Acne, sometimes called acne vulgaris, is a common skin condition. It causes spots and often oily skin. You can have acne anywhere, but it’s most likely to appear on your face, back and chest.

Acne can be mild, moderate or severe and you don’t always need treatment. But if your acne is more severe or inflamed, or it’s affecting your life, you should see a GP or pharmacist. There are treatments that can help.

There are six main types of acne spots, which are also called acne lesions. If you have acne, you might be affected by one or more of them.

• Papules are small red bumps on the skin. They might feel sore to touch.
• Pustules are like papules, but they have a white pus-filled bump in the centre.
• Blackheads are small black or yellowish bumps on the skin. Their colour comes from the open hair follicle in the skin. They are usually mild and do not often cause discomfort.
• Whiteheads are like blackheads, except the hair follicle is closed and they feel firmer. They’re also mild and do not usually cause any discomfort.
• Nodules are hard lumps that develop deep under the surface of the skin. They can be skin coloured, or red if they’re inflamed.
• Cysts are fluid filled lumps under the skin, which are usually painful. They are caused by inflammation and can lead to scarring if they’re not treated properly.¹

There are a few different things that can cause acne in adults. The hair follicles on your skin can become inflamed, which may lead to acne lesions. Bacteria spreading through your hair follicles contributes to acne too. The hormone testosterone can cause your body to make extra sebum, which is the oil on your skin. This can also cause acne to develop.²

Since acne is linked to hormonal changes, it’s more common among teenagers and young adults. It is also why acne is more likely to affect women during their periods or pregnancy. It can also happen if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).³

If you’re a teenager concerned about acne, read our information about acne in young people.

There are a range of treatments for acne. The right one for you will depend on your symptoms and how severe they are. Talk to your GP for more information.

Topical treatments like creams and gels are often used for acne. Some topical treatments for acne include benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, retinoids like adapalene and topical antibiotics like erythromycin. Topical treatments for acne often combine ingredients. Some treatments used to treat severe acne contain both adapalene and benzoyl peroxide.

For inflamed acne, sometimes oral antibiotics are used for short amounts of time. The oral antibiotics used for acne are usually doxycycline and lymecycline. These are often very effective, but they’re usually only used when topical treatments haven’t fully worked for you.

If you have hormonal acne, sometimes the combined contraceptive pill can help. Co-cyprindiol is licensed to treat severe hormonal acne in the UK.⁴

Not everyone feels they need treatment for their acne. If your acne is mild and doesn’t interfere with your life, you may not need to take medication for it.

If your acne is more severe, inflamed or infected, you may need treatment as it may be swollen and painful.

All medications come with a risk of side effects, but not everyone will experience them. The main side effects of topical treatments are irritation on the skin, such as stinging when you apply them.

Oral antibiotics can sometimes cause issues like nausea (feeling sick) and headaches. The combined pill can sometimes lead to issues like bleeding between your periods or sore breasts. Talk to your GP or pharmacist to find the right treatment for you, or if you’re experiencing any side effects from your medicine.

If you have acne, there are a variety of approaches you can try to improve your symptoms:

• Remove your makeup completely before you go to bed as it can clog your pores
• Change your pillowcases regularly and try to avoid touching your face or letting your hair fall into your face
• Try to avoid washing your face too regularly or using products with harsh ingredients.¹

Some people find that diet changes can have help improve their acne. High glycaemic index foods, such as sugary foods, white bread and rice, can aggravate acne for some people. Dairy products like milk can also increase acne for some people.⁵ Keeping a food diary can help you see if your diet is triggering acne symptoms.

Acne can be painful and difficult to deal with, which is why it can be important to find the right treatment. Living with acne can also affect your confidence and relationships with others.

If dealing with acne is affecting your mood or self-esteem, remember there are people who can help you. Your GP may refer you to a dermatologist, a health professional who specialises in skin health, or a counsellor who is trained to listen.