--- title: "Acne: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "A plain-English guide to acne — causes, treatments and when to see a GP or pharmacist." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/acne/ robots: noindex --- # Acne: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z A plain-English guide to acne — causes, treatments and when to see a GP or pharmacist. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is acne? Acne is a common skin condition that causes spots, oily skin and sometimes painful lumps, most often on the face, back and chest. It is most common in teenagers but can affect anyone. Many cases improve with pharmacy treatments, and a GP can help with more persistent or severe acne. General UK health information, not a diagnosis. In an emergency call 999 ; for urgent advice use [NHS 111](https://111.nhs.uk/) (GP out-of-hours in Northern Ireland). On this page 5 sections ## Key facts about acne - Acne causes spots and oily skin, often on the face, back and chest. - It is very common, especially during the teenage years. - Many cases improve with pharmacy treatments over a few weeks. - A GP can help with persistent, severe or scarring acne. ## What is acne? Acne is a very common skin condition that causes spots and oily skin. It most often affects the face, but the back and chest are also common. While it is most associated with the teenage years, acne can continue into or begin in adulthood. ## Symptoms Acne can cause several types of spot, including: - blackheads and whiteheads - red, inflamed spots (papules and pustules) - larger, painful lumps under the skin in more severe cases It can range from a few occasional spots to more widespread, persistent breakouts. ## What causes it Acne develops when hair follicles become blocked with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells, sometimes leading to inflammation and spots. Hormonal changes increase oil production, which is why puberty is such a common trigger. Acne often runs in families. It is not caused by being unclean. ## Treatment Many cases of acne improve with treatments available from a pharmacy, such as products containing benzoyl peroxide. The key is to use them consistently and give them time — improvement usually takes several weeks. If pharmacy treatments do not work, or acne is more severe, a GP can prescribe stronger treatments. For severe or scarring acne, they may refer you to a specialist. ## Looking after your skin and yourself Gentle skincare, not over-washing, and avoiding picking or squeezing spots all help. Acne can have a real impact on confidence and mood — that is a valid reason to seek help, and effective treatment is available. ## ! When to see a GP about acne See a GP if pharmacy treatments have not helped after about 2 months, if your acne is severe or painful, or if it is leaving scars or affecting your confidence and mood. Early treatment of severe acne can help prevent scarring. ## Common questions about acne What causes acne? Acne happens when hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells, which can lead to spots. Hormonal changes — such as during puberty — increase oil production, which is why acne is so common in teenagers. It is not caused by poor hygiene. Does diet cause acne? For most people diet is not a major cause. Some find certain foods seem to affect their skin, but the evidence is limited. Eating a balanced diet is good for overall health regardless. How long do acne treatments take to work? Most treatments take time — often several weeks to a couple of months — before you see a clear improvement. It is important to keep using them as directed and not to expect overnight results. Can I prevent acne scarring? Avoiding picking or squeezing spots helps reduce scarring. Treating moderate to severe acne early, with help from a GP if needed, is the best way to limit long-term marks. ## Sources - [NHS — Acne](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/) ## How we reviewed this page Medically reviewed by the [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) First published 22 February 2026 Medically reviewed 3 July 2026 Next review due 3 July 2029 or sooner if NHS or NICE guidance changes Written by HealthAnswers editorial team. Published by HealthAnswers (Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd). [How we review content](https://healthanswers.co.uk/about/how-we-review/) · [Report a problem with this page](mailto:corrections@healthanswers.co.uk?subject=Problem%20with%3A%20Acne&body=Page%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fhealthanswers.co.uk%2Fconditions%2Facne%2F%0A%0AWhat%20looks%20wrong%20or%20out%20of%20date%3A%0A)