Acne

Common signs

These descriptions can help you understand and record what you notice. They cannot establish a diagnosis on their own.

• Pimples on face +

  Recurring comedones, red bumps, or pus-filled spots on the face. Note where they cluster, how often they flare, and whether they track with sleep, diet, or your cycle; widespread or painful breakouts deserve a medical evaluation.

• Oily skin +

  Skin that looks shiny and feels greasy, often with enlarged pores. If oiliness ramps up alongside more breakouts, look back at recent changes in routine and diet.

• Blackheads +

  Small dark dots in the pores, usually on the nose and forehead, caused by oxidized sebum. If they keep coming back despite gentle cleansing, avoid aggressive squeezing, which can inflame the skin.

• Red inflammation +

  Pimples that are red, swollen, and tender signal active inflammation. Large, painful, or pus-filled lesions should be evaluated by a doctor rather than picked at.

• Scars +

  Marks left after pimples heal, from flat red or dark spots to pitted indentations. Flat spots usually fade over time; lasting marks or pitted scars are worth discussing with a dermatologist.