Classifying Acne

Recognizing different grades of acne severity

For being such a common skin problem, acne itself can be very complex, from its causes to treatment. You’ve probably also noticed that everyone’s acne is different. That’s because there are different types and stages of acne. Acne will even be different at different life periods.

Knowing about your acne type, stage, and severity will help you determine the best, most customized treatment for your skin.

Determining Your Acne Severity There isn’t a universal way to classify acne severity. That means every skin care professional classifies acne in a slightly different way.

Many dermatologists use grades (I through IV, with I being the mildest and IV being the most severe). But the most widely used, and simplest, way of classifying acne is fairly straightforward: mild, moderate, and severe.

There’s no test to determine your acne severity. A dermatologist does so by a simple visual inspection of your skin. Your skin can move between these grades because acne tends to wax and wane on its own.1