Is acne vulgaris contagious?

Can you catch acne by touching or kissing someone?

Touching, hugging or kissing someone with acne does not transmit acne. There is no need to avoid ordinary contact because of their spots. Acne can run in families, but that is different from passing it between family members through contact. If a parent and child both develop acne, it does not mean one caught it from the other.1

Why are bacteria involved if acne is not contagious?

Acne starts when hair follicles, the small openings where hairs grow, become blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells. The skin's natural oil is called sebum. Bacteria can grow in those blocked follicles and contribute to inflammation and pus. Cutibacterium acnes is one of the bacteria involved. Acne severity does not simply depend on how many bacteria are on the skin, so treating acne is not just a matter of removing bacteria. Treatment can also target blocked pores, excess oil and inflammation.3456

Can sharing makeup cause breakouts?

Yes, sharing makeup, brushes or applicators can contribute to breakouts, even though acne itself is not contagious. Bacteria, oil and dead skin cells from another person's skin can get into the makeup and then onto yours. That material can clog pores. Keep makeup, brushes and applicators for your own use, rather than giving your cosmetics a social life. This applies even when the makeup is labelled noncomedogenic.7

Can acne spread from your face to your body?

Inflammatory acne does not travel from one body area to another like a contagious infection. The factors behind one breakout can also cause breakouts elsewhere. Acne commonly affects the face, chest and back. Picking or squeezing can damage follicles, push their contents deeper into the skin and cause more inflammation, pain or scarring. Leave spots alone rather than trying to empty them.247

What should you do instead of trying to disinfect your skin?

• Wash gently twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. Frequent washing and scrubbing can irritate skin and make acne worse.
• Remove makeup before bed. If skin feels dry, use a fragrance free, water based moisturizer.
• Choose skincare and makeup labelled noncomedogenic, meaning less likely to block pores. Products labelled noncomedogenic are less likely to block pores, which is a more useful job description than most beauty slogans.
• Ask a pharmacist about treatment for mild acne, including benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Use acne treatments as directed rather than trying to dry out your skin with rubbing alcohol or astringents.

How long should treatment take, and when should you get help?

Use the same acne treatment for 6 to 8 weeks to look for improvement; fuller clearing can take several months. See a doctor for deep, painful lumps, lots of spots, scarring, acne that is not improving with treatment, or acne affecting your mental health. Do not wait for mild acne treatments to work if you already have deep, painful breakouts. Hot, swollen and red skin can signal a skin infection and also needs medical assessment; redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin. If you are unsure whether your spots are acne, a doctor or dermatologist can examine them.467