Acne vs. Rosacea

Acne and rosacea are two of the most common skin conditions out there.⁹ And because the painful, red bumps that characterize rosacea look a lot like acne, they’re often mistaken for each other. But, acne and rosacea — and the treatments for each — are very different.

Pimple-like breakouts
But no blackheads.
Eye problems
Including bloodshot eyes, red and swollen eyelids, problems seeing and discomfort.
Facial redness
Near the central part of your face—cheeks, forehead, nose or chin. Redness may come and go or be permanent.
Visible blood vessels
Caused by broken capillaries in the cheeks.

Presents as pimples
Including blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or deep, painful cysts.
Redness
Occurs around breakouts only.
Oily T-zone
Affecting the nose, chin and forehead.
Uneven skin texture
Bumpy skin texture, due to blemishes and scars.

Woman with Rosacea — Not an actual patient. Individual results may vary.

Rosacea typically occurs in the central region of the face, cheeks and nose, and sometimes occurs on the chin or forehead.
Rosacea typically begins as redness of the skin, and sometimes manifests with small, but visible, dilated blood vessels. Rosacea redness can also extend to the scalp, neck, chest and upper back.
Bumps and pimples may occur as inflammation increases, and the eyes may appear red or bloodshot. In more advanced cases of rosacea, the nose may become swollen from excess tissue. It’s important to note that rosacea may cause pimple-like breakouts without blackheads (pimples with blackheads are more likely acne).
People suffering from rosacea often report that their skin is extra sensitive, particularly in areas of redness.
Rosacea mostly affects adults in their 30’s. Although it affects people of all races and ethnicities, those with fairer skin are more likely to develop rosacea.
It is important to receive a proper diagnosis from your doctor or dermatologist.

Teen with acne — Not an actual patient. Individual results may vary.

Acne is a common, chronic inflammatory disease, and more than 90% of the world’s population suffers from acne at some point in their lives.
Acne is characterized by a variety of skin lesions (whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules), but blackheads are typically the predominant form of skin lesions associated with acne.
Usually, acne causes the skin to become oily, especially on the forehead, nose and chin.
Acne can also cause skin redness that is localized around the major areas of skin breakouts. Bumpy skin texture due to blemishes or scars can also appear once acne clears. Acne typically affects the face, jawline, neck, upper back, chest and shoulders.
Cutibacterium acnes is the name of the bacteria that live on the skin and contributes to pimples and the production of acne. But, not all acne bacteria triggers pimples.
Acne affects people of all ages, races and ethnicities, but it mostly affects adolescents, teenagers and young adults.

People that suffer from rosacea are more likely to have dry, sensitive skin. There are several ways to care for your skin throughout the day:⁸

African American woman with Rosacea — Not an actual patient. Individual results may vary.

It is important to select a gentle facial cleanser that won’t remove all the moisture from their skin.
After cleaning and treating your face, it’s important to moisturize and protect it from the elements. Ask your dermatologist about the best lotions to soothe dry skin.
You can also nourish your skin at night while sleeping. Night creams helps retain natural moisture in your skin and protects it through the night. It will help strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and won’t clog pores.
There are daily facial moisturizers that can also protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Find a Dermatologist

Rosacea symptoms can vary substantially from person to person, so treatment must be tailored by a dermatologist for each individual. Galderma is a leader in skin health and proudly offers a range of treatments that alleviate the many symptoms of rosacea. With EPSOLAY, we now have a treatment for sensitive skin using microencapsulation technology.^1,2 For more information about Galderma’s rosacea treatment products, see below.