Objective To approch acne characteristics and to facilitate its treatment by comparing the skin physiology function of patients with acne and healthy individuals.Methods Forty patients with acne and 40 healthy controls were included into this study.Cutometer,Sebumeter,Corneometer,Tewameter,and Mexameter were used,respectively,to measure the skin elasticity,sebum,water,t rans-epidermis water loss and red pigment index in the following facial areas:forehead,lateral canthus,right and left cheek,right and left U-zone.Results A significant increase was observed in the level of sebum in the forehead,right and left cheek of patients as compared with controls (P＜ 0.05).A significant decrease was observed in the level of water in the right and left cheek and U-zone of patients compared with controls (P＜0.05).A significant decrease was observed in the level of trans-epidermis water loss in the right and left cheek and forehead of patients compared with controls (P＜0.05).A significant increase was observed in the level of red pigment index in the right and left cheek,forehead,right and left U-zone of patients compared with controls (P＜0.05).However,the level of skin elasticity was of no significant difference between the patients and controls (P＞0.05).Conclusions Compared with the controls facial sebum secretion is increased with reduced skin barrier function in patients with acne.