Overview
Acne and rosacea are both common skin conditions that can affect the face, but they have different causes, triggers, and treatments. Acne is primarily due to clogged pores, excess oil, and bacteria, and is most common in teenagers and young adults. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that usually affects adults and causes redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps. While acne involves blackheads and whiteheads, rosacea typically does not.
Disease Summaries
Acne: Also known as pimples, acne results from a blocked swollen pore on the skin. Causes include changes in hormone levels (e.g. puberty), medications, and direct pressure on the skin.
Rosacea: Rosacea is a skin condition that often involves flushing of the skin. The exact cause is unclear, but genetics, immune system reactions, and exposure to sunlight seem to be involved.
Comparing Symptoms
Overlapping Symptoms
- Redness or inflammation on the face
- Bumps or pimples
- Skin sensitivity
- Flare-ups triggered by stress, diet, or environment
Acne Specific Symptoms
- Blackheads and whiteheads
- Pustules, papules, or cysts
- Oily skin
- Often affects face, chest, and back
- Common during puberty or hormonal changes
Rosacea Specific Symptoms
- Persistent facial redness (especially cheeks, nose, forehead)
- Visible blood vessels (telangiectasia)
- Flushing and sensitivity
- Acne-like breakouts without blackheads
- May involve eye irritation (ocular rosacea)
Treatment Approaches
Acne Treatment Approaches
Treatment begins with simple measures like reducing pressure and regular cleansing. Mild acne can be treated with various creams - some are applied during the day, and some at night. More severe cases may require oral medications. Patients taking acne pills should consult their doctor if planning for pregnancy.
Rosacea Treatment Approaches
Creams and medications can alleviate symptoms. Meanwhile, avoiding sunlight and harsh soaps, and wearing sunscreen can prevent symptoms from worsening.
Reviewed By:

Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.

Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on May 1, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Zaenglein, A. L. (2018). Acne vulgaris. New England Journal of Medicine.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1702493Ogé, L. K., Broussard, A., & Marshall, M. D. (2019). Acne vulgaris: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/1015/p475.htmlBuddenkotte J, Steinhoff M. Recent advances in understanding and managing rosacea. F1000Res. 2018 Dec 3;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1885. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.16537.1. PMID: 30631431; PMCID: PMC6281021.
https://f1000research.com/articles/7-1885/v1