Acne

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.

Acne: Preventing and Reducing Scarring

There are a number of ways to prevent or minimize scarring, and some treatment options are also available to reverse scarring.

Acne in Men

Cysts and scarring

Types of Spots, Pimples

Acne in Women

Acne Causes

Natural Treatments for Acne that Work

Self-Help for Acne

Adult Acne - Skin Disorders

Acne and Make-Up

Genetics of Acne

Papules, Pustules and Nodules

See more featured articles »

Acne Research

Acne Treatments

Blackheads and Whiteheads: Overview

What is Acne?

Acne Surgery

Can Probiotics Prevent or Treat Acne?

Hyperpigmentation and Acne

Acne and Self-Esteem

Latest Acne News and Research

NHS grant funds study on the use of weight-loss drugs for treating PCOS

Dr. Shagaf Bakour, a gynecologist and director of medical education at Aston Medical School, has won an NHS research grant to investigate the use of weight-loss drugs in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

21 Apr 2026

Pediatric experts say plain yogurt is safe from 6 months and belongs in a baby’s diet

An expert panel review says plain, whole yogurt with no added sugar or sweeteners can be introduced from 6 months as part of complementary feeding, provided it does not replace breast milk or infant formula as the main source of nutrition. It also explains that yogurt provides live microorganisms and key nutrients, is generally well tolerated, and helps address common myths about inflammation, mucus, acne, sugar, and safety.

2 Apr 2026

How do diet, smoking, alcohol, and stress reshape the female microbiome?

This review examines how modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors shape the female vaginal, gut, oral, and skin microbiomes, with diet, alcohol, smoking, obesity, stress, hygiene, physical activity, and sexual behaviours all linked to site-specific microbial shifts. It argues that understanding these patterns could help guide future female-focused prevention and intervention strategies.

30 Mar 2026

Time-restricted eating improves hormone levels in women with PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, affects as many as 18% of all childbearing-age women. The condition occurs when a woman's body produces too much of a group of hormones called androgens, chiefly testosterone. Menstrual irregularity, obesity and even infertility can result.

30 Mar 2026

Postbiotics may help treat PCOS by restoring microbiome balance

Emerging studies suggest postbiotics could aid PCOS management by restoring gut microbiome balance and enhancing insulin sensitivity and hormonal regulation.

10 Mar 2026

Drug combination shows greater weight loss while preserving muscle mass

A recent research study found that a combination of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide and bimagrumab, an antibody that blocks activin signaling pathways, results in greater weight loss while also preserving lean mass, such as skeletal muscle and connective tissue.

5 Mar 2026

No evidence probiotic skincare can improve mood

Current findings reveal no support for emotional benefits from probiotic cosmetics, highlighting the need for further investigation into neurocosmetics.

5 Mar 2026

Microneedle patches enhance acne treatment with dual drug delivery

Acne vulgaris affects a large proportion of adolescents and young adults and can lead to long-term scarring and psychological distress.

30 Jan 2026

E-visits resolve common health issues with low follow-up rates

Researchers compare the efficacy of e-visits in clinical settings where other types of visits are available.

4 Dec 2025

Study reveals widespread unrecognized acne among 35-year-old Finnish women

Adult acne is more common than often assumed. According to research from the University of Oulu, around 31 per cent of 35-year-old Finnish women have acne on the face or back.

27 Nov 2025

Commonly prescribed antibiotic linked to lower risk of schizophrenia

A commonly prescribed antibiotic could help reduce the risk of some young people developing schizophrenia, new research suggests.

5 Nov 2025

Some hormonal contraceptives linked to higher risk of breast cancer

Some common hormonal contraceptives are linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than others.

30 Oct 2025

New imaging technique maps medication distribution across skin layers

A new study by the Hebrew University has developed a rapid imaging method that reveals how drugs move through the skin, in just ten minutes.

29 Oct 2025

Four distinct subgroups of PCOS open up for more tailored treatments

Four distinct subgroups of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been identified in an international study published in Nature Medicine by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, among others.

29 Oct 2025

Low-calorie diets linked to higher psoriatic arthritis risk, genetic study suggests

This Mendelian randomization study found that low-calorie diets may slightly increase the risk of psoriatic arthritis, while vegetarian and gluten-free diets showed no causal links to psoriasis, acne, or atopic dermatitis. The findings challenge assumptions about universally beneficial dietary patterns and highlight the need for cautious interpretation of dietary interventions in inflammatory skin disease.

19 Oct 2025

FDA shares safety guidance for people considering microneedling

Being pricked by tiny needles may sound like a strange way to make your skin look better, but that's the concept behind a skin care technique called microneedling.

16 Oct 2025

Why protein powders can secretly cause doping bans

Adulterated protein supplements can lead to unintentional doping. This review outlines detection strategies and protective measures for athletes and clinicians.

9 Oct 2025

Scientists show for the first time how fibroblasts go 'rogue' in different diseases

Scientists have mapped underappreciated scaffolding cells in skin, known as fibroblasts. They show for the first time how fibroblasts go 'rogue' in many different diseases affecting multiple organs – from acne and psoriasis, to rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

24 Sep 2025

Two-stage pimple patch eliminates acne in seven days

Waking up with a pimple is no longer cause for panic, thanks to pimple patches - small, sticker-like bandages that cover and help heal the unwanted zit.

29 Aug 2025

Fad diets and supplements fuel new wave of hidden skin problems, study finds

A new review explains how fad diets and unregulated supplements promoted online can cause serious skin, hair, and nail problems, often before other symptoms appear. Clinicians are urged to recognize these risks and address health misinformation in the digital age.

22 Jul 2025