Acne, the complex skin condition it is, comes in many forms. While each pimple is technically formed the same way—dead skin, oil, and debris stick together and block the pores—but from there, it can develop into various types of blemishes. Some are large, red, and tender to the touch (like cysts); others are speckled across your skin, causing textural concerns (blackheads and whiteheads).

Here, we dive into the seven types of acne, the causes, and how to best treat each spot. In terms of remedies, the tips we provide here only scratch the surface, as treating acne requires a holistic view—diet, stress, and sleep can all affect the condition, but this article will focus on specific ingredients for each blemish.

Non-Inflammatory versus Inflammatory Acne

Each type of acne technically falls into one of two categories: non-inflammatory or inflammatory though to be clear, all acne stems from some level of inflammation. A few types are more tender, puffy, and angry than others—those are classified as “inflammatory.” Papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts fall into this category, as they’re all typically red and painful.

“Non-inflammatory” acne, on the other hand, results in subtler mounds—these are your whiteheads, blackheads, and subclinical breakouts. Also known as comedonal acne, the bumps tend to be flesh-toned, aside from blackheads, which are darker in color) It is typically caused by clogged hair follicles and found where the skin is more oily, like the chest, back, and T-zone area of the face.