Treatment FAQ

acne treatment which is best

by Prof. Mohammad Marquardt Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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While it is advised to consult with your doctor around dietary guidance and curating the proper beauty regimen, our experts share that salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and topical retinoids like adapalene are the most effective ingredients to treat and prevent acne.May 5, 2022

Medication

  • Isotretinoin (Accutane®): Most effective but comes with major and potentially lifelong side effects
  • Oral Antibiotics: Somewhat effective in some people in the short term, but with side effects
  • Corticosteroids: Effective in the short term, but with side effects
  • Hormonal Treatment [females only]: Moderately effective, but with side effects

Procedures

The Best Skin Care Products For Adult Acne, According To Dermatologists

  • CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser. ...
  • Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. ...
  • Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam. ...
  • Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser. ...
  • CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser. ...
  • CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser. ...
  • SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Gel Cleanser. ...
  • PCA Skincare Pigment Bar. ...
  • The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%. ...

More items...

Therapy

Top 10 Best Age Spot Removers 2021. 1. Best Overall Age Spot Remover: InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum. 2. Best Age Spot Remover for Sensitive Skin: TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face. 3. Best Age Spot Removal Serum: Yeouth Retinol Serum With Hyaluronic Acid. 4.

Self-care

What Is the Best Treatment for Acne?

  • Starting out with skincare. The first step in controlling acne is implementing good skincare habits. ...
  • Over-the-counter and topical acne treatment. There are lots of over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments available at your local pharmacy. ...
  • Oral medications. ...
  • Medical procedures for acne treatment. ...

Nutrition

What is the most effective treatment for acne?

What are the best skin care products for acne?

What is the best acne spot remover?

How to find the best OTC medication for acne?

See more

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How to get rid of pimples on face?

First, ice the area, and then apply salicylic acid gel, benzoyl peroxide gel, and one-percent hydrocortisone cream. The combo will calm skin, kill bacteria, and draw out excess oil from the pimple — all things necessary to take this down, says Zeichner.

How long does it take for a shot of cortisone to shrink?

Otherwise, Zeichner suggests visiting your dermatologist for a shot of cortisone, which will reduce inflammation and shrink it in just 24 to 48 hours. But if a last-minute appointment isn't in the cards, go ahead and play mad scientist.

Do Hogwarts have acne?

No, they're not things you'd find growing on the grounds of Hogwarts (though they sound like it). These are a type of inflammatory acne, and they're the work of bacteria. "Growth of the bacteria p. acnes on the skin promotes inflammation, causing acne bumps to become red and tender," says Zeichner.

Is acne created equal?

All acne is not created equal. This makes perfect sense, seeing as there are so many factors — i.e. hygiene, hormones, and genetics — that can both lead to and exacerbate your breakouts. But knowledge is power, and just knowing that there are different types and that each kind requires its own plan of attack puts you ahead of the clear-skin curve.

What is the best medicine for acne?

Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin). A macrolide might be an option for people who can't take tetracyclines, including pregnant women and children under 8 years old.

How to prevent acne breakouts?

Protect your acne-prone skin from contact with items such as phones, helmets, tight collars or straps, and backpacks. Avoid touching or picking acne-prone areas. Doing so can trigger more acne or lead to infection or scarring. Shower after strenuous activities. Oil and sweat on your skin can lead to breakouts.

What are some examples of retinoid creams?

These come as creams, gels and lotions. Examples include tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage, others).

What to do if you have acne that is not responding to self care?

Early, effective treatment of acne reduces the risk of scarring and of lasting damage to your self-esteem. After an initial examination, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions (dermatologist).

How long does it take for acne to go away?

Make scars less noticeable. Acne medications work by reducing oil production and swelling or by treating bacterial infection. With most prescription acne drugs, you may not see results for four to eight weeks.

How to avoid acne?

You can try to avoid or control mild or moderate acne with nonprescription products, good basic skin care and other self-care techniques: Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. Twice a day, use your hands to wash your face with mild soap or a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil, Vanicream, others) and warm water.

Can isotretinoin cause acne?

It may be prescribed for people whose moderate or severe acne hasn't responded to other treatments. Potential side effects of oral isotretinoin include inflammatory bowel disease, depression and severe birth defects. All people receiving isotretinoin must participate in an FDA -approved risk management program.

How long can you wear pimple patches?

These types of pimple patches are great to occlude a spot and reduce inflammation.”. Marino added they can be worn for eight hours so they’re ideal to wear overnight, but since they are clear, many people can get away with them during the day, too.

What is the best way to treat a deep cystic spot?

“This is my go-to 911 spot treatment for deep, cystic spots,” Marino said. “The KILLA comes with an antiseptic swab to prep the area before applying the sticker. The stickers have micro darts which help to flood the spot with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients and are best used at the first sign of a breakout. These types of pimple patches are great to occlude a spot and reduce inflammation.”

Does Adapalene work on the face?

This can be used on the whole face, but works exceptionally well as a spot treatment. It won’t work overnight, but it will work after a few days for spot reduction!”.

What is the best treatment for cystic acne?

This cult-favorite cystic acne treatment from celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau uses ethyl lactate to purify your pores, methyl gluceth 20, which helps with inflammation, and citric acid to help with hyperpigmentation and scarring. Apply it immediately when you feel a cyst developing, and it will help reduce the inflammation and duration of the blemish.

What is the best serum for acne?

Aloe vera is a naturally derived ingredient known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. The aloe plant's inner gel mucilage (the part that's used in skincare products) is made up of 99.5% water. This clarifying serum is 100% natural and plant-based to gently calm irritated and acne-prone skin.

What is sulfur based acne cream?

Key Ingredients. Sulfur is a natural element that is an essential component for all living cells. Sulfur-based products tend to work best for mild-to-moderate acne, primarily whiteheads, blackheads, and papules. Ask any woman who’s ever struggled with acne and she’ll at least have heard of this cult acne-fighter.

What is Paula's choice exfoliant?

Grab this Paula's Choice spray-on body exfoliant, which contains 2% salicylic acid to fight blemishes, bumps, and blackheads, as well as licorice root (to calm irritated skin) and barberry (which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory). This product is also alcohol-free and dries quickly, so you can spray it on and go.

What is the best way to get rid of acne breakouts?

From there, peppermint oil, which is antiseptic and anti-microbial, cools and calms the skin, and apple cider vinegar, which is anti-bacterial, helps prevent further breakouts. For clearer skin in the morning, apply to a problem area before you snooze.

How to use bentonite clay on face?

Not only is this cult product a major bargain, but it works like magic for super-oily problem skin. Mix the bentonite clay-based formula with water (or apple cider vinegar) and apply it to your face like a mask —the clay will soak up excess oils and debris, leaving your face feeling soft, fresh, and clean.

Is it inevitable to have breakouts in 2021?

Breakouts are inevitable, but especially during times of stress. So, it's no surprise 2021 has led to it's fair share of pimples cropping up on our (usually masked) faces.

What is the best acne treatment for chest?

"It helps to keep the pores open, ridding them of clogging sebum and bacteria ," she tells Allure. Did we mention it's won three Best of Beauty Awards to date? It simply works.

What is the best body spray for acne?

AcneFree's Salicylic Acid Body Spray is another easy-to-use mist that combines the exfoliating powers of salicylic and glycolic acids to blast through clogged pores and prevent future breakouts. (As a refresher, glycolic accounts for the smallest and most easily penetrable of all of the skin-care acids.)

Why is my back acne so bad?

One of the reasons why back acne is such an annoyance is that it can pop up in hard-to-reach areas. If no one's around to help, don't sweat it. Versed's superfine Back-Up Plan Acne-Control Body Mist is super easy to use and covers a lot of area with each spray. A mild yet effective team of two percent salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and witch hazel fights acne-causing bacteria, reigns in excess oil production, and soothes redness. As long as you give it 30 to 60 seconds to sink in, you're good to go — no staining or sticky residue to be found.

What is back acne?

For example, "back acne [comes from] the inconvenient and unfortunate cycle of clogged pores, inflammation, and poor skin turnover," says Texas-based, board-certified dermatologist Heidi Prather, who explains that back acne can appear as small blackheads, inflammatory pustules, or sometimes deep, tender cystic lesions.

What is Paula's choice weightless body treatment?

If you're a fan of leave-on treatments, then the Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA will be right up your alley. This silky, lightweight lotion keeps working hard overnight to provide gentle exfoliation and shed built-up layers of dead skin cells, so you're left with smoother, softer skin upon waking up. Best yet, two percent salicylic acid is accompanied by a squad of soothing ingredients like allantoin, bisabolol, and vitamin E to keep skin looking and feeling calm.

Does Cerave SA lotion have salicylic acid?

(However, he points out that CeraVe doesn't disclose the concentration of salicylic acid present.) Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides round out the skin-hugging formula to ensure all-day and/or all-night hydration.

Is acne a face centric problem?

Pinterest. Email. While acne is typically considered a face- centric frustration, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't experienced a pimple or two — or doz ens — somewhere south of the ne ck. Fortunately, the best body acne treatments are only a few clicks or taps away. Clothing may make body breakouts easier to conceal, ...

What is the best way to remove acne?

Benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient kills the bacteria that cause acne, helps remove excess oil from the skin and removes dead skin cells, which can clog pores. OTC benzoyl peroxide products are available in strengths from 2.5 to 10 percent. Possible side effects include dry skin, scaling, redness, burning and stinging, ...

How to treat acne with different ingredients?

Acne ingredients work in different ways, so you may find it helpful to use varying products and ingredients to treat stubborn acne. Apply one product in the morning and a different one at night to prevent skin irritation . Be patient.

How does OTC acne work?

Acne products work in different ways, depending on their active ingredients. Some OTC acne products work by killing the bacteria that cause acne inflammation. Others remove excess oil from the skin or speed up the growth of new skin cells and the removal of dead skin cells. Some acne products do a combination of these things.

How to get rid of acne on face?

Start with lower strength acne products. This can help minimize redness, dry skin and other skin problems. If needed, slowly — over several weeks — increase the strength of the product you use and how often you use it. This helps your skin adjust to the treatment gradually.

What is OTC acne?

Many over-the-counter (OTC) acne products are available to treat mild to moderate acne or periodic breakouts. They include cleansing lotions, gels, foams and towelettes, leave-on products, and treatments or kits. How do you know which one is best for you?

How long does it take for acne to get better?

Treating acne with acne products takes time and patience. It may take two or three months of daily use of an acne product to see results. And acne may look worse before it gets better. Experiment with what works. You may need to try different products with varying active ingredients before you find what works for you.

How does sulfur help with acne?

This helps improve the appearance of acne scars and gives the impression of smaller pores. Sulfur. Sulfur removes dead skin cells that clog pores and helps remove excess oil.

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Treatment

Alternative Medicine

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Coping and Support

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Chaitra Prakash
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment depends on the age, type, and severity of acne.
Medication

Retinoids: Prevent clogging of hair follicles. Prescribed as topical or oral medication. To be taken under physician supervision only.

Tretinoin . Adapalene . Isotretinoin


Antibiotics: Prevent spread of bacterial infection. Prescribed as topical and oral medication.

Azithromycin . Tetracycline . Amoxicillin


Keratolytic agents: Promote skin exfoliation. Prescribed as topical agents.

Salicylic acid


Dicarboxylic acids: Reduces bacterial infection and inflammation. Prescribed as topical agents.

Azelaic acid


Sulfones: Reduces inflammation. Prescribed as topical or oral agents. Recommended in some cases.

Dapsone


Oral contraceptives: Helps control hormonal acne in women. Prescribed as oral agents. Recommended in some cases.

Estrogen/Progestin


Antiandrogens: Prevents the effect of androgen on oil glands in the skin. Prescribed as oral agents. Prescribed as oral agents. Recommended in some cases.

Spironolactone


Corticosteroids: Reduces inflammation. Prescribed as topical, oral or injection forms in severe acne.

Cortisone . Triamcinolone

Procedures

Extraction of pimples: Special tools are used to clear clogged pores, particularly whiteheads and blackheads.

Therapy

Phototherapy - Intense pulsed light:Reduces inflammation. Uses fixed frequency light to treat affected parts of skin under physician supervision.

Chemical peel:Promotes exfoliation and prevents clogging of hair follicles. Involves application of chemical agents (Alpha and beta hydroxy acids) on skin under physician supervision.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Clean the affected area with a gentle cleanser.
  • Avoid contact with irritants.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Low glycemic diet such as fruit, vegetables, pulses, fish etc
  • Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as canola oil, cod liver oil, flaxseed oil and mustard oil

Foods to avoid:

  • High glycemic load diet, such as chocolates, sugary foods, white rice
  • Dairy products such as white bread, milk, cheese

Specialist to consult

Dermatologist
Specializes in the study of the skin and its disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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