Compared to other acne forms, cystic acne causes the largest and most painful blemishes. It is also the most difficult to treat.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by SELF editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Dani Ferrasanjose/Getty ...

Benzoyl peroxide eases inflammation, fights bacteria, and unclogs pores, while salicylic acid prevents breakouts from getting worse. Another one she suggested is Retinoid A which stops dead skin cells ...

Cystic acne is the most serious type of acne. It develops when cysts form deep underneath your skin. This can result from a combination of bacteria, oil, and dry skin cells that get trapped in your ...

Dealing with cystic acne can be painful and scarring — physically and mentally. Cystic acne gets its name from cysts, which are pus-filled pimples. They're typically large, painful and set deep in the ...

‘I’m a Dermatologist, and These Are the 5 Skincare Products That Will Keep Your Face Happy This Winter’ Pimples are a pestilent, diverse breed. One thing that makes them particularly annoying is that ...

You’ve probably experienced a few different types of acne since your teenage years, from annoying blackheads to juicy papules. But if you’ve ever developed one of those large, deep, painful red ...

They’re the bane of the awkward teenage years—unsightly, painful pimples that grow in clusters or in obvious spots like your forehead or right smack on the tip of your nose. But the end of adolescence ...

It can be frustrating to spend money on an expensive skin care product or pricey treatment, only to find it doesn’t work well for your skin. This is especially true if you’re prone to breakouts and ...