Which type of acne is characterized by inflammation and the presence of blackheads and whiteheads?

The type of acne characterized by inflammation and the presence of blackheads and whiteheads is acne vulgaris. This form of acne is the most common and often emerges during adolescence due to hormonal changes that promote increased oil (sebum) production and clogged hair follicles.

Acne vulgaris can manifest in several ways, including open comedones (blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads), as well as inflammatory lesions like papules, pustules, and sometimes nodules or cysts in more severe cases. The blackheads result from a combination of excess oil and dead skin cells that block hair follicles, while whiteheads occur when these blockages remain beneath the skin surface.

The other types of acne listed do not typically feature both inflammation and the comedonal forms that define acne vulgaris. Acne cysts generally refer to larger, more painful, and deeper inflammatory lesions. Hormonal acne is usually tied to fluctuations in hormones and may not always present as blackheads and whiteheads specifically. Acne rosacea is a different skin condition altogether, as it primarily involves facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes pustules, but does not feature the same types of lesions associated with acne vulgaris.