While about 20 million people who suffer from acne have breakouts bad enough to cause scarring, only about 11 percent seek help from a physician or dermatologist. Most breakouts are caused by dirt, oil and bacteria, while cyclical acne is usually caused by hormones. Fortunately, there are proven methods for treating acne---without a doctor's prescription.
Step 1
Wash your face with a facial cleanser containing salicylic acid at least twice a day. Salicylic acid works by cleaning pores and removing oil and bacteria from your skin. Salicylic acid also slows the cells inside the pores from shedding.
Step 2
Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Exfoliators contain an abrasive agent that helps break down built-up oils. Though it's tempting to use an exfoliator more often because it makes your skin feel smooth and clean, it can actually be irritating and cause inflammation.
Step 3
Use an astringent with alcohol and acetone once or twice a week. Alternate between the exfoliator and astringent since both products can be irritating if used too often. An astringent works by clearing up oil deposits in your pores and clearing dirt and bacteria.
Step 4
Apply a spot-on, topical treatment containing benzoyl peroxide if you have bacterial acne. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that cause P. Acne. Benzoyl peroxide also dries and causes your skin to peel, which is believed to help clear breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide is sold in three formulations from 2.5 to 10 percent. It's best to start with the lowest dose and wait to see how your skin reacts. You can increase the dose once you know how the medication affects your skin.
Step 5
Use a spot-on treatment with resorcinol or sulfur if your skin does not respond to benzoyl peroxide. Resorcinol and sulfur, which are sold as separate medications, help break down hard skin and are especially effective at clearing whiteheads and blackheads.
Step 6
Keep up your skin routine every day. Even if the surface of your skin is clear, acne forms on the deeper layers of skin. By the time you can see a breakout, it's too late to prevent.
Tips and Warnings
- Give your acne routine a chance to work. Some people may not notice an improvement for up to six weeks. Taking a shower each morning has been shown to remove and control sebum production for several hours, according to research the Urban Life Research Institute in Tokyo.
- Be sure to read the instructions and warnings on your medication. You can cause irritation or an allergic reaction if you combine certain treatments. Hormonal acne may need to be treated with a prescription medication. This kind of acne is typically cyclical and will appear about a week before menstruation. Men can also have hormonal acne, which can be triggered by stress and anxiety.
Things You'll Need
- Skin cleanser with salicylic acid
- Exfoliator
- Astringent
- Benzoyl peroxide or resorcinol or sulfur topical ointment
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