Acne.org Editorial Guidelines

Finding health and wellness information is easy. It's everywhere. But finding trustworthy, relevant, usable information can be hard and even overwhelming. Acne.org is changing all that. We're making health information understandable and accessible so you can make the best decisions for yourself and the people you love.

Read more about our process

Articles by Dan Kern

Black Skin and Acne

Treating Acne in Black Skin The Essential Info As with all ethnicities, acne is common in black skin. Like any non-Caucasian ethnicity, Black people also experience more hyperpigmentation (dark/red spots left behind after an acne lesion heals). Black people also tend to have more of an issue with raised/keloid scarring. Treatment for acne is more or …

How to Choose Good Camouflage Makeup

Select Camouflage Makeup That Is Free of Pore-clogging Ingredients and Apply It Gently The Essential Info Before buying camouflage makeup for acne-prone skin, take a look at the ingredients. Avoid camouflage makeup that contains pore-clogging ingredients. Also avoid products with fragrances, which may irritate the skin and aggravate acne, or may cause allergies in some …

How Do Acne Lesions Heal?

Proper Healing of Acne Lesions Is Important in Order to Avoid the Formation of Scars The Essential Info Some lesions, such as whiteheads, heal quickly and usually without scarring. More severe lesions, such as nodules and cysts, take longer to heal and often leave scars. This article explains the biology behind how acne lesions heal. Regardless of …

What Is an Acne Papule?

Papules Are Red, Slightly Elevated Acne Lesions Less than 5mm in Size and Do Not Contain Pus The Essential Info Papules are relatively small (less than 5 mm across), red, slightly elevated acne lesions that normally develop on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. After a few days, papules normally fill with …

What Is Comedone Extraction, and Should You Do It?

Comedone Extraction Is a Procedure to Remove the Contents of Clogged Pores. Professional Comedone Extraction Might Help with Mild Acne but May Worsen Severe Acne. The Essential Info What is it? Comedone extraction is a procedure in which a doctor, nurse, or esthetician/cosmetician uses a small metal tool called a comedone extractor with a loop …

What is Benzoic Acid and Can it Help Clear Acne?

Benzoic Acid Forms from the Breakdown of Benzoyl Peroxide on the Skin. Once it Forms, Benzoic Acid Is Hypothesized to Work Similarly to Salicylic Acid to Clear Acne. The Essential Info When benzoyl peroxide is applied to the skin, it breaks down into two parts: Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide works by killing acne bacteria (C. …

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

It Means That a Product Is Less Likely to Cause an Allergic Reaction. However, Consumers Should Know That Any Cosmetic Product Can Cause Allergic Reactions, Even Those Advertised as Hypoallergenic. The Essential Info Hypoallergenic is a term that means “reduced allergy.” However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require the manufacturers of …

What Is Acne Fulminans?

Acne Fulminans Is a Very Rare and Extremely Severe Form of Acne that Affects Young Caucasian Males The Essential Info Acne fulminans is an extremely rare, severe form of acne that presents numerous painful nodules and/or cysts covering large areas of the skin along with symptoms that affect the whole body, such as fever, fatigue, …

What Is Acne Conglobata?

Acne Conglobata Is a Rare and Unusually Severe Form of Acne The Essential Info What It Is: Acne conglobata is a severe form of acne that comes with a range of lesions, most notably nodules, cysts, blackheads, abscesses, and draining sinuses. It often leaves large, disfiguring scars. The disease typically affects young males, but females …

How Lactic Acid Helps with Acne

Lactic Acid Exfoliates the Skin, Decreases Skin Oil, Reduces Bacteria, Decreases Hyperpigmentation, and Promotes the Penetration of Acne Medications The Essential Info Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is mainly used for its anti-aging properties, but since it is an AHA, it should be somewhat effective against acne as well, particularly when used …