Looking for acne treatments for your skin type can be a real challenge. There are thousands of skincare products on the market, and finding the right one can be quite a headache.
I went through a lot of stress and embarrassment because of a sudden breakout and was desperate to get rid of it. When I eventually figured out what worked best for me, my acne cleared up; I had tried so many products by that point.
Table of Contents
Causes of acne
Four main reasons may contribute to acne: a surplus of oil produced by your skin (sebum), blocked hair follicles, excessive bacteria, and inflammation. Ingrown hairs can also cause acne.
When your oil glands overproduce oil, they can become blocked. The ingrown hairs allow the bacteria that naturally live on the skin to infect your skin, causing acne.
Many factors can trigger acne or make it worse.
Acne triggers
- Hormonal imbalances– Males and females are affected by androgens, which stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum during puberty, but women can experience breakouts in their 40s and 50s due to hormonal fluctuations.
- Stress– According to studies, stress does not cause acne but can worsen if you already have it. The acne may heal much slower than expected as a result.
- Diet-Foods high in carbohydrates and added sugars can boost insulin production in the body, leading to higher oil production in the skin, resulting in acne. The hormones found in dairy products can affect/interrupt hormone production in your body and lead to an imbalance of your hormones, leading to acne. Dietary restrictions can assist in managing acne-prone skin.
- Dehydrated skin– Your skin cells produce too much oil when dry, which results in acne.
Types of acne
Know the type of acne you have so that you can figure out what is the most effective course of action to get rid of it. There are a lot of over-the-counter acne treatments, but some can only be prescribed by a certified dermatologist.
You can also have cysts that are not shown in the animation. These are bumps that are above or below the skin.
Best acne treatments that work
Acne can be treated in several ways. Some treatments are topical, while others are oral. Some medications can be purchased over the counter, while others require a prescription from a dermatologist.
Over-the-counter acne treatments
1. Salicylic acid
A member of the BHA (beta hydroxy acid) family, salicylic acid is one of the most popular. Encouraging cell turnover and exfoliating your skin facilitates the shedding of dead skin cells and reduces acne. It also unblocks your pores and removes all the excess oil and bacteria.
Your acne will improve with time, or you may simply use it to prevent acne from occurring. Over the counter, it’s available in 2% concentrations, but if you’re introducing a new product or ingredient, it’s advisable to start with a lower percentage.
2. Retinol
Retinol is one of the most researched ingredients on the planet, and it is a type of retinoid derived from the Vitamin A family. While retinol has long been used for its anti-aging properties, it can also treat acne, increases cell turnover, and allows other ingredients to work better on the skin.
Retinol’s ability to unclog pores by reducing dead skin cells from settling in them significantly reduces acne. Over-the-counter retinol is not as effective as prescription retinol because it takes a long to produce results, and it will produce positive results with a little (I mean a lot) of patience.
3. Bezoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the best acne treatments you can get over the counter. It works by killing the bacteria that cause acne, unclogging pores, and getting rid of dead skin cells.
4. Niacinamide
The plethora of benefits that niacinamide has makes it an essential ingredient for everyone. This nutrient is derived from vitamin B3, a necessary nutrient for your body. In addition to rebuilding skin cells, niacinamide combats environmental stressors and is most effective for inflammatory acne.
Niacinamide is effective between 2% and 10%, but remember to always start at a lower percentage and then build your tolerance. It layers very well with retinol and makes your skin tolerate it better.
A non-irritating ingredient that reduces inflammation hydrates the skin and brightens it too, and it is indeed the jack of all trades. If you don’t have it, I suggest you head to the store and get a niacinamide serum.
5. Glycolic acid
This powerful exfoliating acid is derived from sugar cane and belongs to the AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids). It quickly penetrates your skin compared to other AHAs due to its relatively small structure. It exfoliates dead skin cells, unclogs all the excess oil and dirt from your pores, and reduces breakouts.
6. Lactic acid
Compared to glycolic acid, lactic acid has a larger structure and doesn’t penetrate the skin as easily. Therefore, it is gentler and is suitable for dry and sensitive skin types because glycolic acid may be too drying.
Lactic acid works by exfoliating dead skin cells and unclogging your pores, thus reducing breakouts. It is an excellent way of introducing AHA’s to your skin, mainly if you are not used to actives. It’s pretty moisturizing too, and a personal fave.
7. Adapalene
Adapalene is a retinoid mainly used for mild acne and other conditions like keratosis pilaris. While it is not as effective as other retinoids, most people tolerate it, making it an excellent entryway into the world of retinoids. It reduces pimples, unclogs pores, gets rid of blackheads and whiteheads, and as a result, reduces hyperpigmentation and scarring that is caused by acne. Adapalene also changes the texture of your skin, and it is super effective.
In some countries like South Africa, it is not available over the counter, do check your country’s regulations to see if you can get it.
8. Retinal
Also known as retinaldehyde, retinal is a retinoid (yes, a tongue twister). In its purest form, it is called retinoic acid, an active ingredient in tretinoin that can be very harsh on your skin. It decongests the skin, reduces oiliness, increases cell turnover, aids in wound healing, and thus reduces acne.
Retinaldehyde is more potent than retinol and weaker than tretinoin. Therefore if your skin simply cannot tolerate tretinoin, it would be the next best option.
9. Sulfur
Sulfur works similarly to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, and it is a gentler substitution of both and is well tolerated by most people. It dries dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and reduces oil on your skin by drying it out.
10. Azaleic acid
A naturally occurring acid that promotes faster skin renewal, which decreases the formation of acne. Azelaic acid kills bacteria that cause acne.
Other benefits of azelaic acid include curing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and reducing rosacea. It is definitely a multitasker if you have a product that can treat your acne and avoid the PIH that may result from it.
11. Zinc
Zinc is an adequate mineral for acne when ingested and used topically. When consumed, it regulates hormone levels and metabolism, and having less zinc is directly related to more acne. Applied topically, it kills and prevents acne-causing bacteria and reduces the oiliness on your skin.
12. Bakuchiol
A plant-derived ingredient that helps with many skin conditions. It is usually compared to retinol because they work similarly but are less harsh than retinol. Research shows that using bakuchiol twice daily can be just as effective as using retinol once daily. It reduces inflammation and bacteria that cause acne.
Prescribed acne treatments
1. Isotretinoin (Accutane)
One of the most effective treatments against acne, and it can be very harsh on your body.
Isotretinoin pills relieve severe acne by lowering the quantity of natural oil your skin produces, lessening the likelihood of clogged pores. The medication also destroys acne-causing bacteria and reduces redness and discomfort.
It has many side effects like muscle joint pain, thinning hair, trouble sleeping, etc.
2. Tretinoin
A retinoid that is used to treat acne and sun-damaged skin. Tretinoin is more potent than retinol because it contains a higher concentration of pure retinoic acid. It reduces inflammation caused by acne, exfoliates the skin, and unclogs pores.
Benefits of using it other than reducing acne include fewer fine lines and wrinkles over time, a better skin texture, and fewer dark spots. It also gives the skin a more even tone.
Tretinoin has a lot of side effects as well, such as dehydrated skin, peeling of the skin, lightening/ darkening of the skin, and redness.
Although it has many side effects, it is one of the best acne treatments. Things may get worse before they improve, so it requires a lot of patience to see visible results.
3. Antibiotics
Tetracycline or macrolide antibiotics are used to treat acne, and they kill bacteria that cause acne. Antibiotics are cheaper than Accutane and have fewer side effects. The downside is that they are taken multiple times daily, which can be frustrating.
It causes skin sensitivity to the sun and can interact with birth control, among other side effects.
4. Birth control pills
Acne caused by hormonal imbalances can be treated with birth control pills containing progestin and estrogen. It is used when other acne treatments, such as antibiotics or topical treatments, have failed to work.
When you take birth control pills, the level of androgens (male sex hormones like testosterone) decrease in your body, reducing the amount of sebum your body produces and therefore reducing acne.
The downside is that it can only be used by women who want to use contraceptives.
The final thought
Not every step in your acne skincare routine should contain potent treatments because they will do more harm than good for your skin. Be patient and gentle with your skin.
Acne products tend to be drying, and finding a good moisturizer that counted the dryness helped me avoid that.
If your acne persists and gets to a point where all your efforts are in vain, visit a dermatologist because they will undoubtedly give you a proper diagnosis and find a solution tailored to your needs
What acne treatments have you tried, and how did your skin react? Let’s chat in the comments below.
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