Acne can be frustrating — especially if you’re not sure how to treat it. And with so many different products available to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. Should you choose a product that can help clear blocked pores? Or do you need a prescription medication that can fight bacteria or reduce inflammation?
As a first step, it can be helpful to know what type of acne you’re dealing with. Dermatologists often group acne into three categories: comedonal, inflammatory, and nodulocystic. However, most people have a combination of types. Knowing what type of acne you have can help you take better care of your skin and get your breakouts under control.
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Written by:
Sarah Gupta, MDSarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Edited by:
Sophie Vergnaud, MDSophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.
Reviewed by:
Maria Robinson, MD, MBAMaria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.
