What To Put On Acne

How Can You Determine Which Treatment Is Best For You

Determining the best acne treatment for you depends on the type of acne and severity.

The best way to determine the right acne treatment plan is to see a dermatology provider, explains , MD, a board certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. There are many different types of acne, and treatment regimens vary from person to person.

A dermatologist will closely examine your skin to see which of the different types of lesions appear:

• Mildnoninflammatory acne includes whiteheads and blackheads.
• Moderateinflammatory acne includes papules and pustules.
• Severe inflammatory acne includes nodules and cysts.

Noninflammatory acne can usually be cleared up with OTC products containing active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, or prescription-strength topical retinoids.

Inflammatory acne requires topical or oral prescriptions from a dermatologist to effectively treat.

Though papules and pustules may clear up with OTC products alone, inflammatory acne is more likely to lead to scarring, so seeing a dermatologist is the best way to clear acne and prevent acne scars.

The acne treatments on this list are based on:

• recommendations from board certified dermatologists
• ingredients proven to be effective in treating acne
• customer reviews

• Product type: Topical cream or gel
• Prescription: Yes
• Type of acne: Noninflammatory acne

• Prescription: Yes
• Type of acne: Noninflammatory acne

• Beyaz
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen
• Yaz

How To Use Green Tea For Acne

Summary

Green tea is high in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and fight bacteria. Applying it to the skin has been shown to significantly reduce pimples.

Acne Treatment With Hydrocolloid Patches

Another form of acne treatment is with hydrocolloid bandages or patches. Hydrocolloid bandages are used to help reduce the size of zits and minimize the appearacne of acne by absorbing the oils and pus from your pimple. While there are pimple patches, sheets of hydrocolloid bandages have proven to work just as well. You are able to apply the whole sheet to the desired area or cut out a piece to fit comfortably on your pimple, this also helps keep you from picking at your zit causing it to become inflammed. Wear it overnight or just for a couple of hours, and you’ll be able to see the bandage go from clear to white spots from all it’s absorbed. Once removed, you’ll notice the pimple has now been flattened out and even reduced in size.

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Things You Can Try If You Have Acne

These self-help techniques may be useful:

• Do not wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day. Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse.
• Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can make acne worse.
• Do not try to “clean out” blackheads or squeeze spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scarring.
• Avoid using too much make-up and cosmetics. Use water-based products that are described as non-comedogenic. This means the product is less likely to block the pores in your skin.
• Completely remove make-up before going to bed.
• If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance-free water-based emollient.
• Regular exercise cannot improve your acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising as sweat can irritate your acne.
• Wash your hair regularly and try to avoid letting your hair fall across your face.

Although acne cannot be cured, it can be controlled with treatment.

If you develop mild acne, it’s a good idea to speak to a pharmacist for advice.

Several creams, lotions and gels for treating spots are available to buy from pharmacies.

Products containing a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide may be recommended, but be careful as this can bleach clothing.

If your acne is severe or appears on your chest and back, it may need to be treated with antibiotics or stronger creams that are only available on prescription.

Are Aspirin Masks Good For Cystic Acne

This one worries me because it encourages people to crush up aspirin to make a face mask and they could end up with a higher concentration of it in one area versus another. We use salicylic acid, which is somewhat a cousin of acetylsalicylic acid to treat acne, but its a low percentage. I definitely wouldnt crush up a bottle of aspirin and put it on my face.

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Birth Control Pills Or Spironolactone

Cystic acne, particularly in adults, tends to be related to hormones. Birth control pills and spironolactone are the most effective treatment for hormonal acne in women whose breakouts tend to occur a week or so before their period. These medicines work by partially suppressing the effects of androgens, the male-type hormones in the body, says Dr. Howe. Keep in mind, the beneficial effects of these treatments often take several months to achieve, so this isnt a quick fix. With spironolactone, it may take quite a while to work up to the most effective dose, says Dr. Howe.

If Buying New Products Isn’t An Option Try A Diy Treatment

It’s possible to stir up a great at-home acne treatment with a few ingredients in your kitchen. Try the following:

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Use Hydrating Products To Strengthen Your Skin Barrier

While it might seem counterintuitive to layer oily, acne-prone skin with more moisture, doing so may actually help balance your skins oil production and limit the number of zits that pop into view: Some patients tend to focus on treating their acne with spot treatments, which can be great, but it’s important to also take care of the rest of your face to keep your skin barrier strong, Magovern says. I like to finish off with a great, lightweight moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid to improve hydration and keep skin looking radiant.

Other Tips And Advice

• Try to be positive and not get discouraged. Acne treatment can take 2 to 3 months to see results.
• Wash your face gently 2 times a day with a mild soap or a wash that your doctor recommends . Do not use cleansing scrubs or abrasive pads. Do not use astringents.
• Shampoo your hair regularly . Style it away from your face and forehead. Do not use a lot of mousse, gel or hairspray near your forehead.
• Never squeeze pimples. Squeezing may make acne worse and cause permanent scars.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
• It is important to keep your follow-up appointments. There are many medicines available. The doctor may change your medicine if there is no improvement.
• Tell your doctor if your skin becomes very dry or irritated or if the medicine is not working. If your skin is extremely dry, try using your acne cream 3 to 4 times a week rather than every day. Be sure to use an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
• Tell your doctor if you may be pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask your doctor or nurse, or call your doctors office.

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Use Makeup With Salicylic Acid To Conceal Pimples

We cant just hide inside because we have pimples. Fortunately, there are several makeup products available that can help us safely cover up blemishes while simultaneously combatting them. As with the acne spot treatments mentioned above, there are a few key words to look for in the labeling on products such as foundation, face powder, and concealers.

Ingredients in Makeup for Acne-Prone Skin: Makeup for acne-prone skin usually contains similar ingredients found in over-the-counter treatments one of the most common of these is salicylic acid. Acne-fighting foundations with salicylic acid offer natural-looking coverage for your pimples while treating existing acne and preventing new outbreaks. Neutrogena, E.L. F., and Clinique, are just a few major brands that offer these formulations. Other common ingredients to look for are sulfur, which, like salicylic acid, reduces oil and unclogs pores, and hyaluronic acid, which combats the drying effect of other ingredients and keeps moisture in the skin. As with spot treatments, however, youll need to consider your skin type when choosing which product to use. If your skin is already dry, you may want to focus on products that keep pores clear without drying out your skin.

How To Apply Makeup To Conceal Acne

Got a monster zit you’re wanting to conceal? Or even a case of acne you like to camouflage? You can help your blemishes to blend as much as possible into your skin, without looking like you’ve got a ton of makeup on.

Don’t worry it’s OK to wear makeup when you have acne. Even if you’re not a brilliant makeup artist, you can utilize these simple makeup tricks to help minimize the look of acne while you’re waiting for it to heal.

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How Can I Prevent Acne

Because of acne’s association with fluctuating hormone levels and possible genetic influences, many doctors believe there is no way to prevent it. The accepted wisdom is that neither good hygiene nor diet can prevent outbreaks. Treatments can control acne and minimize future breakouts. Sensible skin care is recommended, especially during adolescence. The basics include a daily bath or shower and washing the face and hands with unscented or mildly antibacterial soap.

Other tips for preventing future outbreaks include:

• Use non-comedogenic or sensitive skin products to reduce the chance of new lesions and minimize skin irritation.
• Use a mild cleanser twice a day.
• Avoid cleansers or products that contain scrubbing particles or have a gritty texture. These products can irritate the skin and lead to breakouts.
• Use a daily non-comedogenic moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen .
• Wear makeup that is non-comedogenic.
• Avoid picking, squeezing, or popping pimples. This can lead to scarring and skin infections.

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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.

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Cystic Acne Could Be A Sign Of Other Health Conditions

Another reason Dr. Braue recommends seeing a dermatologist or even your healthcare provider first cystic acne could be a sign that something else is going on.

Its important to get checked out by a dermatologist, or at the very least, your primary care physician who can appropriately refer you to a dermatologist. Sometimes, people who have significant inflammation may have another underlying condition. For example, its not uncommon to see younger women or teens who have polycystic ovary syndrome and cystic acne. If youre attempting to treat cystic acne with over-the-counter solutions, youre not going to take into consideration that there could be an issue with your menstrual cycle or an issue that could lead to a metabolic disorder.

Aloe Vera Antibacterial Spray

, it might be worth it to purchase or make your own cleansing aloe spray. This mist will hydrate your face without causing shine or overproduction of oils, which can clog your pores.

How to

Using a 2-oz. spray bottle, combine 1 1/4 oz. of purified water, 1/2 oz. of aloe vera, and a drop or two of your favorite nontoxic essential oil. Be careful to avoid your eyes when you spritz this cooling, acne-fighting mist on your face, and shake well before every use.

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What Not To Do To Get Rid Of A Pimple

You can watch pimple popping videos on the internet to your hearts content, but Dr. Khetarpal recommends against trying it in real life.

Any manipulation of a pimple can lead to more inflammation, which can increase the risk of scarring, she explains. And your hands are dirty, so youre going to introduce more bacteria and potentially make it worse.

Your best bet is to spot treat the pimple with benzoyl peroxide and then leave it alone.

Wearing makeup and covering it up is not a problem, but dont poke or pick or squeeze it, Dr. Khetarpal suggests. It will resolve on its own.

How To Make A Scrub At Home

Summary

Exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells. It may reduce the appearance of scars and discoloration, but more research needs to be done on its ability to treat acne.

The relationship between diet and acne has been debated for years.

Research suggests that dietary factors, such as insulin and glycemic index, may be associated with acne .

A foods glycemic index is a measure of how quickly it raises your blood sugar.

Eating high GI foods causes a spike in insulin, which likely increases sebum production. As a result, high GI foods may directly affect the development and severity of acne.

Foods with a high glycemic index include processed foods, such as:

• white bread

• nuts
• whole or minimally processed grains

In one study, 66 people followed either a normal or low glycemic diet. After 2 weeks, the individuals consuming a low glycemic diet had lower levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 , a hormone involved in acne development .

Another study in 64 people found that those with moderate or severe acne ate diets with more carbohydrates and a higher glycemic load than those without acne .

These small studies suggest that a low glycemic diet may help those with acne-prone skin. Additional larger, longer studies are needed.

The relationship between dairy and acne is highly controversial.

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Apply A Warm Compress

Heat is a super simple way to soothe your skin if you feel a blemish coming on, says , board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, NJ. “Use a warm compress or steam tobring everything to the surface,” she explains. Alternately, you can use a cold compress to bring down the swelling of a particularly large, painful blemish.

Who Is Most Likely To Get Cystic Or Nodular Acne

Some people are more prone to nodulocystic acne. Acne-related cysts and nodules are usually due to chronic inflammation of the hair follicle and sweat gland, Sruthi Renati, M.D., a dermatologist at Michigan Medicine, tells SELF. Multiple factors can influence this form of acne, including increased oil production by the sweat glands, proliferation of acne-causing bacteria on the skin, or hormones.

Unfortunately a lot of the predisposition for cysts and nodules is simply genetic, Dr. Engelman says. Your skins tendency toward oil production, for instance, is not something you can control. Theres also the influence of stress: These bumps are often caused when there is a hormonal imbalance or during periods of stress, when your body responds by producing more cortisol, Dr. Engelman says. Both hormones overstimulate the sebaceous oil glands, making your body produce more oil that gets stuck in your pores, thus trapping bacteria.

If youve had several large inflamed bumps recently, talk to your doctor about whether hormones might be playing a role in your acne. They might recommend trying a form of hormonal birth control to manage those fluctuations and prevent this type of acne. And although you cant necessarily control every stressful situation in your life or your bodys reaction to them, you can develop some stress management and self-care strategies to make things a little less disruptive.

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Precautions To Take When You Have Pimples

The first instinct everybody has when they spot a pimple on their face is to pinch it and press it to get the gunk out. Stop yourself when you have that urge. Here are few precautions to follow when you have a pimple.

• Keep your hands away from your skin to prevent spread of bacteria

• Continue to follow your skincare routine and ensure adequate cleansing, moisturising and sun protecting

• Treat it with home remedies, products or medical help as soon as you can

• Don’t overly dry out the pimple as it can lead to spots and scars

• Avoid oil-based products as it can further aggravate the skin