Understanding Acne: A Living Guide from Skin MPLS
Acne is the 8th most prevalent disease worldwide. It affects almost everyone at some point in their life. If you’re acne-prone, overwhelmed, frustrated, or just trying to understand your skin better, you’re not alone.
This guide brings together nearly all of our acne blogs into one place. Bookmark this page and come back to it anytime – we update it regularly as acne science and treatments evolve. You can read it top to bottom, or simply scroll and click on what speaks to you right now. You don’t need to learn everything at once. Start with the section that best fits your current situation.
“I’m new to acne or feeling totally overwhelmed”
Start with the basics – what acne actually is, and what it isn’t. Acne-prone isn’t a skin type; acne is a disease of the pores. For those who experience acne, their pores have a condition called retention hyperkeratosis, which means they shed skin cells up to five times as fast as someone who doesn’t have acne. And that dead skin sticks in the pore and mixes with oil and certain bacteria, which causes pimples of all different shapes and sizes.
→ Acne Through The Eras (for all the Swifties out there)
→ What Type Of Acne Do I Have?
→ Lessons On Acne From Dr. Fulton, the foremost contributor to treating the disease of acne
“I’ve been to a dermatologist, but I’m still confused”
Many of our clients come to us after a disappointingly quick dermatology visit that left little time for education.
→ What the Dermatologist Didn’t Tell You About Acne
→ Is Accutane Really The Last Resort?
“I’m getting treatments but not seeing results”
Professional treatments matter, but they’re only part of the picture. Professional advice and guidance is a big part of helping you get clear.
→ Extractions Help Clear You More Quickly, but your homecare is key
→ Avoid Pore-Clogging Ingredients
→ Picking Isn’t Your Fault, but it’s also not an extraction!
→ Helpful Tips To Help Curb Your Picking
→ And what to do when you have a “poppable” pimple
“I have the right products… I think?”
Rely on professional brands known for treating acne, like Vivant Skincare and Face Reality.
Having the right skincare matters, but so does how you use it.
→ Acclimating To A New Skincare Regimen
→ How To Wash Your Face (it matters more than you think)
→ You Should Seriously Use Serums
→ And Everyone Needs To Moisturize
→ Watch Out For Signs Of A Fried Skin Barrier
“My acne won’t stop, even though I’m ‘doing everything right’”
Triggers for acne are different for everyone and can be hiding in plain sight.
→ Acne Triggers A–Z
→ Best Kept Acne Secrets
→ Everyday Items That Affect Acne
→ Acne Triggers That Even Your Regimen Can’t Overcome
Watch out for pore-clogging ingredients in your makeup products.
→ Acne-Safe Makeup Brand Guide
→ Complete Guide To Navigating Acne-Safe Makeup
→ Back Away From The Beauty Aisle
Even “healthy” things can be hard on acne.
→ Health Foods That Can Break You Out
→ Minerals & Vitamins That Affect Acne
→ How Milk May Affect Your Acne
Dating and relationships can play a role too.
→ Is Your New Relationship Giving You Acne
→ Are Your Sushi Dates Breaking You Out?
“My acne came back after being clear”
Relapse happens. Acne is often worse in the fall, and pimples take about 90 days to form, which means today’s breakout started months ago. Let’s help troubleshoot your acne that has returned.
Acne can be seasonal.
→ Seasonal Acne
→ Fall Acne Survival Guide
And it can also follow the seasons of life.
→ Pregnancy and More Pregnancy
Please don’t get tripped up and end up at the wrong places for answers when troubleshooting.
→ Worse Places For Skincare Advice
“I want to heal my skin faster”
We’ll always start with skin fundamentals, but some clients benefit from extra support or are extra eager for results.
→ Expert Tips On Managing Acne
→ How To Part With “Bad” Products
→ Supplements That Support Acne-Prone Skin
→ Face Reality’s Acne Supplements
→ Clearstem’s Acne Supplements
“My acne is gone, but I’m left with marks”
Post-acne marks and scarring are treatable.
→ Microneedling & Microchanneling For Scarring
→ Chemical Peels & Vivant Pro-Peel
Seasons of Clear Skin
Life comes in seasons, and so does your skin. Some seasons are clear, some aren’t. Everyone can achieve healthy skin, even if clear skin isn’t possible right now. And not to be all “bright side,” but one day, you might even be grateful for your acne because there are some upsides to acne. Until then, we’re here to help you understand it and manage it – without shame.