The 6 Types of Acne & What to Do About Them

When it comes to getting rid of acne, it helps to know which type you have as there are different ways of tackling them.

In general, there are six types of acne and it's possible to have more than one type at any one time.

These six types fall under two main umbrellas - non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne.

Let’s take a closer look at them!

Non-Inflammatory Acne

No matter the type of acne you have, at the root of it is a clogged pore. This happens when dead skin cells and sebum build up inside a pore to form a blockage.

Non-inflammatory acne are as you might have guessed acne that's not red or inflamed. As such, they are also considered milder forms of acne.

make it relatable and simple - use everyday terms

1. Blackheads

As the name suggests, blackheads are easily identified by their black-colored tips. Also known as open comedones, these are clogged pores that have been exposed to the air.

The dark coloring isn’t a result of dirt, as some might think. It happens when the skin pigment melanin reacts with oxygen in the air. As such, while regularly cleansing your face is important, poor hygiene is not to blame for blackheads.

Blackheads (tip of the comedo is oxidized) - take forever to come out - sits there and lingers (nothing getting it out)

What to Do: Because blackheads are caused by clogged pores (as with all acne), the key is in flushing out the dead skin cells and blockages before acne forms.

As the acne treatment algorithm below shows, topical retinoids are dermatologists’ top choice when it comes to tackling comedonal acne. The second choice is AZA, a naturally occurring acid found in grains.

In a single bottle of Clear Out, you can find not one, but both of these highly effective ingredients. Packed with medical-grade retinol and AZA, Clear Out goes deep into your pores to perpetually flush out clogs and make skin less acne-prone. The formulation is also balanced with botanicals to be powerful yet gentle on sensitive skin.

2. Whiteheads

Whiteheads are small, white- or flesh-colored bumps covered by a thin layer of skin. They are also known as closed comedones.

Whiteheads (mild infection without inflammation)

What to Do: Similar to blackheads, whiteheads can benefit from daily use of Clear Out. However, whiteheads can be more difficult to address because the pores are closed. If needed, you can upgrade to Clear Out Extra Strength, which is 20% stronger than the original Clear Out.

The increased pore-purging power comes from the addition of salicylic acid. Another go-to choice for dermatologists when it comes to treating comedonal acne, it works by exfoliating skin and breaking down sebum.

Inflammatory Acne

When C. acnes bacteria, which feed on sebum, begin to flourish in clogged pores, the immune system senses an infection and sends blood to the tissues surrounding the pores. This results in inflammatory acne - which includes the characteristic red, swollen spots we commonly call pimples.

In general, anywhere in your body (muscles and liver), inflammation is a bad thing (i am in trouble, send blood here to this area) but with the skin - inflammation causes damage, premature aging, scarring, hyperpigmentation - Get rid of source of inflammation and inflammation - avoid inflammation as much as possible - Inflammation = bacterial infection - body would start to react to it and explode out all that issue

3. Papules

Papules are small, firm, red bumps without visible pus.

What to Do: On top of regular use of Clear Out to flush out clogged pores, inflamed acne also benefits from treatments that target the C. acnes bacteria. Stop Spot* is our new acne spot treatment gel that does just this. Powered by acne-fighting salicylic acid, licorice root, sulfur, glycolic acid, and farnesol, it is perfect for treating acne before the inflammation causes tissue damage and scarring.


Apply it onto any red, inflamed spots throughout the day and they’ll tamp down before you know it. It’s also good to use Stop Spot as soon as you feel a pimple brewing to prevent it from breaking through the skin surface.

4. Pustules

Similar to papules, pustules are also red, inflamed bumps. The difference is that pustules are filled with pus and have white- or yellow-colored centers.

small, fluid-filled

What to Do: Clear Out and Stop Spot work just as well for pustules and we recommend incorporating both into your skincare routine. Whatever you do, and as tempting as it may be, do not attempt to pop the pustules as it may cause scarring.


With both papules and pustules, once the acne has cleared, the inflammation may leave behind red marks caused by residual blood and dilated blood vessels. It normally takes 8 to 12 weeks for these blood vessels to shrink back to their original size. Lighten Up can help speed up this process as it quickly fades the appearance of red acne marks before they collect melanin and turn into stubborn dark marks.

5. Nodules

One of the more severe types of acne is nodules, which happens when clogged, swollen pores endure further irritation and infection. They occur as large and painful lumps that reside deep under the skin. They do not usually contain pus and are firm to the touch.

hard to get out, deep and stubborn, closed comedones

Nodule - mountain (hardened tissue lump deep in skin) vs cyst (a lot of nodules, bigger, olive/golf ball sized)

Dermatologists Acne Treatment Algorithm

6. Cysts

Cysts are also large, inflamed bumps that reside deep within the skin. However, they are filled with pus and more tender. They usually stem from a severe infection and are more likely to scar.

What to Do: With nodules and cysts, Clear Out and Clear Out Extra Strength can assist with clearing these deeper clogs. However, we recommend consulting a dermatologist, especially if the acne is persistent and more severe.


Still unsure about what type of acne you have or what to do?

We’re here to help! Get in touch with us via Messenger chat or Instagram DM (@clearlybasics), and let’s work out an acne care plan for you.

*Stop Spot is known as Calm Down outside the US. While the names are different, the formulation is exactly the same.

**Calm Down is only available as an add-on product. Shop it here with your Clearly favorites.

Disclaimer: This article should not be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical-related matters, please consult your dermatologist.

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Skin Type: Normal
Comments: Any ideas on how to get rid of brown skin damage
Skin defence

Marks of sun damage are still there they haven't faded much after using twice a day for 60 days. . I will continue until product is finished. I'm a bit disappointed

Skin Type: Combination

I am so happy that I stumbled upon clearly basics on instagram. I was skeptical at first but decided to give it a try and bought clear out clarifying lotion. It's been 2 months and my skin has improved a lot. I can see significant reduction in pores and acne.

Skin Type: Combination
Amazing

After years of medication and products, I decided to try clearly basics. In just 6 weeks my skin has calmed and I am now able to treat scarring.

So glad to have found these products!

Finding products that helped to control my acne without irritating my sensitive skin has always been a huge challenge. The clearly basics products have been my saviour, I can't recommend them enough ☺️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Excellent and actually works

I am so incredibly impressed with the TLC for pore minimising - it 💯 works and has transformed my skin.

I’m in my 50’s and always had hormonal flare ups with larger pores as I age - this is a game changer and have just reordered my 3rd bottle !

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Skin Type: Combination
The Best!!

So good been buying for a couple years. Just a shame they no longer ship to UK and I have to look for another product

not bad but I thought the formula has changed since what it was previously (i had it maybe 2 years ago) and I found it less effective now

Skin Type: Combination
This is the stuff.

So, long time sufferer of acne. Started when I was 12 and I'm 28 now still battling it. I've tried all kinds of different things to try and get it under control and besides birth control, nothing has helped long term. I never want to take birth control ever again and I just happened upon this brand and decided well, why not try? To my amazement, it has helped more than anything else I've tried, I'd say it has improved my skin to the level it was at when I took BC. Of course I still get pimples every now and then, and tiny flare ups during PMS but my skin is nowhere near as bad as it used to be. I highly recommend this company. To those who are considering trying this out, be aware that during the first week or so your skin will go through a purge and your acne will appear to get worse at first. Stick with it! Once that phase is over is when your skin will begin improving. I do need to use it every night for it to be fully effective, but even when I do forget, the pimples don't get too out of control. I just can't say enough good things about this product. It has helped my confidence improve immensely and I definitely recommend trying it to those who have skin as finicky as mine.

Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
The only moisturiser I trust

I am super sensitive and this is the only moisturiser that I trust honestly incredible.

Skin Type: Combination
Amazing!

I use this product and with the clear out and it has really helped my hormonal acne.

This skin care routine is the o lay one that has helped clear up my daughters skin.

My daughters skin is really starting to look better!

Skin Type: Oily
So far so good

Bought this for my daughter that has struggled with acne for years. She has seen improvement and less frequent breakouts.

Best moisturizer I have found!

V
Lighten Up Redness Rescue Cream
Veronica Ilenya Ranieri
Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
Perfect

Has changed my skin from acne pro to almost perfect 😍😍

Skin Type: Combination
Obsessed !!

Obsessed with this cleanser!! It left me feeling fresh and prevented break outs. It is incredible . Loved this product so much

My skin feels so soft after using this moisturiser!

My skin feels so soft after using this moisturiser!

Skin Type: Combination
Fresh and clean!

My face is filled with energy and feels so fresh and clean!

Skin Type: Normal
excellent item!

have been using this for years! so good for my skin :)

C
So Fresh pH Balancing Cleanser
Carmelinda Di Manno
Skin Type: Combination
Fresh Feeling

My skin feels so clean and still hydrated when I use this cleanser. It’s balancing and refreshing. My skin has responded really well to it and at times my skin can be sensitive. I highly recommend this product to anyone with relatively oily t-zone area

Skin Type: Combination
Very happy!

Love the texture, the minty scent and the lather.
I wish the bottles were a bit bigger HOWEVER they are just small enough to fly with.

Skin Type: Normal
Comments: The only thing I now need to use to keep my skin clear.
The holy grail for clearing hormonal acne.

This is the only product that I have needed to keep my skin clear since discovering it about 2 years ago, after suddenly developing cystic hormonal acne at the age of 25. I now only need to use it every second night, so it's incredibly affordable. It has also never irritated my sensitive skin and it has faded previous acne marks to truly clear my skin. After years of trying expensive supplements/products/harsh prescription creams, Clear Out was the only thing that gave me long-lasting results.

Skin Type: Oily
Clearly Basics is the only product that has helped my Adult Acne

I have always struggled with dehydrated acne prone skin. Every month like clockwork I would get a new breakout on my chin or cheek area. These included large cystic acne that by the time they came to a head would take me months to clear. With new breakouts each month this created more & more spots before the first could heal leaving more hyper pigmentation spots that never have time to clear. Clearly basics changed all that for me. It gave my skin a chance to heal and reduced the number of breakouts each month. When I do get a new breakout it resolves itself quickly with less scarring and redness. Now that the acne is under control the products are helping to eliminate the remaining hyper pigmentation spots left from years of acne. I have not been using the product for long but I will continuing relying on this product and look forward to the day I can happily look in the mirror at a smooth clear & even complexion some day soon.

Skin Type: Combination
Comments: Product consistency in terms of smoothness/coarseness/stickiness/ is sometimes a miss, don't believe it affects the result provided.
Great Combo

Have seen great improvements by using these 2 items concurrently, hard to fault and wil continue purchasing.

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