Which skin condition is characterized by the presence of blackheads and whiteheads?

The condition characterized by the presence of blackheads and whiteheads is non-inflammatory acne. This type of acne does not involve inflammation and primarily presents as comedones, which are clogged hair follicles. Blackheads occur when the clogged pore remains open at the surface, allowing it to oxidize and turn black due to exposure to air. Whiteheads, on the other hand, form when the clogged pore is closed, resulting in a flesh-colored bump.

Non-inflammatory acne is commonly seen in adolescents and young adults, but can also affect individuals of any age. It is important to distinguish this condition from more inflammatory types of acne that involve redness, swelling, and pus-filled lesions.

The other conditions listed include elements of inflammation or different symptoms that set them apart from non-inflammatory acne. Pustular acne, for instance, involves pustules that are inflamed and often painful. Acne vulgaris encompasses both non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne, while acne rosacea refers to a chronic inflammatory condition typically affecting the cheeks and nose, characterized by redness and often accompanied by visible blood vessels, but it does not prominently feature blackheads and whiteheads.