Let’s Talk Acne: Understanding the Different Types & How We Treat Them

It’s Kristen here—owner of With Love Co., Esthetician of 15 years, and someone who has walked the acne journey firsthand. I’ve personally struggled with acne at different stages of my life—through hormonal shifts, stress, and even post-pregnancy breakouts—and I know how deeply it can affect not just your skin, but your confidence and the way you feel in your own body. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping clients navigate their own skin journeys.

At With Love, we take a holistic approach to treating acne. It’s not just about the surface-level blemishes—it’s about understanding what’s happening underneath, supporting the skin barrier, addressing lifestyle factors, and creating a treatment plan that’s customized just for you.

Understanding the Different Types of Acne

Acne isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are many types, and each requires a different approach. Let’s break down some of the most common forms of acne—and something many people don’t realize: sometimes what looks like acne isn’t actually acne at all.

1. Hormonal AcneThose stubborn breakouts along the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks—often cystic, inflamed, and tied to your cycle? That’s hormonal acne. And yes, it’s so common, even well into your 30s, 40s, and 50s.

2. Congested/Clogged PoresTiny bumps, blackheads, or whiteheads that give your skin an uneven texture. This type of acne is usually caused by a buildup of dead skin, excess oil, or the wrong products for your skin type.

3. Inflammatory AcneThe classic red, swollen, painful pimples that show up and demand attention. These often need extra calming and targeted treatments to heal.

4. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) & ScarringOnce a breakout is gone, it can leave behind dark marks, redness, or textural scarring. The good news? We have solutions to help fade these and restore your skin’s glow.

5. Acne Imposters (Fungal Acne & Perioral Dermatitis)Here’s where it gets tricky. Sometimes, what looks like acne isn’t acne at all.

• Fungal Acne is actually a yeast imbalance, not true acne. It often shows up as small, uniform bumps that are itchy—and treating it with typical acne products like benzoyl peroxide can actually make it worse.

• Perioral Dermatitis looks like acne but is more of an inflammatory condition, often triggered by overuse of products, steroid creams, or even toothpaste. It usually shows up as a rash or clusters of bumps around the mouth, nose, or eyes—and needs a completely different approach to heal.

How We Treat Acne (and Acne Imposters) at With Love Co.

Every acne journey is unique, which is why our approach is never cookie-cutter. We begin with a comprehensive skin consultation—this is where we learn your story, your triggers, your skin habits, and your lifestyle. From there, we create a plan that’s as unique as you are.

Some of the tools in our acne-fighting (and skin-soothing) toolbox:

• Acne-Focused Facials—deep pore cleansing, gentle exfoliation, extractions, soothing masks, and LED light therapy to calm inflammation

• Custom Home care Plans—because your daily skincare routine matters, and we’ll help you ditch the wrong products and start fresh with what your skin truly needs

• Targeted Treatments—high-frequency, enzyme therapy, or gentle peels to refine skin and target stubborn acne or pigmentation

• Barrier Repair Support—strengthening the skin’s natural defenses so it can heal itself

• Acne Boot Camp—for clients who need a more structured treatment plan, we offer an acne boot camp program. Depending on your acne grade, you may need anywhere from three to six follow-up treatments after your initial acne-focused facial. This series of treatments is designed to get your skin back on track—and yes, we can even incorporate our non-ablative laser into your acne boot camp plan to help target active breakouts and reduce inflammation.

• Education & Guidance—we’ll talk about lifestyle factors that impact skin health (think: diet, stress, sleep, and hormone balance)

  
  

And when it comes to acne imposters like fungal acne or perioral dermatitis, we’ll guide you toward a specialized protocol—because these conditions need a completely different plan than traditional acne.

Final Thoughts

Acne is a journey— and one I’m passionate about guiding my clients through. At With Love Co., we’re not just here to clear your skin—we’re here to help you feel confident and empowered with skincare knowledge even after you acne is clear.

If you’re ready to get to the root cause of your breakouts and work together toward real, lasting results, I’d love to invite you in for a complimentary skin consultation. Let’s talk, let’s create a plan, and let’s start your skin’s healing journey—together.

With love,

kristen Owner & Acne Specialist at With Love Co.