Here’s one that people often misunderstand: subclinical acne. Let’s unpack what this subgroup really means, what it looks like, and how to treat the pesky bumps. “They are nonpainful and usually do not lead to scarring or skin discoloration,” says Ife Rodney, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eternal Dermatology. “[In dermatology], you’ll hear the term comedonal acne rather than subclinical acne.” The flesh-colored bumps never seem to come to a “head,” but they can progress into pimples or pustules if they become inflamed—which can happen if they’re left untreated. And while this type of acne can crop up anywhere you have pores, Rodney says they tend to appear on the forehead, chin, and nose (where people tend to accrue the most oil), as well as the chest, back, or shoulders. King seconds the advice: “It exfoliates the surface of the skin and penetrates into pores to remove oil. This helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged and can help remove clogs that have already formed.” Slather on a cleanser, mask, or leave-on treatment with the BHA—just be mindful not to overexfoliate, as this can cause those bumps to form. It may take a bit of detective work to decipher which products you should probably avoid, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind. Don’t forget about makeup and hair care products, too!
