How to remove acne spots on the face

Acne is a very common skin condition, affecting 9.4% of the global population⁽¹⁾.

It affects adolescents, but also many adults. And when acne appears on the face or neck, it is difficult to ignore: excess sebum, blackheads, red spots... All these visible signs can become a real complex and cause embarrassment in everyday life. 

So why do these imperfections appear on the face? Why do some people mainly have acne on their cheeks, nose or neck? And how can you tell if it's acne or something else?

How does acne manifest itself on the face?

On the face, manifestations of acne vary greatly from one person to another depending on the type of acne and its severity.
Here are the main visible signs of acne on the face (cheeks, nose, neck)⁽²⁾:

• Oily, shiny skin caused by excessive sebum production.
• Enlarged pores, giving the skin an uneven texture.
• Open comedones (blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads), the first visible lesions of acne.
• Red spots (papules) and pustules (filled with pus), which are inflammatory and sometimes painful. Teenagers and adults dread the appearance of these pustules on their faces, as these red spots, topped with a white tip, are particularly unsightly.
• In severe to very severe acne, there are cysts or even nodules on the face: these are inflammatory and painful spots measuring more than 5 mm, deep under the skin and likely to leave scars. 

All parts of the face can be affected by acne, but some areas are more prone than others: the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is the main area affected, but acne can also appear on the cheeks, neck and around the mouth. Spots on the face for adults are often concentrated on the lower part of the face, especially in women.

The different parts of the face affected by acne

Acne does not manifest itself in the same way for everyone. Some people only have a few small blackheads on their nose, while others develop more pronounced inflammatory lesions on their cheeks or chin. 
In fact, the distribution of spots on the face is not random: each area has its own specific characteristics and can be affected differently depending on hormonal and environmental factors, as well as the specific characteristics of each individual's skin. Some forms of acne are mild and superficial, while others are more severe and leave long-term marks on the skin. 
Here is a close-up look at the areas of the face most affected by acne.

Acne on the nose

The nose is part of the T-zone, where sebum production is naturally higher. In adolescents, hormonal activity stimulates the sebaceous glands, which promotes the development of acne⁽⁸⁾, particularly acne spots on the nose. Comedones form when excess sebum and dead skin cells clog pores, while papules and pustules appear as a result of inflammation. 

Certain external factors can also aggravate the appearance of acne spots on the nose: wearing glasses, which causes repeated rubbing, using unsuitable cosmetics, or poor skin hygiene, which promotes the accumulation of sebum and bacteria. 

Start by adopting a daily skincare routine tailored to acne-prone skin to help limit the appearance of blemishes and improve the skin's appearance.

What causes spots on the face? 

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the pilosebaceous follicles located beneath the epidermis⁽⁹⁾. 
The pilosebaceous follicles on the face consist of microscopic hairs associated with sebaceous glands. The large amount of sebum produced clogs the pores and leads to the first signs of acne, blackheads and whiteheads. These small spots can develop into red, inflamed spots, which are sometimes painful. 

Spots on the faces of adults can have many causes: hormonal, medication, occupational, lifestyle, etc. It is important to consult with a doctor to assess the situation and, above all, to confirm the diagnosis if spots appear on the face.