Is this cystic acne?

[BoswellsBollocks]

I have a patch of reddened skin on my cheek which started off in May as a spot but kind of grew and was red around it. The skin then got lumpy and quite sore to the touch before going back to just a small patch of red skin.

It’s suddenly flared up again so it is lumpy and sore. It’s the only one on my otherwise blemish free skin. I’ve never had acne of any kind before and usually I’m lucky with my skin.

What can I put on it to help the soreness and clear it up?

It's hard to tell without seeing a picture but I would go to a dermatologist. I occasionally get acne and find la Roche posay effeclar duo works but everyone's skin is different.

First photo is early June when it was a bit lumpy.

Second photo was on Thursday when it was just a slight red patch.

Third taken today looking inflamed and feeling sore.

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I've had acne / cystic acne since my early teens (now late 30s!). Had roaccutane which helped a lot but it's not all gone. A good skincare routine is needed really, as prevention is better than trying to "dry out" individual spots. There's usually a long skincare thread running on the S&B board, will try to find a link.

This is the thread. They totally helped me sort my skin out.

@AwdBovril thank you, I’ll have a good look through that thread.