What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition, caused by changes in the skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland. It is characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples.

How do members experience acne?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with acne*

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Modafinil Vitamin B Complex
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Aromatherapy Acupuncture
Common symptom
Pimples
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Andalou Naturals Citrus Kombucha Cleansing Gel Benzoyl Peroxide-Clindamycin Topical Clindamycin topical
Common symptom
Pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Ibuprofen Tramadol
Common symptom
Depressed mood
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Sertraline Fluoxetine Bupropion

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for acne*

Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment

(Accutane)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
78
Tried for
acne (5)
Treatment

(Retin-A)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
98
Tried for
acne (4)
Treatment

(Doxylin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
138
Tried for
acne (3)
Treatment

(Acne Treatment)
Type
Over the Counter Drug
How many have tried
232
Tried for
acne (1)
Treatment

(Dalacin T)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
121
Tried for
acne (1)

*Data from patients with acne, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with acne*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Accutane)
Perceived effectiveness
for acne (2 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
acne (5)
Treatment

(Retin-A)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
acne (4)
Treatment

(Doxylin)
Perceived effectiveness
for acne (3 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea nausea
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
acne (3)
Treatment

(Acne Treatment)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
acne (1)
Treatment

(Dalacin T)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
acne (1)

*Data from patients with acne, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has acne on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 14
20s 163
30s 332
40s 222
50s 114
60s 42
70+ 17

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 242
Female 647