The seemingly poreless Taylor Swift in Allure's December 2010 issue

We know from experience: Acne is persistent, recurrent and can be really depressing and make you feel unattractive. It’s also a bitch to treat. Luckily, science is making great strides in this area.

We chatted with Dr. Eric Schweiger, a dermatologist and founder of the Clear Clinic in NYC, to learn about the present and future of acne treatment. From crustaceans (yup, really) to Star Trek-worthy lasers to killer viruses, here’s the latest in fighting acne.