Acne Basics

What acne is, the kinds of spots, and why it appears where it does.

Start here if you want to know what is actually happening in the skin. These articles explain how pores block, why some spots stay small and others turn deep and sore, and why acne favors the face, chest and back.

Articles marked “Being rewritten” do not yet list their sources; the others name every source they rely on.

• Acne or something else? Six bumpy skin conditions comparedWell established
• Blackheads vs whiteheads: what is the difference?Well established
• Comedonal vs inflammatory acne: what is the difference?Well established
• What causes acne? How a spot forms, step by stepWell established
• Why do people get acne in adulthood?Well established
• Does Acne Run in Families? What the Genetics ShowBeing rewritten
• Is Oily Skin the Same as Acne-Prone Skin?Being rewritten
• What Is Acne Mechanica and What Causes It?Being rewritten
• Why Does Acne Appear on Some Parts of the Face?Being rewritten
• Why Does Acne Show Up on the Chest and Back, Too?Being rewritten