Rosacea vs. Acne: How to Tell the Difference

Rosacea vs. Acne: Which Could You Have?

There are a few clues that could help you distinguish between the two:

• Location: Acne rosacea is a common term for rosacea with acne-like bumps, but rosacea and acne are separate conditions. Rosacea often appears on the central face, including the chin, nose, middle forehead and the parts of the cheek closest to the nose. While acne can also affect the face, it may also appear along the jawline, forehead, chest, back or other areas.
• Appearance: Acne may involve whiteheads, cysts and blackheads. Rosacea can cause acne-like papules and pustules, but it usually does not involve clogged pores.
• Triggers: Triggers for rosacea can include hot drinks, alcohol, stress, heat, spicy foods and sun exposure. Flare-ups often come and go, and triggers can vary from person to person. Acne triggers can also vary, but breakouts may be linked to factors like hormones, oil production, certain products or medications.

Why an Accurate Diagnosis Matters

While rosacea and acne can both cause redness and bumps that look similar, they do not always follow textbook patterns. That makes it difficult to tell them apart without a professional skin evaluation.

This matters because treatment for rosacea on your face may not be the same as acne treatment. For rosacea, for example, a provider may also check for eye redness and irritation. These symptoms can happen with ocular rosacea and may require additional treatment to protect your vision.

Professional acne treatment may focus on clogged pores, oily skin and breakouts, while rosacea care may focus on minimizing redness and inflammation while managing triggers.

Your symptoms may also be related to another condition, and the wrong at-home treatment could irritate your skin or delay the right care. Even if you’re sure you have acne or rosacea, a dermatologist can provide an accurate diagnosis so you get appropriate treatment.

Get a Professional Diagnosis

The right treatment for rosacea or acne, whether mild or significant, begins with a personalized evaluation and treatment strategy. BSI has a team of providers, including board-certified dermatologists and dedicated skin care specialists who put patients first. Schedule an appointment today.

Dr. Julia Arzeno, MD, FAAD

Dr. Julia Arzeno is a board-certified dermatologist and the Medical Director at Berman Skin Institute in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a distinguished academic background from UCLA and specialized training in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, she has successfully completed over 2000 Mohs procedures.

Dr. Arzeno is dedicated to providing personalized patient care and is actively involved in dermatologic research, contributing to numerous publications and presentations in her field.

Her commitment to advancing dermatology and enhancing patient outcomes reflects her passion for exceptional medical service. This content has been medically reviewed by a qualified medical professional.