Types of Acne

Acne Face Mapping: Does Where You Break Out Tell You Why?

PCOS and Acne in Teens: When Breakouts Signal Something Bigger

If your acne won't respond to normal treatments and comes with irregular periods, it might be PCOS. Here's what teen girls and their parents need to know about diagnosis and treatment.

Testosterone and Acne: Why Hormones Drive Most Teen Breakouts

Testosterone gets converted to DHT, which ramps up your oil glands. This is the core reason acne peaks during puberty and why boys tend to get it worse than girls.

Inflammatory Acne: Papules, Pustules, and Why Your Skin Hurts

Inflammatory acne is the red, painful kind that actually hurts. Understanding the immune response behind it changes how you treat it and helps you stop making it worse.

Comedonal Acne: Why Your Skin Is Bumpy But Not Red (And How to Fix It)

Comedonal acne gives you textured, bumpy skin without the redness of typical pimples. It's frustrating because it doesn't respond to the usual treatments. Here's what actually works.

Acne Scars vs. Acne Marks: The Difference Matters for Treatment

Most teens say 'scars' when they mean 'marks,' and the treatments are completely different. Marks are flat and fade on their own. Scars change the texture of your skin and usually need professional help. Here's how to tell which you have.

Whiteheads (Closed Comedones): What They Are, Why They Form, and How to Get Rid of Them

Those small, flesh-colored bumps that won't pop? They're closed comedones — and they require a completely different approach than regular pimples. Here's what dermatologists recommend.

Blackheads (Open Comedones): Why They're Dark, How to Remove Them Safely, and What Actually Prevents Them

Blackheads aren't caused by dirt — they're oxidized oil plugs in open pores. Here's the science behind why they form and the dermatologist-approved ways to actually get rid of them.

Papules: Understanding Small Red Acne Bumps and How to Treat Them

Those small, red, tender bumps without a visible head? They're papules — a sign your acne has become inflammatory. Here's what's happening beneath the surface and what to do about it.

Pustules: The Classic Pimple — What's Inside, Should You Pop It, and How to Treat It

Pustules are what most people picture when they think 'pimple' — red bumps with a white or yellow center. Here's what's actually inside them, whether popping is ever okay, and what dermatologists recommend.

Nodular Acne: Understanding Deep, Painful Acne Bumps and Why They Need Professional Treatment

Hard, painful lumps deep under the skin that won't come to a head? That's nodular acne — a severe form that requires medical treatment. Here's what causes it and what actually works.

Cystic Acne: The Most Severe Form of Acne — Causes, Treatment, and What to Expect

Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne — large, painful, fluid-filled lesions deep under the skin. Here's what causes it, why it's so hard to treat, and what actually works.

Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis): Why Your 'Acne' Might Not Be Acne at All

If your acne isn't responding to any treatment, it might not be acne. Fungal acne is caused by yeast overgrowth, not bacteria — and it requires a completely different treatment approach.

Hormonal Acne Patterns: How to Identify Hormone-Driven Breakouts by Location and Timing

Where your acne appears on your face can reveal what's causing it. Learn to read your breakout patterns — jawline, chin, cheeks — and understand what your hormones are telling you.

Acne Mechanica: How Helmets, Masks, Backpacks, and Sports Gear Cause Breakouts

If your breakouts appear exactly where your helmet, mask, chin strap, or backpack touches your skin, you might have acne mechanica — friction-induced acne that requires specific prevention strategies.

Body Acne vs. Facial Acne: Key Differences in Causes, Treatment, and What Works Where

The acne on your chest, shoulders, and back isn't the same as the acne on your face — and it shouldn't be treated the same way. Here's what makes body acne different and how to approach it.