What should you do about acne?
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore what causes acne, who gets it, and what the evidence says about the best treatments.
Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing.
In this episode, they turn their attention to acne, a condition that affects most people at some point in their lives, yet remains surrounded by myths and misinformation.
Joined by Professor Tess McPherson, Consultant Dermatologist at Oxford University Hospitals, they explore what causes acne, why it is so common during the teenage years, and why it can continue well into adulthood. The conversation also covers the treatments available, from over-the-counter products to prescription medicines, including what the evidence tells us about their benefits and risks.
If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk
Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Professor Tess McPherson
Producer: Dr Samara Linton
Researcher: Grace Revill
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Jo Rowntree
Visual Producer: Leon Gower
Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby
At the 麻豆社:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
A Loftus Media production for 麻豆社 Radio 4
On radio
Broadcast
- Tue 13 Oct 2026 16:30麻豆社 Radio 4
Podcast
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What's Up Docs?
Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.