Last updated May 29, 2025
As a teen I struggled with acne and was counting down the days to when I entered adulthood and all my acne nightmares would be behind me.
Suddenly, I’m 30 years old and, to my surprise, my acne is still haunting me!
Evidently, I am one of the unlucky ones that will continue to get acne through adulthood. However, the type of acne I struggle with has changed over time.
Wait a minute—”types of acne”? Isn’t acne all the same?
Well I can tell you, they are not all the same, and I would give my left pinky to go back to the so called “acne” I had as a teen compared to what I struggle with now!
Since this skin condition is sticking around, I decided to do some research. What exactly is acne?
Well, acne occurs when a hair follicle gets clogged with dead skin cells, oil and bacteria but the different types of acne are not created equal. There are types worse than others and require the attention of a dermatologist.
What are the 3 types of acne?
There are three main types of acne, generally speaking. Most people experience at least one or two of them in their teenage years. For others with cystic acne, the cause can be hormonal and can occur later in life, depending on genetics.
Let’s take a look:
1. Whiteheads and Blackheads
Whiteheads and blackheads are by far the most common type of acne. Whiteheads are clogged pores that close up and form a small white blemish. Blackheads occur when a pore stays open and appears black because of dirt or dead skin cells trapped in the pore.
In both types of acne, pores become clogged from dead skin cells, oils, and bacteria.
How to treat whiteheads and blackheads:
Exfoliate! You can use over-the-counter products containing salasylic acid or talk to your dermatologist about a prescription treatment to help with skin turnover.
2. Papules and Pustules
Papules are clogged pores that have become inflamed and have redness and swelling. Pustules are when whitish/yellowish pus forms in the clogged pore.
How to treat papules and pustules:
Wash face regularly and try over-the counter products such as benzoyl peroxide and products containing tea tree oil. There are also many prescription treatments your dermatologist can help recommend or prescribe.
3. Nodules and Cysts
Nodules and cysts hurt! Nodules are large, hard, and go deep into your skin. Cysts also form deep within the skin, but contain pus. They can be softer than nodules, but also cause scarring if not properly cared for.
How to treat cystic acne and nodules:
Cysts and nodules need expert medical treatment right away. No over-the-counter medication will be able to help, and they can potentially lead to serious infection if left untreated. See a dermatologist for the best help to prevent scarring.
How Do I Prevent Acne?
As far as acne prevention, it comes down to understanding the root cause of your skin condition. Is it due to hormonal changes, using greasy make-up, taking certain medications—or is it hereditary?
Your dermatologist can help you determine the WHY behind your acne and recommend a treatment.
That being said, until you figure out the root of the problem with your dermatology expert, here are some basic things you can do to try to help prevent the different types of acne:
1. Keep your face clean
One of the most important things to remember about acne is that it’s usually caused by bacteria. Don’t touch your face! Wash your face with gentle soap or facial cleanser recommended to you by a dermatology expert.
Counterintuitively, you’ll also want to be careful not to clean too much. The wrong kind of soap or too much scrubbing can dry out your skin and destroy the protective outer layers of skin along with the “good bacteria”, allowing harmful, acne-causing bacteria to settle in.
Additionally, don’t pop pimples! For one thing, touching it or forcefully popping it can spread bacteria all over your face, potentially creating new pimples elsewhere. Plus, it will usually create a pockmark or scar.
2. Pay attention to the type of make-up you use.
If you wear makeup regularly, make sure it’s not causing problems for your skin. Look for the word non-comedogenic on the label—this means it won’t clog pores.
3. Keep your hair clean!
If you have long hair, make sure you keep it clean. Be sure to shampoo your hair and try to keep your hair away from your face—especially if you use hair products! Shampoos and hair products can be oily or harsh on your skin, causing it to be too dry or too oily. It’s really all about balance!
4. Examine your diet.
A poor diet can also cause or contribute to acne. For one thing, our diet can affect our hormone levels. Cheeses, milk, and fried foods heavy with saturated fats can affect our hormones and make our skin oily. Sugar or too much coffee can also contribute to oily skin and/or bacteria growth.
Be sure to include lots of antioxidant foods, fruits, and vegetables in your diet for your skin’s health. Vitamin D and adequate sunshine are also important for overall skin health—just don’t forget to use sunscreen when necessary!
When in doubt, contact a dermatology expert.
Lots of acne prevention comes down to basic hygiene and/or diet. However, if you try at-home options and are unsuccessful at fighting your acne, call your dermatologist in Asheville, NC.
We have many resources to offer that cannot be found at your local drug store—options such as a retinoid cream to help with exfoliation and skin cell turnover, recommendations to help get your hormones under control and even procedures like lasers, peels and light therapy that can reach a little deeper.
Trust me, it will save you a lot of frustration and tears if you are stressing about your acne.
Looking for an Asheville dermatology office? DermaBlue is here to help! Contact us today to schedule an appointment or give us a call at 828.585.5489.
