Are Pore Strips The Best Acne Treatment For Blackheads
Pore strips, whether purchased over the counter or created at home, use an adhesive to cling to the impurities blocking the pore and ultimately remove the plug. Pore strips do remove pore plugs and dead surface skin cells, but they won’t prevent blackheads from returning. Immediately after using them, your pores will shrink and appear smaller.
Will Your Acne Ever Go Away
Most often, acne will go away on its own at the end of puberty, but some people still struggle with acne in adulthood. Almost all acne can be successfully treated, however. Itââ¬â¢s a matter of finding the right treatment for you.
Show Sources
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: ââ¬ÅQuestions and Answers about Acne.ââ¬ï¿½
American Academy of Dermatology: ââ¬ÅAcne,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅHow to shave.ââ¬ï¿½
Mayo Clinic, Diseases and Conditions: ââ¬ÅAcne, Causes,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅAcne, Over-the-counter acne products: What works and why,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅAcne, Are there any effective natural acne treatment options?ââ¬ï¿½
Consumer Reports: ââ¬ÅReview of acne treatments,ââ¬ï¿½ ââ¬ÅCan some drugs make me more sensitive to the sun?ââ¬ï¿½
Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, PhD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology, Yale School of Medicine.
How To Get Rid Of Back Acne Once And For All
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The first thing to know about how to get rid of back acne is that it’s not like the pimples you get on your face. Yes, its similar in that the pores clog and bacteria is often to blame, and also you get incredibly confused and angry and emotional about it . But it’s different in that it comes with its own rulebook for treating and preventing it.
Luckily bacne is very treatable and very preventable. And I didnt know all the ways to keep it at bay until I sourced a bunch of board-certified dermatologists for the answers. We got the advice they often give their own patients in regards to back acne, and now theyve got your back, too: Here’s how to get rid of back acne.
You May Like: How Do You Get Rid Of Red Acne Marks
Skip Makeup When You’re Working Out
Take an extra five minutes before hopping on the treadmill to completely wash your face and remove your makeup to minimize the risk of breakouts. “Sweat is released through visible pores in the skin,” says dermatologist Dr. Janelle Vega. “When makeup covers those pores, that barrier doesn’t allow the sweat to make it to the surface of the skin, which can lead to clogged pores. The trapped debris and bacteria are a perfect breeding ground for acne bumps and zits.”
An Aspirin A Day Keeps Acne Away

Did you know that the bottle of aspirin youve got at the back of your medicine cabinet is a powerful pimple popper? Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug, and its active ingredient is similar to salicylic acid, which is used to treat acne. To harness aspirins anti-acne properties, simply crush up a tablet or two and combine with enough water to make a paste. Apply it to the blemish and allow the paste to dry, then rinse off with cool water. Your skin will look great, and you wont have had to spend an extra cent for a fancy pimple cream!
Obviously, avoid using aspirin to treat acne if youre allergic!
Also Check: How To Fix Dark Spots On Face From Acne
Scar Creams Gels And Silicone Dressings
One at-home option for making raised scars less visible with few side effects is the use of scar creams, gels and silicone dressings to shrink, flatten and fade scars over time.
These treatments need to be used continuously over an extended period of time, which can introduce some complexity when dealing with scars on the face.
Over the course of use, some individuals find that their skin becomes itchy and irritated a symptom that usually goes away once the person stops using the product.
Silicone dressings and bandages have been found to be particularly effective, though researchers are unsure of how they work. One possibility is that silicone helps to hydrate the skin.
How Do You Treat Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is challenging to treat, and dermatologists typically recommend a combination of oral and topical prescriptions and lifestyle changes that we wish came in a prescription form, such as reducing stress. In short: Get thee to a dermatologist’s office, stat, as your typical acne skin-care routine might not cut it when it comes to treating cystic acne at home.
“Usually, people run to their dermatologist’s office for a quick cortisone injection to dry up those monsters within hours,” says Rachel Nazarian, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. But not everyone has the time to pop into a dermatologist’s office the moment you feel one coming on, and ad hoc injections won’t help treat or cure your cystic acne in the long term.
In her practice, Dr. Farhang begins treatment with topical prescriptions and conversations around lifestyle changes, then moves on to oral medications if needed. “Topical treatments could include a combination of benzoyl peroxide and/or prescription antibiotic cream if multiple whiteheads in the morning, along with prescription dapsone cream if the target area is less oily and has more adult inflammatory lesions, like hormonal cysts along the jawline,” she says. In the evening, she often prescribes a retinoid to help increase cell turnover, which helps diminish acne and neutralize any hyperpigmentation from previous breakouts.
Read Also: What Serum Is Good For Acne
Shower Asap After Exercise
Sweat that gets trapped against the skin and then dries can be highly irritating to hair follicles. It can create the perfect place for bacteria to grow.
Try to schedule workouts and other physical activities so that you can take a shower immediately after. Don’t stop by the grocery store or the library until you’ve lathered up and changed clothes.
Biking, rowing, spin classes, and other activities that you perform while sitting can create friction on the skin of the buttocks. This may irritate butt acne. In these cases, it may be best to switch to an alternative activity until the breakout heals.
Consider Birth Control Pills
Women who are dealing with acne can look to an unconventional source of relief: birth control pills. Not only can oral contraceptives help regulate menstrual cycles and prevent pregnancy, a prescription for these once-a-day pills may also be your ticket to clearer skin.
The reason our skin goes crazy during adolescence is that our bodies are cranking out high levels of hormones such as androgen and testosterone. These sex hormones prompt glands in the skin to produce higher levels of an oil called sebum. Acne results when this excess sebum clogs up the pore along with dead skin cells.
The FDA has approved three different birth control pills for treatment of acne. All three contain a mix of the hormones estrogen and progestin. These hormones seem to lower sebum production in women, resulting in less acne. This form of treatment is usually only considered once other treatments — such as topical options — have failed.
There are drawbacks, however. For one, there’s no guarantee it will work. Also, anyone on birth control pills runs the risk of potential side effects, from headache to nausea to high blood pressure. Women with certain health conditions shouldn’t take oral contraceptives at all.
If you’re not into hormone treatments, we have a more natural remedy on the next page.
You May Like: How To Clear Up Body Acne Fast
Get A Cortisone Injection
A cortisone shot involves injecting a low-dose steroid directly into your zit to drastically decrease the pain and inflammation within a few days, says Dr. Marchbein. Itll still take a few days to a week for the cyst to resolve itself completely, and if its monstrous, you might want another injection a few weeks later. It sounds intense and painful, but as someone who has had a dozen zits injected in my life with zero issues, I can assure you its really, truly not a big dealit takes about three seconds , and its usually covered by insurance, so its cheap.
The only potential side effect? Denting. Accidentally injecting too much cortisone can leave a slight depression where your zit used to be, but 1) its rare, especially if its being administered by a board-certified dermatologistwhich, um, is the only person you should be allowing to do it, 2) your derm can fix it fast with a bit of saline solution, and 3) your body usually fills out the dent on its own after a few months anyways.
Can You Use The Same Acne Product Every Few Days
It may seem beneficial to use a new acne treatment every few days, but this approach can make your acne worse. Acne treatment takes time to work. Using a different product every few days can also irritate your skin and cause a new rash. If a treatment works for you, you will see improvement within 4-6 weeks.
Read Also: How To Prevent Acne After Shaving
Replenix Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Body Wash With Aloe Vera
As an alternative, use zinc-packed dandruff shampoos:
I find that often back acne is actually pityrosporum folliculitis, an overgrowth of a yeast normally found on our skin. Using antifungal shampoos and body washes, daily for 10 days, then weekly for maintenance, is helpful, says Dr. Debbie Elder.
How To Get Rid Of Cystic Acne Fast

K, first, make sure to temper your expectations. Though youve got a few at-home treatments that can help prevent cystic acne from forming , theres not much you can really do at home to get rid of the bump that just popped up. That being said, here are your best at-home cystic acne treatments that can help:
You May Like: Can You Get Acne On Your Arms
What Are The Treatments & Medications For Bacne
According to Dr. Rana, Bacne can be really difficult to treat because its harder to see. I know that sounds silly, but not being able to clearly see your pimples can make it more difficult to assess how severe the breakout is. And, it can be hard to apply treatment products directly to the affected area. Plus, the skin on the back is very thick, so its challenging to get topical treatments to absorb deeply enough. Based on the severity of bacne and other factors, including an individuals response to specific treatments, dermatologists help patients create a plan to address bacne that works for them.
Because of the difficulty of effectively using topical treatments for back and body acne, oral medications like antibiotics may be prescribed, especially to help patients control severe bacne breakouts. Oral antibiotics can be prescribed in the short term to reduce the amount of C. Acnes bacteria on the skin, which will often decrease the number of pimples and make it easier for the skin to heal during a breakout.
Even though topical treatments for back acne can be difficult to apply, topical antimicrobials and other acne spot treatments may be an important part of the initial treatment and ongoing maintenance care plans for back acne. These topical treatments can help clear skin and relieve symptoms like itching, swelling, and inflammation associated with breakouts.
Aloe Vera And Tea Tree Oil Cleanser
Since tea tree oil is a and acne-fighting ingredient, mixing it with aloe vera has the potential to produce a visible benefit. This isnt a mixture you should leave on your face, as tea tree oil is extremely potent and acidic.
How to
Use aloe vera as your base, add purified water and 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil before carefully applying the mixture to your face. Rinse off after about a minute and pat your face dry.
Also Check: How To Clear Bad Acne Fast
How To Get Rid Of Acne Fast And Overnight
How to get rid of acne fast, overnight and naturally? Some of these methods are non-toxic, which are natural method. Some methods are toxic, which are using chemical and medicine. The natural methods are safe and not dangerous for the skin. On the other side, there are toxic and dangerous methods as well. The toxic methods are the use of chemical and medicine.
The natural methods and products are the best and fastest way to get rid of acne. There are so many other methods such as taking care of the skin and keeping it clean from dirt can also help to remove acne.
Keep away your hair and hands from acne, but there are the other factor also to help in removing acne. The touching of acne will take the germs to the other place so you have to avoid the touching of acne. The touching of hands takes bacteria to the other place and make acne again that is why you need to avoid touching. There are few superb article on how to get rid of pimples?, How to get rid of blackheads?, and Blackhead removal remedies to remove blackheads on our website.
There are some foods that must be avoided for removing acne. These foods are milk, chocolates, sweets, desserts, cakes, fat and oil. You need to eat vitamins and minerals rich foods to get rid of acne. The examples of vitamins are vitamin A and C. These vitamins mainly found in orange and carrots. There is some other food such as eating organic foods. These foods are not harmful to acne.
Keep Your Hands Off From Pimples
Many dermatologists suggested that you should never poke or pop the pimples on your face.
It may seem tempting, but remember that once youve picked at an acne lesion, it will take longer to heal and is more likely to scar. One of the established dermatologist
As it states, Its really tempting to pop pimples on your face. Pimples allures you to touch it and pop it. But, if you succumbed to its temptation. It would take longer and sometimes, become even worse. So, try to keep your fingers off from your skin.
So, this is my quick short guide on how to get rid of pimples. Its simple and all you can do is to follow rigorously what Ive said.
Recommended Reading: How To Fix Scarring From Acne
Cheek Acne Treatment #: Take An Oral Contraceptive
There has long been a debate whether birth control helps or worsens acne. For some women, taking an oral contraceptive can help regulate hormones and help get rid of cheek acne. If youre considering taking birth control for acne, you want to choose one that has the right amount of estradiol and low levels of progestin. Before you try to control your acne with birth control, youll want to speak with your doctor.
Apple Cider Vinegar Acne Treatment
Apple cider vinegar is one of better known home remedies for acne, thanks to its high beta carotene content and antibacterial properties. Here’s how to make your own apple cider vinegar acne treatment:
1. Dilute 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of clean water.
2. Wash your face with a non-abrasive, gentle cleanser. See our “best face wash for acne” options above. Pat dry.
3. Apply a small amount of the diluted apple cider vinegar acne solution to a clean cotton pad and swipe your entire face evenly.
4. Apply an oil-free moisturizer or hydrator for acne prone skin.
Use only once daily, and you might only want to use apple cider vinegar at night, as it does have a strong smell. If your skin becomes too dry or irritated, use less frequently or dilute with more water.
You May Like: What Fades Acne Dark Spots
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,
How To Get Rid Of Back Acne

Back acne is a potentially embarrassing and sometimes painful condition where clogged hair follicles on the back cause pimples and blackheads. Back acne can be caused by the same factors as other types of acne: diet, hormones, certain medications, genetics or any combination thereof. But when you’re considering how to get rid of back acne, also remember that most people have their back covered the majority of the day. The clothing we wear matters, and the way in which we wash the skin on our back is key for clear skin, the whole body over. Learn more about common back acne causes, the best acne products for your body, and how to prevent acne on the back from returning in this section.
Recommended Reading: Why Do I Keep Getting Acne
Oral Contraceptives With Estrogen
The birth control pill is another option for women suffering hormonal acne. Four types of birth control pills have been approved by the FDA for use as acne treatment, and all four are combination pills that contain both estrogen and progesterone. Talk to your doctor about how to get rid of acne using birth control and keep in mind that Ortho Tri-cyclen, Estrostep YAZ and Beyaz are the only four brands specifically FDA approved as acne remedies.