---
title: "Acne: symptoms, causes & treatment | Sanara Health"
description: "Acne affects most teenagers and many adults. Persistent or scarring acne responds well to prescription treatment when over-the-counter options have not worked."
url: "https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/conditions/acne/"
source: "Sanara Health"
licence: "Quote with attribution and a link to the url above."
---
# Acne: symptoms, causes & treatment

Acne affects most teenagers and many adults. Persistent or scarring acne responds well to prescription treatment when over-the-counter options have not worked.

Editorial information by **Kaiser Khan**. Not clinically reviewed.

Coming to NHS pharmacies in England

## Pharmacy First is adding this condition

NHS England announced on 10 September 2026 that Pharmacy First will add mild to moderate acne for young people this autumn, at pharmacies with a pharmacist prescriber. It is not live everywhere yet — ask your local pharmacy, or use your GP or NHS 111 in the meantime.

[How Pharmacy First works →](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/guides/pharmacy-first-uk/)[NHS or online? Decision tool →](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/tools/nhs-or-online/)

Source: [NHS England: five new Pharmacy First pathways](https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/09/patients-to-get-quicker-treatment-for-migraines-acne-and-3-other-everyday-conditions-at-pharmacies/), checked 24 September 2026. Sanara earns nothing when you use the NHS.

## Symptoms

- Spots on face, chest or back
- Painful cysts or nodules
- Oily skin
- Scarring or dark marks after spots heal

## Why it happens

Blocked pores, excess oil, bacteria and inflammation — often hormonal. Diet and stress can flare it but rarely cause it alone.

## Treatment

Prescription topical and oral options exist for moderate to severe acne. A clinician selects what is safe for you and monitors progress at 6–8 weeks.

## Self-care that helps

Gentle non-comedogenic cleanser twice daily; avoid picking; consistent sunscreen; give any new treatment 8–12 weeks before judging results.

## When to get help

Sudden severe acne, fever with skin rash, or acne with irregular periods and excess hair in women — get assessed for underlying causes.

[See our acne support →](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/medicines/acne/)

Go deeper

## Related guides

[Acne treatment online UK: prescription options and what works — How online acne treatment works in the UK — prescription gels, oral antibiotics and when you need a dermatologist instead.](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/guides/acne-treatment-online-uk/)

Available without prescription

## Products that can help

[Everyday health — Vitamin D3: 1000 IU explained](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/vitamin-d3-1000iu/)

[Everyday health — Omega-3 fish oil](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/omega-3-fish-oil/)

[Everyday health — Daily multivitamins](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/daily-multivitamin/)