Acne and Breakouts

SKIN CONCERN

Acne and Breakouts

Acne can appear as congestion, occasional inflamed breakouts, persistent acne or deeper painful lesions. Identifying the pattern and severity matters because a treatment that helps surface congestion may not be appropriate for persistent or scarring acne.

Find My Acne Pathway

Take the Treatment Quiz

What best describes your breakouts?

Choose the pattern that most closely resembles your concern. Acne can change over time, and professional or medical assessment may be important when it is persistent, painful, worsening or beginning to scar.

CONGESTION, BLACKHEADS OR WHITEHEADS

Blocked pores, small bumps, blackheads or whiteheads with little active inflammation.

View recommended approaches →

OCCASIONAL INFLAMED BREAKOUTS

A smaller number of red or inflamed pimples that appear intermittently.

View recommended approaches →

PERSISTENT OR RECURRING ACNE

Breakouts that remain present, repeatedly return or have not improved with basic skin care.

View recommended approaches →

DEEP OR PAINFUL BREAKOUTS

Larger, tender or deeper lesions, nodules or cyst-like breakouts that may increase the risk of scarring.

View recommended approaches →

ADULT OR CYCLICAL BREAKOUTS

Breakouts that began or continued into adulthood, often recurring around the lower face, chin or jawline or following a cyclical pattern.

View recommended approaches →

I’M NOT SURE

Different acne patterns can occur together, and the severity may not always be easy to judge.

View recommended approaches →

Why the acne pattern and severity matter

Surface congestion, occasional inflamed breakouts and deep persistent acne are not interchangeable concerns. Procedures may support selected acne pathways, but persistent, painful or scarring acne may require medical treatment rather than cosmetic treatment alone.

Treating active acne early may also help reduce the risk of ongoing marks and permanent scarring.

Treatment approaches by acne pattern

These are general educational pathways. The most appropriate approach depends on the type and severity of the breakouts, skin characteristics, treatment history, scarring risk and possible underlying factors.

STARTING TREATMENT

Congestion, Blackheads or Whiteheads

Blocked pores, small bumps, blackheads or whiteheads with little active inflammation.

START HERE

Evidence-based topical acne care

Gentle, non-comedogenic skin and barrier support

CONSIDER NEXT

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Professional extractions

Other approaches that may be considered.

Hydrodermabrasion

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Congestion is caused by blocked pores rather than deeper inflammation alone. Professional treatments may help clear surface congestion, but an ongoing topical acne plan is usually important for reducing recurrence.

STARTING TREATMENT

Congestion, Blackheads or Whiteheads

Blocked pores, small bumps, blackheads or whiteheads with little active inflammation.

START HERE

Evidence-based topical acne care

Gentle, non-comedogenic skin and barrier support

CONSIDER NEXT

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Professional extractions

Other approaches that may be considered.

Hydrodermabrasion

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

STARTING TREATMENT

Congestion, Blackheads or Whiteheads

Blocked pores, small bumps, blackheads or whiteheads with little active inflammation.

START HERE

Evidence-based topical acne care

Gentle, non-comedogenic skin and barrier support

CONSIDER NEXT

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Professional extractions

Other approaches that may be considered.

Hydrodermabrasion

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

CONSIDER NEXT

Ongoing maintenance treatment

When it may fit: Other approaches that may be considered.

STARTING TREATMENT

Occasional Inflamed Breakouts

A smaller number of red or inflamed pimples that appear intermittently.

START HERE

Evidence-based topical acne care

Identify and reduce aggravating skin or product factors

CONSIDER NEXT

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected LED or light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

Professional acne treatments

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Occasional mild breakouts may respond to a consistent topical plan. Supportive clinic treatments can be considered, but repeated inflammation may require professional assessment.

STARTING TREATMENT

Occasional Inflamed Breakouts

A smaller number of red or inflamed pimples that appear intermittently.

START HERE

Evidence-based topical acne care

Identify and reduce aggravating skin or product factors

CONSIDER NEXT

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected LED or light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

Professional acne treatments

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Occasional mild breakouts may respond to a consistent topical plan. Supportive clinic treatments can be considered, but repeated inflammation may require professional assessment.

STARTING TREATMENT

Occasional Inflamed Breakouts

A smaller number of red or inflamed pimples that appear intermittently.

START HERE

Evidence-based topical acne care

Identify and reduce aggravating skin or product factors

CONSIDER NEXT

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected LED or light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

Professional acne treatments

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Occasional mild breakouts may respond to a consistent topical plan. Supportive clinic treatments can be considered, but repeated inflammation may require professional assessment.

CONSIDER NEXT

Combination treatment

When it may fit: Other approaches that may be considered.

STARTING TREATMENT

Persistent or Recurring Acne

Breakouts that remain present, repeatedly return or have not improved with basic skin care.

START HERE

Professional or medical acne assessment

Prescription or evidence-based topical treatment where appropriate

CONSIDER NEXT

Medical acne treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

Superficial chemical peels once suitable

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Persistent acne should not be managed with repeated cosmetic treatments alone. A structured acne-management plan may be needed to control new breakouts and reduce the risk of ongoing marks or scarring.

STARTING TREATMENT

Persistent or Recurring Acne

Breakouts that remain present, repeatedly return or have not improved with basic skin care.

START HERE

Professional or medical acne assessment

Prescription or evidence-based topical treatment where appropriate

CONSIDER NEXT

Medical acne treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

Superficial chemical peels once suitable

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

STARTING TREATMENT

Persistent or Recurring Acne

Breakouts that remain present, repeatedly return or have not improved with basic skin care.

START HERE

Professional or medical acne assessment

Prescription or evidence-based topical treatment where appropriate

CONSIDER NEXT

Medical acne treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

Superficial chemical peels once suitable

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

CONSIDER NEXT

Supportive clinic treatments alongside the primary acne plan

When it may fit: Other approaches that may be considered.

STARTING TREATMENT

Deep or Painful Breakouts

Larger, tender or deeper lesions, nodules or cyst-like breakouts that may increase the risk of scarring.

START HERE

Medical assessment

Medical acne treatment appropriate to the severity

CONSIDER NEXT

Supportive skin and barrier care

Other approaches that may be considered.

Treatment of remaining redness, pigmentation or scarring after active acne is controlled

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Deep, painful, nodular or cyst-like breakouts have a higher risk of permanent scarring. Cosmetic procedures should not delay appropriate medical assessment and treatment.

STARTING TREATMENT

Deep or Painful Breakouts

Larger, tender or deeper lesions, nodules or cyst-like breakouts that may increase the risk of scarring.

START HERE

Medical assessment

Medical acne treatment appropriate to the severity

CONSIDER NEXT

Supportive skin and barrier care

Other approaches that may be considered.

Treatment of remaining redness, pigmentation or scarring after active acne is controlled

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Deep, painful, nodular or cyst-like breakouts have a higher risk of permanent scarring. Cosmetic procedures should not delay appropriate medical assessment and treatment.

STARTING TREATMENT

Deep or Painful Breakouts

Larger, tender or deeper lesions, nodules or cyst-like breakouts that may increase the risk of scarring.

START HERE

Medical assessment

Medical acne treatment appropriate to the severity

CONSIDER NEXT

Supportive skin and barrier care

Other approaches that may be considered.

Treatment of remaining redness, pigmentation or scarring after active acne is controlled

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Deep, painful, nodular or cyst-like breakouts have a higher risk of permanent scarring. Cosmetic procedures should not delay appropriate medical assessment and treatment.

STARTING TREATMENT

Adult or Cyclical Breakouts

Breakouts that began or continued into adulthood, often recurring around the lower face, chin or jawline or following a cyclical pattern.

START HERE

Professional or medical assessment

Evidence-based topical or medical acne management

CONSIDER NEXT

Investigation of possible contributing factors when appropriate

Other approaches that may be considered.

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

Adult or cyclical breakouts may be influenced by several factors. Treating the visible breakout alone may not be enough when acne is persistent, sudden in onset or repeatedly follows the same pattern.

STARTING TREATMENT

Adult or Cyclical Breakouts

Breakouts that began or continued into adulthood, often recurring around the lower face, chin or jawline or following a cyclical pattern.

START HERE

Professional or medical assessment

Evidence-based topical or medical acne management

CONSIDER NEXT

Investigation of possible contributing factors when appropriate

Other approaches that may be considered.

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

STARTING TREATMENT

Adult or Cyclical Breakouts

Breakouts that began or continued into adulthood, often recurring around the lower face, chin or jawline or following a cyclical pattern.

START HERE

Professional or medical assessment

Evidence-based topical or medical acne management

CONSIDER NEXT

Investigation of possible contributing factors when appropriate

Other approaches that may be considered.

Superficial chemical peels

Other approaches that may be considered.

Selected light-based treatment

Other approaches that may be considered.

WHY THIS ORDER

CONSIDER NEXT

Supportive clinic treatments

When it may fit: Other approaches that may be considered.

Active acne, post-breakout marks and acne scars are different concerns

Once a breakout settles, it may leave a flat red mark, a flat brown mark or a change in skin texture. These concerns require different treatment pathways and should not automatically be treated as active acne.

RED OR PINK MARKS

May suit vascular or redness-focused treatment approaches.

BROWN OR GREY MARKS

May suit pigmentation-focused treatment approaches.

TEXTURAL ACNE SCARS

May require scar-specific remodelling, resurfacing or combination treatment.

A treatment for congestion is not equivalent to treatment for persistent acne

A peel, facial or light-based treatment may support selected acne concerns, but these treatments do not necessarily replace a structured topical or medical acne plan. The appropriate starting point depends on inflammation, severity, persistence and scarring risk.

Treat the Concern, Not the Device.

Not sure which acne pattern sounds like yours?

Answer a few questions about your breakouts, skin and treatment preferences to explore the treatment categories commonly considered.

Build My Treatment Map

Explore Other Concerns