Acne

Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition in which hair follicles and their attached sebaceous glands become clogged, producing blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.

The condition develops when excess sebum, shed skin cells and bacteria accumulate inside the pilosebaceous unit, the follicle-and-gland structure found across the face, chest and back. Mild cases show mostly comedones, while more inflamed forms produce red papules, pustules and, in severe disease, deeper nodules and cysts that can scar. Hormonal shifts during adolescence are the most familiar trigger, but acne also affects many adults and can be influenced by genetics, stress and certain medications.

A clinician usually diagnoses acne by examining the skin and grading its severity, without laboratory tests. Cannabidiol has been studied in laboratory models of sebaceous cells and inflammation, but human clinical evidence for acne is limited and no approved use exists.