acne
Americannoun
-
acnes
plural
noun
Usage
What is acne? Acne is a skin condition in which the skin’s sebaceous glands become clogged, infected, and inflamed. A more technical name for it is acne vulgaris. Acne commonly results in pimples—small inflammations or swellings of the skin that may or may not be filled with pus. More severe cases of acne can result in cysts and nodules that can leave scars. Acne most commonly affects the face, neck, and back. It is most common among teens and preteens due to changes in body chemistry during the period of development known as puberty, but adults can also get acne. Example: My skin is naturally oily, so I have to buy a specific face wash to help keep my acne under control.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of acne
1820–30; < New Latin < Late Greek aknás, a manuscript error for akmás, accusative plural of akmḗ facial eruption, probably to be identified with Greek akmḗ acme
Explanation
Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or even a red rash to pop up on your face and sometimes your back and shoulders. Teenagers are often affected by acne, which is a real bummer when you’re trying to flirt. When you have acne, your skin is red and pimpled. Acne shows up on the face because that’s where you have more sebaceous glands, which are glands that produce oils to protect and annoy mammals. Acne also shows up on backs and shoulders, but it can really pop up anywhere on your body. Teenagers often get acne, because those fun hormonal surges of puberty cause an uptick in oil production. Adults can get acne as well. Great.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Pimples and acne are an uncomfortable hallmark of teenage years, but adults can have breakouts too.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Dermatologists say it’s somewhat easier to treat acne on the face compared with the rest of the body because the face has more sweat glands and doesn’t dry out as easily.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
The causes of facial and body acne are similar, although skin bacteria sometimes play a larger role in body acne.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Aguh said they are suited only for mild forms of acne; Fine said the patches have given some of her patients discoloration and she doesn’t recommend them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
And luckily, no one had told me yet that adult acne was a real thing.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
Studies support these claims, showing that probiotics like Lactobacillus can help with acne by producing antibacterial compounds that inhibit C. acnes and by reducing inflammation.
From Slate ● Feb. 22, 2025
To edit the genome of C. acnes, the research team led by Marc Güell has focused on improving DNA delivery to the cell, DNA stability inside the cell, and gene expression.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 9, 2024
The most commonly involved bacteria are Cutibacterium acnes, which live innocuously on skin cells but can grow out of control when the skin's oily sebum increases and boosts bacterial food supply.
From Scientific American ● Jun. 16, 2022
Two strains of P. acnes are associated with the development of acne on human skin, but other strains are associated with healthy skin.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
It is now generally acknowledged that the cause of this disease is the organism known as bacillus acnes.
From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg
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