Treatment FAQ

what is the best acne treatment for me

by Dr. Rudy Christiansen V Published 2 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

When using acne products:

  • Wash problem areas twice daily. Use a gentle nonsoap cleanser and don't overdo it. ...
  • Try cleansing cloths or towelettes. ...
  • Consider pore-clearing adhesive pads. ...
  • Don't use too much. ...
  • Use an oil-free, water-based moisturizer. ...
  • Avoid oily cosmetics, sunscreens and hair products. ...
  • Don't pick or squeeze blemishes. ...
  • Watch what touches your face. ...

Procedures

“ Benzoyl peroxide is perhaps the most effective treatment we have,” explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist. Unlike salicylic acid, which removes the dead skin cells that are clogging your pores, benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria, so even the toughest, most painful inflamed pimples surrender to BP.

Therapy

The acne treatments on this list are based on:

  • recommendations from board certified dermatologists
  • ingredients proven to be effective in treating acne
  • customer reviews

Self-care

  • Wash twice a day and after sweating. ...
  • Use your fingertips to apply a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. ...
  • Be gentle with your skin. ...
  • Scrubbing your skin can make acne worse. ...
  • Rinse with lukewarm water
  • Shampoo regularly. ...
  • Let your skin heal naturally. ...
  • Keep your hands off your face. ...
  • Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. ...

More items...

Nutrition

What is the best over the counter acne treatment?

What is the number one acne treatment?

What are the best acne treatment brands?

How to find a good dermatologist for acne?

See more

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How do I know which acne treatment is best for me?

Choosing an effective acne productBegin with benzoyl peroxide. If you're not sure which acne product to buy, start with one that contains benzoyl peroxide. ... Start with lower strength acne products. ... Use products with different active ingredients to treat stubborn acne. ... Be patient. ... Experiment with what works.

What is the most powerful treatment for acne?

Isotretinoin is a powerful drug that's used to treat the most severe cases of acne. Your doctor may recommend this drug if you have severe acne that doesn't get better with other medications, including antibiotics.

What is the best acne treatment brand?

Best for Clogged Pores: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum. ... Best Retinoid: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment. 4.8. ... Best Patch: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch. 4.8. ... Best Spot Treatment: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. ... Best Mask: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. ... Best for Blackheads: Glossier Solution.

What vitamin helps with acne?

Washing the face daily, especially before bed or after a sweaty workout, will help kill bacteria and clear off dead skin cells. Vitamins can give the skin the extra boost needed to fight acne. Vitamin A, D, zinc, and omega-3s are the most widely used vitamins for treating acne.

How do dermatologists get rid of acne?

Topical treatments, which you can get over the counter or through a dermatologist are one way to treat acne. Look for products with benzoyl peroxide, since it can help the skin topically. "Benzoyl peroxide helps kill acne-causing bacteria and unclog the pore.

Does vitamin C help with acne?

Vitamin C contains anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce the redness and swelling that comes with acne. The results are more pronounced when you use the vitamin topically. It, therefore, helps improve the appearance of acne wounds. It may help reduce hyperpigmentation.

How do I know if my acne is hormonal or bacterial?

You can tell if acne is hormonal or bacteria by its severity if flare-ups occur during hormonal imbalances, and whether topical treatments resolve the issues, or if systemic medications are needed.

How get rid acne fast?

6 Ways to Get Rid of Pimples Fast. ... Apply Ice to the Pimple: ... Apply a Paste of Crushed Aspirin to the Pimple. ... Use An Over-the-Counter Acne Spot Treatment. ... Use Makeup with Salicylic Acid to Conceal Pimples. ... Apply a Face Mask for Acne. ... Get a Cortisone Injection to Quickly Get Rid of a Pimple.

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.

What is the best acne treatment for a mild acne?

Below are the best acne treatments for occasional, mild, and some moderate acne. 1. Salicylic acid. Oh, hello, old friend. Salicylic acid is the go-to fix for pimply preteens. And cruising through the aisles at the drugstore, you’ll find it as the active ingredient on the majority of products labeled “acne wash” or “spot treatment.”.

What is the best birth control for acne?

Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep, and YAZ are all FDA-approved as acne treatments. 13. Spironalactone. Sometimes birth control alone isn’t enough to really make a difference in hormonal acne.

What grade is acne?

First, your derm will examine your skin to determine the severity of your acne to give it a grade (grade 1 is mild; grade 4 is severe) and figure out which type (or types) you have, the AAD explains. Then, they’ll see which type of treatment would work best: topical or oral (or both).

Does retinoid cream help with acne?

You’ve probably heard of the benefits of retinoid creams for antiaging, but these forms of vitamin are also efficient at clearing up acne. “ [Retinoids] cause skin cells to turn over at a faster rate, decrease oil production, and help skin exfoliate,” board-certified dermatologist Rita Linkner, M.D., tells SELF. Another benefit: Acne is inflammation, and retinoids are anti-inflammatory.

Can antibiotics help with acne?

A dermatologist can prescribe oral antibiotics to help with acne, but it’s not typically the first choice. While you might see immediate results, the acne will return as soon as you get off of the antibiotics. And Linkner warns, “While you’re on them, [you can get] yeast infections, nausea, upset stomach.”.

Can a dermatologist help with acne?

But finding the right treatment for you is part of acne self-care, and with the help of your dermatologist, you can find an acne treatment regimen that’s best for your skin. And yes, it really is helpful to work with a derm to get it right—especially if your acne is more than occasional or mild.

Can acne be in your 20s?

But adult acne is a thing, and it’s actually something that can affect people in their 20s and 30s, and even well past their 50s. And if you thought blackheads and whiteheads were annoying, the deep painful pimples that often pop up in adult acne are much more aggravating—and harder to get rid of.

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.

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 treatment for acne?

Some people use natural treatments like tea tree oil (works like benzoyl peroxide, but slower) or alpha hydroxy acids (remove dead skin and unclog pores) for their acne care. Not much is known about how well many of these treatments work and their long-term safety.

What to do for acne?

For more serious acne, your doctor may prescribe: Antibiotics to kill bacteria. Birth control pills for women with acne due to hormones. Isotretinoin to help you make less oil. You may need a combination of oral medicine and a cream or lotion. Don’t stop using your treatments if your skin clears.

How to treat a swollen face?

A skin doctor (dermatologist) can help. They might suggest a cream, lotion, gel, or soap that contains ingredients that can help. Many can be bought without a prescription: 1 Aldactone ( Spironolactone) blocks excess hormones. 2 Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria and removes extra oil. 3 Clascoterone (Winlevi) is topical treatment that blocks hormones that cause acne 4 Resorcinol is an exfoliant to help unclog blackheads and whiteheads. 5 Salicylic acid keeps pores from getting clogged. 6 Sulfur removes dead skin cells.

What is the best acne treatment without a prescription?

Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria and removes extra oil. Clascoterone (Winlevi) is topical treatment that blocks hormones that cause acne. Resorcinol is an exfoliant to help unclog blackheads and whiteheads.

How to get rid of acne on face?

Keep your hair, hands, and phone off your face. For men, shaving can irritate your skin and make acne worse. Try an electric razor, or be very careful with a blade.

How does acne affect people?

They can affect your mood and make you self-conscious. Acne happens when a pore gets clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It can affect people of all ages. But there are treatments that can help. The trick is finding what works best for you.

Where do acne pimples show up?

It often appears as an outbreak of pimples on your face. But it can also show up on your chest, neck, back, or shoulders.

Starting out with skincare

The first step in controlling acne is implementing good skincare habits. This means washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Wash your face when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed. You should also wash your face again if you get sweaty. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Over-the-counter and topical acne treatment

There are lots of over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments available at your local pharmacy. This could be the best acne treatment for people who have mild-to-moderate acne or infrequent breakouts. When choosing an OTC acne treatment, look at the active ingredients listed on the label.

Oral medications

For acne cases that are moderate to severe, one of the best treatments is oral medication.

Medical procedures for acne treatment

If neither topical nor oral medications have helped to clear up your acne, the next thing to consider is a medical procedure. These can be done in your dermatologist’s office.

Top What Is the Best Treatment for Acne Related Articles

Acne is the most common skin problem that affects more than 80% of people at some point in their life. If not treated properly, it can lead to scars and dark marks on the skin which might take longer to go away.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

Best treatment for teen acne

There are generally two means by which to treat teen acne and pimples: washing your face preemptively with appropriate cleansers and spot treating breakouts when they arise.

Dove Beauty Bar

Mir says acne-sufferers should look for non-comedogenic products because they won’t block pores. This foaming cleanser — recommended by Gohara — is both non-comedogenic and contains zinc pidolate, which has astringent, anti-inflammatory properties shown to improve acne.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser For Normal To Oily Skin

All three dermatologists recommend spot treating pimples, from the second they’re coming on until they’re just about all gone, preferably with a product containing a retinoid, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel

Jaber recommends this tried and true quick-drying formula to those who are allergic to benzoyl peroxide. It contains salicylic acid to fight acne and calamine to calm irritated skin.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, 1 Fl Oz

Believe it or not, over-washing can leave teen skin susceptible to more breakouts. “One of the mistakes I commonly see with teens is they really want to get their skin better, and so they over-dry their skin,” says Jaber. “Dry skin can actually make breakouts worse.”

Don't pop pimples

Though it isn’t the absolute worst thing a teen can do (if the pimple has come to a head), all three dermatologists warn against popping pimples — spot treating them is more effective. “Picking and popping pimples can lead to scarring, because you increase inflammation.

When to see a dermatologist for acne

Gohara says if breakouts leave scars or don’t respond to a regular routine of gentle cleansing, exfoliation and spot treatment, a consultation with a dermatologist might be in order. “Some people need something stronger to manage their acne, like an oral antibiotic,” Gohara says.

What is the best acne treatment for men?

Benzoyl Peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide is the best medical-grade ingredient for men with acne—no need to use prescription benzoyl peroxide or strength of 5% or 10%. Instead, benzoyl peroxide 2.% will provide the maximal effect without irritating the skin and is the best choice for most men with acne.

What is the best skincare routine for adult men with acne prone skin?

What is the best skincare routine for adult men with acne-prone skin? Essential skincare routine for every man , at any age, will include cleansing the face morning and evening, removing the oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin.

How to stop acne breakouts from sweating?

Look for an "oil-free" sunscreen that is water-resistant mad will stay longer on your skin when sweating. Avoid harsh soaps and alcohol-based skincare products. These types of products can damage the natural protective layer of your skin and cause more acne breakouts. Do not squeeze or pick on pimples.

How to use retinol cream for acne?

Beware that when you use a retinol treatment cream, you need to start gradually, twice a week, to let your skin adjust to the medication. Using retinol has an additional bonus – reduction of and prevention of fine wrinkles and improving skin texture. For optimal results, combine retinol with a morning oil-free moisturizer. Using a moisturizer will further help prevent future skin aging and reduce sun sensitivity caused by the retinoids.

What is the most common skin condition that causes pimples?

Acne is the most common skin condition that causes pimples or "zits" and other skin problems. About 70-90% of teens will have acne. Unfortunately, some men keep struggling with acne long after their teen years. One study found that 42.5 percent of men reported experiencing acne during their 20s, 20.1 percent during their 30s, ...

How to protect your skin from oily skin?

Avoid harsh drying, soaps, scrubs, and spinning brushes. Those will hurt the upper skin barrier and will damage the skin. When the skin is clean, one should apply a moisturizer and sunscreen. When the skin is too oily, using sunscreen in the morning is enough. For sunscreens, look for an oil-free type that is water-resistant.

Where does acne appear?

Male acne can also appear on the neck, shoulders, upper arms, and buttocks. The optimal men's skincare routine should include a few essential ingredients. The exact kind of product depends on the age and skin type of every individual. For example, younger men with oily skin would benefit from a more drying cleanser and more potent anti-acne ...

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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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