You may hear the term “breakout” used to describe all forms of acne, but this isn’t always an accurate description. Not all types of acne spread across the skin.
Clogged pores cause acne itself. These may be attributed to:
  • excess production of oil (sebum)
  • bacteria
  • hormones
  • dead skin cells
  • ingrown hairs
Acne is usually associated with hormonal fluctuations experienced during your teenage years, but adults can experience acne, too. About 17 million Americans have acne, making it one of the most common skin conditions among both children and adults.
Identifying which type of acne you’re experiencing is key to successful treatment. Acne may be noninflammatory or inflammatory. Subtypes of acne within these two categories include:
  • blackheads
  • whiteheads
  • papules
  • pustules
  • nodules
  • cysts
It’s possible to have multiple types of acne at once — some cases may even be severe enough to warrant a visit to the dermatologist.
Read on to learn more about the subtypes of acne and how you can treat them.

Types of Acne

Noninflammatory acne includes blackheads and whiteheads. These normally don’t cause swelling. They also respond relatively well to over-the-counter (OTC) treatments.
Salicylic acid is often marketed for acne in general, but it usually works best on noninflammatory acne. It naturally exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells that can lead to blackheads and whiteheads. Look for it in cleansers, toners, and moisturizers.
Shop for products containing salicylic acid.

Blackheads (open comedones)

Blackheads occur when a pore is clogged by a combination of sebum and dead skin cells. The top of the pore stays open, despite the rest of it being clogged. This results in the characteristic black color seen on the surface.

Whiteheads (closed comedones)

Whiteheads can also form when a pore gets clogged by sebum and dead skin cells. But unlike with blackheads, the top of the pore closes up. It looks like a small bump protruding from the skin.
Whiteheads are more difficult to treat because the pores are already closed. Products containing salicylic acid can be helpful. Topical retinoids give the best results for comedonal acne. Currently, adapalene (Differin) is available over the counter as a retinoid. If it does not work for you, stronger topical retinoids are available by prescription from your dermatologist.