What Kind Of Acne Do I have?

Acne comes in many forms, knowing which kind you have can help you clear it faster and minimise damage to your skin, for example if you see redness then that is a sign of inflammation or possible infection.

Knowing what kind of breakout it is will help you choose the right product or treatment so you can get rid of it faster without compromising your skin's health.

Here is our handy guide to common forms of acne – and how to treat them!

BLACKHEADS

Appearance Dark, small and common in the T-zone.

How to Treat Them

Apply a mask or scrub that contains ingredients like Kaolin Clay, Sulfur and Activated Binchotan Charcoal like Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Fizz Mask. Or get a professional extraction.

WHITEHEADS

Appearance Small, white/yellow bumps with no redness.

How to Treat Them

Use a scrub or leave-on exfoliant that contains ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil and Niacinamide. We recommend Dermalogica Clear Start Flashfoliant.

MILIA

Appearance Hard, small, white bumps. Often mistaken for whiteheads.

How to Treat Them

Use a leave-on exfoliant like Dermalogica Clear Start Flashfoliant that contains Cyclical Acid. Or get a professional to lance it (see a dermatologist).

PAPAULES

Appearance Pink or red, without pus or a visible opening, aka "not ready yet!"

How to Treat Them

Use a leave-on booster or serum that contains ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, and Thymol with Terpineol. Or see a professional skin therapist or dermatologist for best results. We recommend Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Booster

PUSTULES

Appearance Pink or red bumps, swollen with pus and white/yellow tops. Often mistaken for whiteheads.

How to Treat Them

Use a leave-on booster or serum like Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Booster, that contains ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, and Thymol with Terpineol. Or see a professional skin therapist or dermatologist for best results.

NODULES

Appearance Bumpy, swollen red areas that contain clustered papules and pustules.

How to Treat Them

See a professional skin therapist or dermatologist for best results.

CYSTS

Appearance Large, widespread bumps or areas that contain no visible pus. Often singular (not clustered).

How to Treat Them

See a professional skin therapist or dermatologist for best results.

In general, blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules are treatable with adjustments to your skin care routine and lifestyle. If you need help, please complete our skin analysis for complimentary guidance. If your acne is inflamed (aka red and painful), consider supplementing your efforts with medical advice from a doctor.