- Royal Tunbridge Wells sees biggest rise in searches for acne, increasing by 21.1%
- Plymouth comes second with 20.7%, followed by Blackpool with 19.5%
- Cambridge sees biggest drop in searches with 19.3%
- Top acne treatment tips from an expert dermatologist at The Devonshire Clinic
- Further data available upon request
Royal Tunbridge Wells is leading the way in acne awareness.
A new search engine analysis by expert dermatologists at The Devonshire Clinic has revealed an 21.1% rise in searches for acne in the area.
In the year to October 2023 acne and 773 related keywords were searched an average of 3,890 times a month, but this rose to 4,710 in the year to October 2024.
Plymouth saw the second biggest rise, just behind, with 20.7%, followed by Blackpool with 19.5%.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Birmingham rounded out the top 5 with 18% and 16.3% respectively.
| Location | Nov 22 – Oct 23 | Nov 23 – Oct 24 | % Change |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells | 3,890 | 4,710 | 21.1 |
| Plymouth | 7,820 | 9,440 | 20.7 |
| Blackpool | 5,500 | 6,570 | 19.5 |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | 9,540 | 11,260 | 18 |
| Birmingham | 26,310 | 30,610 | 16.3 |
At the other end of the table, Cambridge saw the biggest drop at 19.3%
Exeter saw the second biggest loss with 15.4%, followed closely by Nottingham with a 15.3% reduction.
Carlisle and Canterbury rounded out the bottom 5 with 11.8% and 10.4% drops respectively.
| Location | Nov 22 – Oct 23 | Nov 23 – Oct 24 | % Change |
| Canterbury | 6,130 | 5,490 | -10.4 |
| Carlisle | 4,920 | 4,340 | -11.8 |
| Nottingham | 8,180 | 6,930 | -15.3 |
| Exeter | 6,900 | 5,840 | -15.4 |
| Cambridge | 6,890 | 5,560 | -19.3 |
When compared to the rest of the UK, England saw the biggest rise overall at 12.6%.
| Location | Nov 22 – Oct 23 | Nov 23 – Oct 24 | % Change |
| England | 766,380 | 863,230 | 12.6 |
| Scotland | 61,710 | 69,270 | 12.3 |
| Wales | 32,720 | 36,570 | 11.8 |
| Northern Ireland | 24,150 | 25,320 | 4.8 |
Dermatologist Dr Conal Perrett, from The Devonshire Clinic, who conducted the research, had these top tips for treating acne:
“Gentle Cleansing Twice Daily: Wash your face with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser in the morning and evening to remove excess oil, dirt, and bacteria without irritating your skin.
“Use Over-the-Counter Topical Treatments: Apply products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to help reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and fight acne-causing bacteria.
“Avoid Picking or Squeezing Pimples: Refrain from touching or picking at acne lesions to prevent scarring and further infection.”
