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ACNE 101 - Different Types of Acne & How to Treat Them
Did you know that not all pimples are created equal? If you’ve ever wondered, “What causes acne?” or struggled to identify which type you’re dealing with, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll break down the common types of acne explained in simple terms, help you with identifying your acne type, and guide you through the best ingredients to look for when choosing your skincare. By the end, you’ll be equipped to create a personalized skincare routine for acne that actually works.
8 Minutes read
Posted on
9 Jun 2025
What Causes Acne?
We often think of acne as a condition that affects teenagers, but it can also concern adults too.
A range of factors trigger acne, but the main cause is thought to be hormonal, especially during puberty, menstrual cycles, or stressful periods. These hormonal shifts stimulate your skin’s oil glands, prompting them to produce excess sebum. When this oil mixes with dead skin cells and gets trapped in your pores, it creates the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
Sometimes acne can also be caused by medication and genetics. Even lifestyle factors like diet, sleep patterns, and exposure to environmental pollutants can tip the scales. Surprisingly, everyday habits like touching your face or using harsh skincare products can disrupt your skin’s delicate balance, making it even more vulnerable to flare-ups and necessitating specialist body care for oily skin.
Types of Acne
Acne vulgaris is the medical name for common acne -- the presence of blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of pimples on the skin.
Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes spots and pimples, especially on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest, and upper arms.
Although mild to moderate acne can improve with advanced skincare, more severe forms should be treated by a dermatologist.
Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts, and nodules are all types of acne.
A comedo is a hair follicle that has become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Comedones (the plural of comedo) can develop into bumps called whiteheads and blackheads. Products that may cause comedones are called "comedogenic." Makeup or skincare labelled "noncomedogenic" is less likely to clog pores and contribute to acne.
Blackheads are comedones that are open at the surface of the skin. They are filled with excess oil and dead skin cells. It's not dirt that causes the comedone to turn black, it's the reflection of light coming from clogged hair follicles.
Comedones that stay closed at the surface of the skin are called whiteheads. This arises when oil and skin cells prevent a clogged hair follicle from opening.
Both Blackheads & whiteheads can be treated and prevented when using exfoliating products frequently like AHA's & BHA's.
Papules are comedones that become inflamed, forming small red or pink bumps on the skin. Picking or squeezing can make the inflammation worse and may lead to scarring.
Nodules are large, inflamed bumps that feel firm to the touch. They develop deep within the skin and are often painful. Nodules should be treated by a dermatologist since they can scar with prescriptive medication.
Cysts are large, pus-filled lesions that look similar to boils. Like nodules, cysts can be painful and should be treated by a dermatologist since they also can scar.
People who develop nodules and cysts are usually considered to have a more severe form of acne and will require prescription medication to treat.
Identifying Your Acne Type
Understanding the nuances of your acne type is the first step toward effective treatment. Not all breakouts are created equal—blackheads and whiteheads (non-inflammatory acne) form when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, while papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts (inflammatory acne) signal deeper irritation and often require more targeted care. Examining the size, color, and pain level of your blemishes can help you differentiate between these types, allowing for a more customized skincare regimen.
Many people overlook the fact that adult acne often presents differently than teenage breakouts, frequently appearing along the jawline or chin due to hormonal fluctuations. Additionally, environmental factors, stress levels, and even your skincare products can influence whether you experience persistent blackheads or painful cystic lesions. By closely observing patterns in your skin’s behavior, you empower yourself to seek treatments that address the root cause—rather than just masking symptoms.
Ingredients to look for when choosing your skincare
Glycolic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Retinol
Niacinamide
With comedonal acne (blackheads & whiteheads), you need products to help control sebum, clear dead skin cells, and clogged pores.
Glycolic acid, azelaic acid, and salicylic acid are the most popular exfoliating ingredients to effectively remove dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores & blemishes. These ingredients can be found in cleansers, treatment products, masks, and even moisturises.
With papulopustular acne, you need products to help reduce inflammation, offering antibacterial and inflammatory benefits.
As well as exfoliating benefits Glycolic, azelaic & salicylic acid also offers anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties to help target blemishes.
Niacinamide can be helpful for papules and pustules type of acne, because of its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Retinol is another effective acne-fighting ingredient.
It works from the inside out, encouraging cell turnover in the lower layers of skin and reducing sebum production to stop breakouts from forming.
Skincare Routine for Acne
STEP 1 CLEANSE
All these popular Acne cleansers contain the number one blemish-fighting ingredient salicylic acid
STEP 2 - PREVENT
STEP 3 - TREAT
Click here for more of our Retinol Treatment products
STEP 4 MOISTURISE
Popular Acne Moisturisers
Click here to view all our moisturisers ideal for blemish-prone skin
STEP 5 - PROTECT
Populat Sunscreens for Blemish-prone skin
LED Light Therapy
Blue light therapy is the type of light therapy most commonly used to address acne breakouts.
The wavelength of blue light has an antimicrobial effect, making it effective at killing several types of bacteria that can collect in your pores and oil glands and cause breakouts. The treatment also has anti-inflammatory benefits, which decrease other symptoms of acne, such as redness.
Winner of Best Product For Acne Prone Skin - Marie Claire Awards 2022!
OMNILUX Clear has been developed from an FDA-cleared medical device that has been used by dermatologists worldwide for the successful treatment of acne. OMNILUX Clear uses light technology in the form of light emitting diodes to:
- Destroy the bacteria responsible for the inflammation
- Stimulate healthy tissue growth
Expert TIPS
- Inconsistent Use
Acne treatments are only effective if used once or twice a day, every day not a few times a week.
Remember, you can't cure acne - just control it.
- Everyone needs to use a moisturiser even if you have oily skin.
All cleansers even water, take out some level of moisture, and especially acne products can be very drying too. Using a moisturiser will replace this, protect your skin from increased irritation and infection and protect your skin barrier.
Go with a moisturiser that won't add oil or a greasy feel or go for a serum or lotion instead of a cream moisturiser.
- SPF is a must
Even if the weather is cloudy, the UV rays get through. This can result in changes in your skin colour and texture, wrinkles and fine lines appearing earlier, and an increased possibility of developing skin cancer. A sunburn can dry out pimples temporarily, but it can end up making you break out even more because your skin reacts to the drying effect of the sun by producing even more oil.
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen/daytime moisturiser every morning of at least at SPF30. choose one that says non-comedogenic on the bottle to ensure it doesn't block pores.
In summary, acne is a complex condition with multiple forms, each requiring a unique approach to management. Recognizing the specific type of acne you have allows for more targeted and effective treatment strategies. From advanced skincare solutions to prescription medications, there are numerous options available to address both mild and severe cases. Remember that patience and consistency are key when treating acne, as results may take time to become evident. If you’re struggling to control your breakouts, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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