Both Acne and Rosacea cause redness, bumps, and pustules on the face, however, redness associated with acne tends to be located just around the pimple while the redness for rosacea typically covers a large area. Also, acne features more blackheads and clogged pores than rosacea. Acne is most common in teenagers and young adults while Rosacea most frequently affects adults over 30.
Rosacea and acne can be easily confused and there are many overlapping features. However, rosacea patients also tend to suffer from flushing with certain activities, foods, and alcohol. Acne patients do not typically suffer from these symptoms. Occasionally, acne can be temporarily related to puberty or less commonly pregnancy. Here are some ways to distinguish the two conditions:
Acne and rosacea can affect similar areas. Rosacea mainly affects the skin on the face, however, acne can also be found on additional areas like the back, chest, and shoulders.
Treatments for severe Rosacea and Acne are mainly medical and there are a large number of effective treatments and dietary modifications. Treatment varies based on the severity and location of the area affected. Redness and blood vessels associated with Rosacea can be treated very effectively with lasers.