From tiny blackheads around your nose to stubborn cystic breakouts, acne touches nearly 80% of teens at some point. Whether your skin is acting up because of hormones, hygiene, stress, or just plain genetics, the first step to clear skin is knowing exactly what you’re up against. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide to help you identify your pimples and find your perfect plan of attack.

A visual dictionary: 6 types of pimples

Whiteheads

What they look like: These small, white bumps (also called closed comedones) form when dead skin cells, oil, and debris get trapped beneath a thin layer of skin, blocking your pores.

How to handle them: Whatever you do, don’t pop them — whiteheads are under the skin, so squeezing just makes them angrier. Instead, try a targeted treatment with Salicylic, Lactic, and Azelaic Acid to break down dead skin cells, unclog pores, and calm inflammation or use the white spot acne patch to cover it and protect it from any bacteria.

Blackheads

What they look like: Those tiny, dark dots you spot around your nose? Yep, those are blackheads, also known as open comedones. They form when dead skin cells and oil clog a pore, and the open exposure to air turns the trapped gunk black. They love to hang out on noses, foreheads, and chins.

How to handle them: Forget the urge to squeeze (trust us, it never ends well). Instead, try a nose strip it’s designed to pull out all that gunk in one satisfying peel, leaving your skin instantly clearer and smoother. Just peel, press, and pull.

Papules

What they look like: These are small, pink or red bumps without a visible head. They form when the wall of a pore breaks down, allowing white blood cells to rush in and react with C. acnes bacteria, leading to inflammation. They often feel tender to the touch and can be a bit painful.

How to handle them: Picking is a hard no — it will only lead to scarring. Avoid heavy, oil-based products and harsh exfoliants, which can further irritate inflamed skin. Instead, stick to a daily routine that balances oil, gently exfoliates, and deeply hydrates. Always use a sunscreen formulated for acne-prone skin to avoid clogging pores.

Pustules

What they look like: When you picture a classic pimple, you’re probably thinking of a pustule — a swollen, red bump with a white or yellow center. It’s essentially a more inflamed version of a whitehead, filled with a mix of oil, dead skin cells, and pus. They form when a clogged pore becomes infected with bacteria, triggering your immune system to step in.

How to handle them: Resist the urge to pop (we know it’s tempting). Instead, use a gentle cleanser to keep pores clear, then stick on a White Spot Acne Patch to absorb the pus and speed up healing.

Cystic acne

What they look like: These are the big guns of acne — large, painful, red bumps that sit deep under the skin. They form when bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells get trapped in a pore, causing a deep, inflamed infection. Unlike regular pimples, cysts don’t come to a head and can linger for weeks (or even months), often leaving scars if not treated properly.

How to handle them: Applying an ice cube for a few seconds can help reduce pain and inflammation by constricting the small blood vessels feeding the cyst. If cystic acne is a recurring problem, it’s best to see a dermatologist for targeted treatments like cortisone injections, oral medications, or prescription topical formulas to keep it under control.

Nodules

What they look like: Often confused with cysts, nodules are large, painful bumps that sit deep under the skin. Unlike cysts, they’re hard to the touch because they don’t contain pus, making them more difficult to treat. They form when C. acnes bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells clog a pore deep beneath the surface. Nodules can stick around for weeks or even months, and they rarely come to a head.

How to handle them: Over-the-counter products typically won’t cut it, since nodules lie so deep within the skin. Dermatologists often recommend prescription treatments, like oral medications, LED therapy, or cortisone injections for severe cases. For prevention, keep your pores clear by using Salicylic Acid-based products regularly, which can help break down buildup before nodules form.

*Based on self-assessments in a 14-day clinical trial