The first step in managing acne breakouts is understanding the cause, type and severity of acne.

• Whiteheads are hair follicles congested by oil, debris or dead skin cells that stay beneath the skin and produce a white bump.

• Blackheads are congested follicles that reach the surface of the skin and open up. They look black on the skin surface because the air discolours the sebum, not because they are dirty.

• Papules are inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin. They can be tender to the touch. Picking or squeezing can make the inflammation worse. A large number of papules may indicate moderate to severe acne.

• Pustules are papules topped by white or yellow pus-filled lesions. They are usually red at the base. Squeezing pustules can cause scars or dark spots to develop.

• Nodules are large, painful lesions that are lodged deep within the skin. They feel firm to the touch. Over-the-counter treatments may not be powerful enough to clear them up.

• Cysts are large, pus-filled lesions that look similar to boils. Like nodules, cysts can be painful and and tend to scar once healed. People who develop nodules and cysts are usually considered to have a more severe form of acne.