Pimples, white/blackheads, greasy skin, possible scars. Also see Propionibacterium Acnes.SkinEncyclopedia Entry for Acne :Acne - Cutibacterium (Proprionibacterium) acnesEncyclopedia Entry for Acne :Acne - self-care. To keep your pores from clogging and your skin from becoming too oily: Clean your skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap, such as Dove, Neutrogena, Cetaphil, or CeraVe. It may help to use a wash with salicylic acid or benzoyl if your skin is oily and prone to acne. Remove all dirt or make up. Wash once or twice a day, and also after exercising. Avoid scrubbing or repeated skin washing. Shampoo your hair daily, if it is oily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face. Avoid using rubbing alcohol or toners that are very drying to the skin. Avoid oil-based cosmetics. Acne medicines can cause skin drying or peeling. Use a moisturizer or skin cream that is water-based or 'noncomedogenic' or that clearly states that is safe to use on the face and will not cause acne. Remember that products that say they are noncomedogenic might still cause acne in you personally. Therefore, avoid any product that you find makes your acne worse. A small amount of sun exposure may improve acne slightly. But, tanning mostly just hides it. Too much exposure to sun or in tanning booths increases the risk for skin cancer. Some acne medicines can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Use sunscreen and hats regularly if you are taking these medicines. There is no consistent evidence that you need to avoid chocolate, milk, high-fat foods, or sweetened foods. However, it is a good idea to avoid any of foods if you find eating those specific foods seems to make your acne worse. To further prevent acne: DO NOT aggressively squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub pimples. This can lead to skin infections as well as scarring and delayed healing. Avoid wearing tight headbands, baseball caps, and other hats. Avoid touching your face. Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. DO NOT leave make up on overnight.If daily skin care does not clear up blemishes, try over-the-counter acne medicines that you apply to your skin. These products may contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, adapalene, resorcinol, or salicylic acid. They work by killing bacteria, drying up skin oils, or causing the top layer of your skin to peel. They may cause redness or peeling of the skin. If these acne medicines cause your skin to become irritated: Try using smaller amounts. A drop the size of a pea will cover the entire face. Use the medicines only every other or third day until your skin gets used to them. Wait 10 to 15 minutes after washing your face before applying these medicines.If pimples are still a problem after you've tried over-the-counter medicines, your health care provider may suggest: Antibiotics in the form of pills or creams that you put on your skin Prescription gels or creams containing a retinoid to help clear up the pimples Hormone pills for women whose acne is made worse by hormonal changes Isotretinoin pills for severe acne A laser procedure called photodynamic therapy Chemical skin peeling.Call your provider or a dermatologist if: Self-care steps and over-the-counter medicine do not help after several months. Your acne is very bad (for example, you have a lot of redness around the pimples, or you have cysts). Your acne is getting worse. You develop scars as your acne clears up. Acne is causing emotional stress.Acne vulgaris - self-care; Cystic acne - self-care; Pimples - self-care; Zits - self-care.Encyclopedia Entry for Acne :Acne. Acne occurs when tiny holes on the surface of the skin become clogged. These holes are called pores. Each pore opens to a follicle. A follicle contains a hair and an oil gland. The oil released by the gland helps remove old skin cells and keeps your skin soft. The glands can become blocked with a mixture or oil and skin cells, the blockage is called a plug or comedone. If the top of the plug is white, it is called a whitehead. It is called a blackhead if the top of the plug is dark. If bacteria become trapped in the plug, the body's immune system may react to it, causing pimples. Acne that is deep in your skin can cause hard, painful cysts. This is called nodulocystic acne. Acne, cystic on the chest Acne is most common in teenagers, but anyone can get acne, even babies. The problem tends to run in families. Some things that may trigger acne include: Hormonal changes that make the skin oilier. These may be related to puberty, menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress. Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products. Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone , estrogen, and phenytoin). Birth control devices such as some drug containing IUDs that can make acne worse. Heavy sweating and humidity. Research does not show that chocolate, nuts, and greasy foods cause acne. However, diets high in refined sugars or dairy products may be related to acne in some people, but this connection is controversial.Acne commonly appears on the face and shoulders. It may also occur on the trunk, arms, legs, and buttocks. Skin changes include: Crusting of skin bumps Cysts Papules (small red bumps) Pustules (small red bumps containing white or yellow pus) Redness around the skin eruptions Scarring of the skin Whiteheads Blackheads Blackheads (comedones).Your health care provider can diagnose acne by looking at your skin. Testing is not needed in most cases. Bacterial culture may be performed with certain patterns of acne or to rule out infection if large pus bumps persist.SELF-CARE Steps you can take to help your acne : Clean your skin gently with a mild, nondrying soap (such as Dove, Neutrogena, Cetaphil, CeraVe, or Basics). Look for water-based or 'noncomedogenic' formulas for cosmetics and skin creams. (Noncomedogenic products have been tested and proven not to clog pores and cause acne in most people.) Remove all dirt or make-up. Wash once or twice a day, including after exercising. Avoid scrubbing or repeated skin washing. Shampoo your hair daily, especially if it is oily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep the hair out of your face. What NOT to do: Try not to aggressively squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the pimples. This can lead to skin infections, slower healing, and scarring. Avoid wearing tight headbands, baseball caps, and other hats. Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers. Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. DO NOT leave make-up on overnight. If these steps do not clear up the blemishes, try over-the-counter acne medicines that you apply to your skin. Follow the directions carefully and apply these products sparingly. These products may contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, adapalene, or salicylic acid. They work by killing bacteria, drying up skin oils, or causing the top layer of your skin to peel. They may cause redness, drying, or excessive peeling of the skin. Be aware that benzoyl peroxide containing preparations can bleach or discolor towels and clothing. A small amount of sun exposure may improve acne slightly, but tanning mostly hides the acne. Too much exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays is not recommended because it increases the risk for skin cancer. MEDICINES FROM YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER If pimples are still a problem, a provider can prescribe stronger medicines and discuss other options with you. Antibiotics may help some people with acne: Oral antibiotics (taken by mouth) such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin, trimethoprim, and amoxicillin Topical antibiotics (applied to the skin) such as clindamycin, erythromycin, or dapsone Creams or gels applied to the skin may be prescribed: Derivatives of vitamin A such as retinoic acid cream or gel (tretinoin, Retin-A) Prescription formulas of benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid Topical azelaic acid For women whose acne is caused or made worse by hormones: A pill called spironolactone may help. Birth control pills may help in some cases, though they may make acne worse in some women. Minor procedures or treatments may also be helpful: Photodynamic therapy may be used. This is a treatment where a chemical that is activated by blue light is applied to the skin, followed by exposure to the light. Your provider may also suggest chemical skin peeling; removal of scars by dermabrasion ; or removal, drainage, or injection of cysts with cortisone. People who have cystic acne and scarring may try a medicine called isotretinoin (Accutane). You will be watched closely when taking this medicine because of its side effects. Pregnant women should NOT take Accutane, because it causes severe birth defects. Women taking Accutane must use 2 forms of birth control before starting the drug and enroll in the iPledge program. Men also need to be enrolled in the iPledge program. Your provider will follow you on this drug and you will have regular blood tests.Most of the time, acne goes away after the teenage years, but it may last into middle age. The condition often responds well to treatment after 6 to 8 weeks, but may flare up from time to time. Scarring may occur if severe acne is not treated. Some people become very depressed if acne is not treated.Call your provider if: Self-care steps and over-the-counter medicine do not help after several months. Your acne is very bad (for example, you have a lot of redness around the pimples, or you have cysts). Your acne is getting worse. You develop scars as your acne clears up. Acne is causing emotional stress. Adult facial acne If your baby has acne, call the baby's provider if acne does not clear up on its own within 3 months.Acne vulgaris; Cystic acne; Pimples; Zits.Baby acne Baby acne Acne - close-up of pustular lesions Acne - close-up of pustular lesions Blackheads (comedones) Blackheads (comedones) Acne, cystic on the chest Acne, cystic on the chest Acne, cystic on the face Acne, cystic on the face Acne, vulgaris on the back Acne, vulgaris on the back Acne on the back Acne on the back Acne Acne.Gehris RP. Dermatology.