The Best Acne Products For Blasting Blackheads Out Of Existence
Try these proven acne remedies to get rid of blackheads and ensure you keep your skin clear:
This variety of pore strip from Biore uses purifying charcoal powder to draw oil and impurities out of the pores, leaving pores smaller and skin smoother. They’re only recommended for use on the nose and should be used twice a week at most.
Biore Deep Cleansing charcoal pore strips, from $7,
Bioelements makes a greatwater-based mask with natural active clay, kaolin for oil absorption, and other calming and soothing ingredients like chamomile, dong quai and watercress. Use once or twice weekly as an acne treatment to improve skin’s texture, remove excess oil and dirt, deep clean pores and refine skin.
Bioelements Restorative Clay mask, from $34,
The Best Acne Products For Natural Acne Treatment
There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of natural acne treatment products on the market, but these are a few of our favorites:
Barlean’s uses organic coconuts for their product. If you’re into using coconut oil for acne but also environmentally or socially conscientious, you’ll like thatBarlean’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is also fair trade, non-GMO and vegan.
Barlean’s organic virgin coconut oil, from $16,
NOW Tea Tree Oil for acne is a popular choice thanks to the product’s strong antiseptic and germicidal properties. Distilled from the leaves of the tea tree in Australia, this brand is 100 percent tea tree oil and also has a milder smell than you might expect.
NOW tea tree oil, from $11,
What Can I Expect If I Have Acne Scars
Acne is very common. Its likely that most people you know either have or have had it at some point, probably when they were teenagers. Expect to have to make choices choices about if you will or will not get treatment and choices about the type of treatment. Expect to have the scars for most if not all of your life if you decide not to get treatment. Even with treatment, acne scars are difficult to heal. Theres no 100% guarantee that the acne scars will be completely gone. But most treatments reduce the size of the acne scars and make them less visible.
You May Like: Does Vitamin C Help Acne
Do Hair Products Cause Acne
If you develop acne along your forehead, hairline, or the back of your neck, hair care products may be to blame. Products like shampoo, conditioner, and styling products may trigger acne breakouts in these areas. So can hairspray, hair gel, waxes, and pastes. The name of acne triggered by products is acne cosmetica. Acne will clear up shortly after you stop using these products. Men should check shaving cream and aftershave, which can also contain pore-clogging oils.
How To Prevent Acne Scars
Acne scars are primarily prevented via the prevention of acne. Once you have acne, how and when you treat it also matters.
Minimizing Excess Oil
Acne is the result of excess oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, and other environmental impurities becoming trapped in your pores. To minimize this build-up, practice the following:
- Keep your hands and face as clean as possible
- Choose a face wash specifically formulated for oily skin
- Choose moisturizers that are free of oil, or non-comedogenic
- Use a gentle exfoliant once weekly
Early Acne Treatment
Because scarring occurs more frequently in severe acne, its important to treat your breakouts in the early stages. Practice the following to reduce acne-related inflammation before it gets worse:
- Follow the above advice on daily washing and weekly exfoliating
- Choose products containing acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
- Use spot-treatments as needed at the first sign of a breakout
Never Pop Your Pimples!
Finally, if you do have a severe breakout, just be patient. While nobody wants to wait out a pimple, its the best way to avoid scarring. Squeezing, popping, or picking at acne increases your risk of scarring in two ways:
- Bacteria and impurities get pushed deeper into the pore
- The surrounding skin cells experience more trauma
Also Check: How To Know If My Acne Is Hormonal
A Diet High In Processed Food And Refined Carbs May Lead To Acne
Bisual Studio/Stocksy
As teens, we believed that greasy grub and chocolate cake caused our pimples. And that might hold true for you now that youre an adult.
The latest scientific evidence suggests that high-carbohydrate diets may predispose you to acne, Fusco says. Specifically, diets high in refined carbohydrates that are high on the glycemic index may increase the development and severity of breakouts, yet more research is needed. The glycemic index is a scale that gauges how much a certain food can affect blood sugar levels.
There may also be a link between acne and dairy, according to Harth.
Dairy products have been shown in multiple studies to increase levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 , that can trigger or worsen acne breakouts, says Harth. One of the most triggering forms of dairy is cow’s milk, especially low-fat milk, which contains a large amount of progesterone-like hormones and has a higher sugar content than full-fat milk.
Zit zapper Cut back on snacks, like chips and ice cream, and switch to whole grains, veggies, fruits, and high-protein foods.
Better skin may lie at the end of your fork, research reveals.
The Best Acne Products For Back Acne Treatment
The best acne products for stubborn acne on your back contain acne medication or natural acne treatment ingredients that kill bacteria, cleanse pores and nurture clear skin.
The Body Shop offers a soap-free body wash gentle enough to use on the whole body, with antibacterial tea tree oil for acne treatment. If you’ve wondered how to get rid of blackheads on your back, where they can be especially stubborn, give this affordable back acne treatment a try.
The Body Shop tea tree skin clearing body wash, from $13,
Neutrogena’s acne treatment body wash contains the acne medication salicylic acid to fight back acne breakouts and prevent body breakouts. Use a small amount on a clean, soft cloth or body sponge to create a rich lather, then rinse clear.
Neutrogena Body Clear acne body wash, $6 for Amazon Prime members, Target.com
Those who prefer a bar soap over a liquid body wash can still benefit from acne-fighting salicylic acid with the Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar. This mild soap unclogs pores and removes excess oil without drying out skin.
Clinique Acne Solutions cleansing bar for face & body, $23,
Recommended Reading: Is Antibiotic Ointment Good For Acne
See Your Healthcare Provider For Deep Breakouts Or Cysts
While smaller blemishes can still scar the skin, it’s the big guys that usually do the damage. Because they extend deeper into the skin, deep nodular breakouts or cystic breakouts are more likely to destroy skin tissue and leave scars.
Over-the-counter acne products just won’t help these types of breakouts. Get an appointment with a dermatologist. Quick, effective treatment can help lessen the chance of developing deep scars.
Can Workouts Cause Acne
Some people notice they break out or experience a worsening of acne after they work out. Heat and humidity may increase the likelihood of breakouts, but it doesn’t mean you should stop exercising. Just take a few precautions to make your workouts safer for your skin. Take your makeup off before working out so it doesn’t sink into pores. Put on clean workout clothes before you exercise. Apply oil-free sunscreen before heading outdoors. Use a clean towel to wipe off sweat as you work out. Clean and disinfect shared equipment before you use it. Shower immediately after exercising to wash off excess oil and bacteria that cause acne.
Don’t Miss: How To Treat Acne With Dry Skin
Points To Remember About Acne
- Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles under the skin become clogged.
- Acne causes several types of lesions, or pimples.
- Medications and other procedures such as laser and light therapies are the most common treatments.
- The goals of treatment are to help heal lesions, stop new lesions from forming, and prevent scarring.
- Acne can cause embarrassment or make you feel shy or anxious. If you have any of these feelings, talk to your doctor.
How Can I Treat My Acne Scars
Acne scars can affect ones self-esteem, confidence, and overall quality of life. The best first step is to treat any active acne lesions to prevent future scarring. However if you are already left with scarring, there are many effective treatments that can improve skin texture and reduce acne scarring.
Depending on the type and severity of the scarring, effective treatments to consider include:
- Chemical Peels: An acid-based solution is applied topically to either the entire face or just in areas of pitted scarring to remove the outer layer of skin and stimulate collagen repair. Multiple sessions are necessary to optimize results. A series of chemical peels can leave the skin looking smoother and less scarred in appearance, as well as improve skin discoloration.
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable hyaluronic acid , such as Belotero, Juvederm or Restylane, can be injected into depressions in the skin from acne scarring to help smooth out the skin texture. Dermal fillers are temporary and often need multiple sessions to maximize scar repair. Learn more about treating acne scars with fillers
- Laser Resurfacing: A fractional laser delivers pixelated columns of laser heat in a controlled and predictable manner to either heat the skin or remove the skin to elicit scar remodeling. The number of recommended treatment and the amount of downtime involved with these lasers varies. It is best to ask an expert about which laser would best fit your needs and lifestyle.
About the Author
Recommended Reading: How To Fade Away Acne Scars
Ask Your Doctor About Acne Medications
If you have persistent pimples, you may want to ask your doctor about available prescriptions and whether they might be a good fit for you. There are several FDA-approved oral and topical medications on the market that could help improve your skin, such as minocycline, spironolactone, and isotretinoin. We’ll discuss these prescription medications and more later on.
Is Surgery Performed To Remove Acne Scars
Sometimes minor surgery is considered to treat certain types of acne scars. These surgeries lift scar tissue closer to the surface of the skin to make indentations less noticeable. They may completely remove the scar or break up scar tissue, allowing new collagen to form and smooth out the scar. Surgery is performed in your dermatologists office and you remain awake but the treatment area is numbed so you dont feel pain. Often surgery is followed by other types of acne scar removal treatments.
Recommended Reading: How Can You Get Rid Of Back Acne Fast
Acne On Cheeks: Surprising Causes And Treatment Options
By Dr. Jaggi Rao, MD, FRCPC, Double board-certified dermatologist
Stubborn acne on cheeks can seem impossible to treat, but a few fundamental lifestyle changes could do the trick. The good news is that acne on your cheeks often doesnt require expensive treatments or additional products.
Unlike the forehead and nose, which are in the notoriously oily T-zone, the cheeks are part of the U-zone, which is typically drier. That doesnt mean cheek acne is rare, though. It just means oil is probably not the main culprit for acne on cheeks.
It may even be the opposite: excessive dryness can lead to acne just as inevitably as excessive oiliness can. Our recommendation: Start a proven, consistent and safe skincare routine that includes one straightforward product: a water-based moisturizer.
Lets explore how to clear up cheek acne, plus how to know if you have acne or rosacea. Plus, learn how some simple lifestyle changes will make a big difference in your cheek acne.
Article Table of Contents
Why Do Some People Get Acne And Others Don’t
It is not clear why some people are more prone to acne than others.
The exact cause of acne is not known, but hormones called androgens can play a role. Androgens increase in both boys and girls during puberty. Androgens make the skin’s oil glands get larger and make more sebum. Androgens also can increase because of hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills.
Genetics may also matter. If your parents had acne, you may have inherited that tendency.
Some medications can cause acne.
Cosmetics that have a greasy consistency may also clog pores. Water-based products are less likely to cause acne than oil-based makeup.
Other things that can make acne worse include:
- Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin harsh scrubbing
- Picking or squeezing blemishes
- Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars
- Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women two to seven days before the start of the menstrual period
- Stress
Recommended Reading: Will Aloe Vera Help Acne
Researchers Might Have Figured Out Why Bacteria Only Causes Acne In Some People
Despite the fact that up to 80 percent of us will experience the living nightmare that is acne at some point in our lives, scientists still don’t really understand what causes the condition, and more importantly, how to stop it.
But a 2016 study might have figured out why skin bacteria only causes inflammation in some people and not others – and the discovery could lead to new acne treatments in as little as two years.
Right now, doctors treat severe acne with either antibiotics, hormone regulators , or isoretinoin – better known as Roaccutane.
All of these come with side effects , and worst of all, most of them don’t offer long-term relief, or in some cases, they don’t work at all.
It’s been years since any new types of acne treatments have been added – so new insight into the condition is long overdue.
The 2016 study focussed on the fact that pretty much all of our skin is covered in bacteria all of the time – after all, it’s the first line of defence against invading germs.
But despite this constant coating of bacteria, many people never experience breakouts, while others can’t get rid of them no matter what they try.
“It’s a big puzzle as to why we tolerate all these bacteria on our skin,” lead researcher Richard Gallo from the University of California, San Diego, told MedicalXpress at the time.
“Usually, we walk around at peace with them. But at certain times, that detente breaks down and you get an infection.”
Everything You Need To Know About Acne On Cheeks
If you have acne in your T-zone and your U-zone, youve probably noticed that they are very different. Your T-zone is an area of your face that includes the forehead and nose, and your U-zone is the complementing area, including your temples, cheeks, and chin. Your skin produces oil differently in those zones. The T-zone produces a significant amount of oil, or sebum, because it has the highest concentration of sebaceous glands anywhere on the body.
Sebaceous glands secrete sebum, and where theres excess sebum, theres sure to be acne as well. Sebum can clog pores and create blackheads and whiteheads, but it can also lead to pimples by providing more food for acne-causing bacteria, which consume sebum. Generally speaking, oil is heavily associated with acne.
So are you weird for having acne in your U-zone? Not at all! It is very common for people to get acne in their U-zone as wellits just caused by a different reason. There are few sebaceous glands in the U-zone when compared to the T-zone, which can prevent pores from getting clogged by sebum, but the lack of oil can sometimes lead to other problems.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Acne Picking Scars
Stress Is Accompanied By Hormonal Changes That Increase Your Risk For Acne
Are you worrying about that deadline for a big project? Relationship troubles keeping you up at night? While stress alone cant spark breakouts, it can exacerbate them.
Stress can worsen acne by leading to a release of inflammatory chemicals called neuropeptides and hormonal changes, Fried says.
Even good stress, like getting ready for a big event, might trigger breakouts. Thats why a huge pimple pops up on your wedding day or before a big date.
Zit zapper Use acne products with ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to clear up stress-induced breakouts. To prevent future flareups, find a way to calm your nerves, whether its yoga, deep-breathing, or watching a chick flick.
Are Some People More Likely To Get Acne
Nearly everyone develops at least a few breakouts during the teenage years. Its impossible to predict who will develop more severe acne, but you have a higher risk if one or both of your parents had severe acne that left them with acne scars.
The good news is that you dont have to live with acne. Today, virtually every case of acne can be treated successfully. Sometimes, this requires the help of a board-certified dermatologist.
Youll find out how dermatologists treat acne at: Acne: Diagnosis and treatment
ImagesGetty Images
ReferencesBurgos A, Burch JM. Acne and acneiform eruptions. In: Fitzpatrick JE, et al. Dermatology Secrets Plus . Elsevier. China, 2016:185-6.
Capitanio B, Sinagra JL, et al. Underestimated clinical features of postadolescent acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 63:782-8.
Heymann WR. Stress2 + Hormones2 = Acne2. Dermatology World: Insights and Inquires. June 5, 2019. Last accessed June 14, 2019.
Thiboutot DM, Dréno B, et al. Practical management of acne for clinicians: An international consensus from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 78:S1-23.
Zaenglein AL, Graber EM, et al. Acne vulgaris and acneiform eruptions. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:690-703.
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 74:945-73.
Don’t Miss: How To Clear Bad Acne Fast
