you may associate with acne—that’s a papule.
• Pustules: Papules often turn into pustules. When the red papule forms a white, pus-filled head, you now have a tender pustule. 
• Cysts: Cystic acne is characterized by inflamed lesions, often large in size, that form deep within the skin—but unlike other forms of acne, they never come to a head on the surface. 
• Nodules:Nodules are firmer than cysts and are also more widespread than typical pimples. They look like hard lesions that feel like lumps under the skin; and while they may be flesh-toned or red, they’re often pretty painful to the touch. 

1. Popping pimples. As tempting as it can be to poke and prod at a zit, do not (we repeat: Do not) try to pop a pimple, no matter how “ready” it may seem. Messing with the mound can only lead to more inflammation and potential scarring. 
2. Ignoring hydration. Many with acne-prone skin often avoid moisturizers and oils in fear of clogging their pores. It’s a valid concern, but completely stripping the skin is a recipe for increased oil production—which can lead to even more acne. 
3. Avoiding sunscreen. Similarly, many people complain that SPF causes them to break out and look more oily, so they avoid sun protection altogether. Bad idea. While breakouts may be your main concern, you do also need to protect your skin from sun damage. Better yet, you can find plenty of lightweight, noncomedogenic formulas. 
4. Ignoring your diet & lifestyle. Your skin is a reflection of your internal health, and your diet, stress levels, and sleep (or lack thereof) can all affect your body’s inflammatory response, and inflammation is the foundation for acne. 
5. Spot-treating only. Spot treatments are great for sudden zits, but rather than addressing pimples whenever they arise, derms recommend preventative methods to keep breakouts from cropping up in the first place. Seems more efficient, don’t you think? 
6. Looking for a quick fix. At the end of the day, no magic fix will erase your acne overnight. Be patient—clearing up your skin takes time. 

The more you get to know your breakouts, the better you can tackle them before they arrive. Although, a host of internal triggers can cause an acne flare, like stress, diet, hormones, seasonal changes, and lack of sleep—we have a guide to help you along the way, but you may want to enlist the help of a professional to get to the root of the issue (more on that later). 

Additionally, some comedogenic (or pore-clogging) ingredients can cause breakouts, whether in skin care or makeup formulas. While there’s no set definition of this term, it’s important to keep an eye on the products you’re introducing to your routine and make sure you don’t face a reaction. “Even if two people are predisposed to acne, what is noncomedogenic to one person might be so for another,” board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., once shared with mbg. 

When it comes to treating acne, AHAs and BHAs are star players. The latter are especially beloved for breakouts, since BHAs are oil soluble, meaning they can penetrate deep into pores and unclog them at the source. Of the BHAs, salicylic is perhaps the most popular: “It is able to penetrate the skin deeper into pores to help remove dead skin cells, fight bacteria, and control excess sebum,” Gabriel says about the exfoliant. Salicylic acid is also found to be antibacterial, making it particularly effective for acne-prone individuals. 

AHAs, on the other hand, are frequently touted for textural and tonal concerns, like acne scars, dead skin, and fine lines. They’re also hydrophilic, meaning water-loving, which makes them simultaneously exfoliating and moisturizing (and perhaps a gentler option for more sensitive skin types). 

For acne in particular, glycolic and mandelic acids are your winners: Research has shown that glycolic acid is superior in reducing the appearance of acne scars, and mandelic acid has the ability to penetrate deeper into pores, similar to that of a BHA. “[It] has even been shown to reduce [excess] sebum production and oily shine,” board-certified dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, M.D., founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care, says about the ingredient. 

Acne-prone skin can also run dry—in fact, a lack of hydration can even cause breakouts to appear in the first place. See, when your skin is dehydrated, inflammation tends to follow. That inflammation “can release CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), a hormone that can actually tell your sebaceous glands to produce more oil,” celebrity esthetician Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily, previously shared with mbg. CRH can also kick-start what’s known as retention hyperkeratosis—where dead skin cells become cohesive and don’t shed as normal (almost like they’re “stuck” to your face). When dead skin cells and oil become trapped within your pores, breakouts aren’t too far behind. 

That being said, focusing on hydration is just as important as spot treatments and exfoliating formulas—and your acne treatments should always come buffered with moisturizing players. 

Retinol is ideal for acne-prone skin, beloved by derms for encouraging cell turnover, promoting collagen production, and treating acne. Specifically, the vitamin A derivative interacts with the skin cell’s receptors and beneficially alters the genes involved with inflammation and cell growth. This reduces the formation of microcomedones, or skin pores clogged with sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Plus, retinol exfoliates within the pores, “where slowed dead cell shedding leads to enlarged pore appearance and breakouts,” board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, previously told mbg.

Now, retinol comes in many forms: You can find both OTC and prescription-strength options with varying concentrations, or you could opt for a retinol-alternative if your skin runs especially sensitive. You can find product suggestions for all of the above right here. 

The way you think and talk about your skin can influence its appearance over time—yes, really. See, if you berate your skin for its “imperfections,” you’ll likely treat it in a harsher manner and ultimately do more harm than good. If you view your skin like the dynamic, functional organ that it is, you might see a budding breakout as a sign you should take a longer look at your daily habits and lifestyle, which often yields gentler, more effective results. 

Take it from holistic esthetician Hayley Wood: “Whenever I have a great skin success story, I find that one of the biggest hurdles that they finally get over is just the way they speak about themselves, their skin, and the skin care experience as a whole,” she says on an episode of Clean Beauty School. “Once people actually understand what’s happening with their skin, they get the right language to talk about it, then choices are made differently.” 

That’s not to say you must love everything about your skin every single day. You’re allowed to feel frustrated with your breakouts, but try to express gratitude for what you can. For example, “I’m grateful my skin protects me from pollutants,” or “I’m grateful my skin’s acid mantle locks in moisture.” 

1. Keep a skin care journal: To keep track of your personal triggers, take note whenever you experience a breakout and write down what your skin looks like with each passing day. Depending on how often they appear, you might discover a few patterns. 
2. Get an acne facial: Also called a “decongesting facial” or “deep cleaning” facial, this treatment deeply purifies the skin and often includes rounds of extractions, peels, and LED light therapy. 
3. Chill your tools: To deflate a swollen, inflamed pimple, try pressing the spot with a chilled facial roller or straight-up ice cube wrapped in a tissue. The cool temperature will constrict the circulation, limiting flow to the area and retracting the inflammation. Plus, it feels quite nice on an angry zit.