An estimated 85 percent of teenagers have acne; about 25 percent will be left with acne scarring. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that 20 percent of adults suffer from breakouts. Only about 11 percent of those with acne will go to a doctor and seek help for their skin condition. While acne can have a variety of causes, from hormones to genetics, medications and environmental pollutants, having a good treatment routine can keep your breakouts in check and minimize the possibility of acne scarring.
Step 1
Shower each morning using a mild soap like Dove or Ivory. Researchers from the Japanese Society of Physiological Anthropology published an article in 2008 indicating that washing with soap and water can reduce the amount of moisture and oil in your skin for up to four hours.
Step 2
Exfoliate your skin two or three times a week. Exfoliators, also known as skin scrubs, are cleansers or gels made with an abrasive agent. They work by removing dead skin cells and loosening clogged pores. You can use an exfoliator on your face, shoulders, back and chest.
Step 3
Use a spot treatment. Benzoyl peroxide, which comes in formulations of 2.5, 5 and 10 percent, works by killing the bacteria that cause acne. The Mayo Clinic explains that alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid and glycolic acid work by reducing inflammation and stimulating the growth of new, smooth skin. They can also reduce the appearance of scars caused by acne.
Step 4
Keep your skin moisturized. Acne medications can dry and irritate skin. Use an oil-free moisturizer. You can also add a few drops of jojoba oil to sunscreen to keep flaking and dryness at bay.
Step 5
Before bed, use an astringent containing salicylic acid. Salicylic acid slows the shedding of cells inside hair follicles and prevents pores from clogging. It can also help break down whiteheads and blackheads, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Tips and Warnings
- The Mayo Clinic reports that it could take four to six weeks before you start to see results after beginning a new acne-treatment routine. If after this time you’re not seeing any improvement, you can talk to your physician about trying a prescription medication. Despite popular belief, TeensHealth reports that eating chocolate and greasy foods will not cause acne. You can buy concealers made with benzoyl peroxide or tinted benzoyl peroxide to cover red, inflamed pimples. Buy cosmetics labeled nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic.
- Exfoliating daily could irritate your skin, cause drying and redness. If your exfoliator is too abrasive, you can make a homemade skin scrub using three parts baking soda to one part water. If your skin worsens, or does not respond to treatment, call your doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Mild soap
- Exfoliator
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Alpha hydroxy lotion
- Moisturizer or jojoba oil
- Salicylic acid astringent
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