Whether you’re a teenager struggling with recurring breakouts or an adult experiencing acne for the first time, there is one universal truth: You want your skin to clear up—fast. Here’s what you need to get rid of acne, step by step…
Your anti-Acne Skincare Routine
Numerous studies have conclusively shown which skincare ingredients really work to tackle breakouts. Here’s what you need to add to your arsenal to fight off acne as soon as it shows up.
- A gentle, water-soluble cleanser that you use morning and evening. While it’s a myth that dirty skin causes acne, removing excess oil and debris from skin creates a clean canvas for applying leave-on anti-acne products.
- A leave-on chemical exfoliant containing salicylic acid (BHA). BHA is oil soluble and can exfoliate deep down into pores to help unclog them. If that weren’t enough, it also has natural calming properties to soothe reddened skin.
- A benzoyl peroxide product. Benzoyl peroxide is the gold standard for fighting acne, and for good reason: It immediately targets the source of breakouts, leading to quicker relief.
- A light-weight sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreen can be an afterthought when you have an acne breakout, but it’s critically important that you apply it every day. Unprotected sun exposure damages every aspect of skin, often causing post-acne red marks to linger even after your skin has cleared up.
When to See a Doctor for Acne
In many cases, adjusting your skincare routine to include gentle, well-formulated anti-acne products will make skin better. However, if you’ve done that, and you don’t see any improvement after four to six weeks, it’s time to consider an appointment with a dermatologist. A doctor can prescribe topical and oral medications that work with your skincare routine to help with severe acne.
References for this information:
Dermatologic Therapy, February 2017, pages 926–935
International Journal of Molecular Science, January 2017, page 18
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, December 2016, pages 330–334 and 350–357
Clinical Cosmetic Investigative Dermatology, August 2015, pages 455–461
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, June 2015, pages 14–19; and March 2010, pages 281–292
Inflammation and Allergy Drug Targets, June 2014, pages 177–190
Journal of Women’s Health, February 2012, pages 223–230
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, December 2011, pages 407–420
Cutis, July 2009, pages 48–55
