Acne, which forms when natural skin oils combine with dead skin cells and bacteria, affects between 40 and 50 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If you’re tired of the seemingly endless cycle of clearing up and breaking out, you probably haven’t found the most effective method of maintaining your skin. No single “miracle” treatment can quickly clear up acne for good, but a combination of healthy skincare habits and the proper medication can make a big difference.
Step 1
Wash your face twice daily with lukewarm water and a gentle acne-formulated cleanser. Over-washing can dry out your skin and then cause oil production to go into overdrive, and many soaps’ chemicals can irritate your skin and exacerbate your acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. When washing your face, slowly rub the cleanser into a lather, because harsh scrubbing can also aggravate acne.
Step 2
Exfoliate once or twice per week. Exfoliating can reduce the amount of dead skin cells and debris that clog pores and cause acne, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. To avoid irritating your already-inflamed skin, skip the body scrubs that have large grains. Chemical exfoliants, such as chemical peels, contain active ingredients such as salicylic acid and alpha-hydroxy acids. These can be gentler on your skin if you use them in conjunction with a moisturizer.
Step 3
Apply an over-the-counter acne lotion. You have many to choose from, including lotions with benzoyl peroxide, lotions with sulfur, lotions with salicylic acid and lotions with alpha hydroxy acids. If you’re not sure where to begin, The Mayo Clinic recommends beginning with a lower-strength product which contains benzoyl peroxide, as this ingredient tends to be effective and well-tolerated by most. For more aggressive acne you may want to try combining treatments and gradually increasing their strength and frequency, says The Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Apply only cosmetics labeled “noncomedogenic” and “nonacnegenic.” These products are oil-free and won’t clog your pores, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Step 5
Clean your hands and other objects before they touch your face. This will help combat the spread of bacteria to your face and reduce your chances of having irritated and inflamed pores, according to The Nemours Foundation. Besides your hands, objects that commonly touch your face may include your glasses nose piece, your cell phone and your bicycle chin strap.
Step 6
Talk to your dermatologist about acne prescriptions. She may prescribe a stronger form of a topical medication, such as a retinoid, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. She may also suggest a medication that works inside your body, such as antibiotics or birth control pills, or recommend a combination of the two treatments, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Things You'll Need
- Gentle facial cleanser
- Over-the-counter acne lotion
- Chemical exfoliant
- Hand soap
- "Noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" cosmetics
Member Comments