Does your acne tend to crop up in clusters? It can be kind of alarming, especially if you're used to dealing with one pimple at a time. At any rate, we've got you covered: We spoke to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD to get the skinny on acne clusters (and how to treat them).

"There are a range of factors that can cause acne to occur in clusters," explains Dr. Engelman. "Acne that is localized along the forehead, at the hairline, or temples, can be caused by hair products that contain comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients. Hormonal acne tends to occur on the lower face or jawline."

According to Dr. Engelman, finding the right skin care ingredients is key when it comes to tackling acne clusters. These include tried-and-true breakout busters such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and other exfoliating acids, all of which will help to clear the surface of the skin of pore-clogging oil, dirt and makeup.

Another pro-tip? "Try to avoid picking at or popping your acne, as this can increase inflammation, cause more clustered acne, and lead to longer term negative effects like hyperpigmentation," warns Dr. Engelman.

So, ready to kick those acne clusters to the curb? Here are some of our favorite acne treatments and skin care products for the job.

Image via Imaxtree

This spot treatment which utilizes anti-acne (and exfoliating) ingredients like salicylic acid to keep the skin clear.

And while many spot treatments can be drying, this treatment adds moisturizing vitamin B5 to the formula to prevent the skin from flaking or drying out.

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Moisturizers also play a big role in keeping breakouts under control. An article published by The American Academy of Dermatology, for example, revealed that using moisturizers can be particularly helpful in preventing dryness caused by acne medications.

Still, it's important to choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic option, such as this one. This airy cream is jam-packed with natural oils and extracts such as green tea seed oil, sea lavender, and rosehip seed extract.

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Royal jelly is super hydrating and it has natural antibacterial properties, which makes it a great match for acne-prone skin. It's safe to say acne clusters won't stand a chance against this pore hydrator, which uses royal jelly as one of its primary ingredients!

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Trade in your go-to daily face wash for this calming cleansing gel, which puts acne-fighting ingredients like willowbark and blessed thistle to good use.

And in addition to taming breakouts, this cleanser is also great for removing stubborn makeup and environmental pollution, making it a great multiasking product you can use for all your skin care woes.

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