Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It can be caused by many factors like hormones, genetics, diet, stress, and skin care habits. Acne usually appears on the face, but can also develop on the back, chest and shoulders. While acne goes away on its own in most cases, it can still be frustrating to deal with. The good news is there are many effective ways to treat and reduce acne breakouts. Here are some quick answers to common questions on how to reduce acne on your face:
What is the best acne face wash?
Look for a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Avoid scrubbing your skin too aggressively.
Should I use acne spot treatments?
Yes, apply a targeted spot treatment to emerging pimples to reduce inflammation and speed up healing. Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur can help.
Does toothpaste help acne?
No, toothpaste is too harsh and can further irritate skin. Stick to proven acne-fighting ingredients.
Can drinking more water help acne?
Staying hydrated supports overall skin health, but drinking more water alone won’t necessarily clear up acne. Follow a healthy skincare routine too.
Should I pop my pimples?
No, popping pimples can spread bacteria, cause scarring, and delay healing. Leave pimples alone unless extracted professionally.
Understanding the Causes of Acne
To treat acne effectively, it helps to understand what’s causing it in the first place. Here are some of the main culprits behind acne breakouts:
Hormones
Hormone fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can trigger excess oil production and inflammation. This is why acne is common among teens. However, adults can experience hormonal acne too.
Genetics
Unfortunately, some people are simply prone to acne because it runs in their family. Genetics can make someone more sensitive to hormone fluctuations and cause excess oil production.
Stress
Stress doesn’t directly cause acne, but it can worsen breakouts by triggering inflammation and increasing oil production. Managing stress levels can help improve acne.
Diet
While no food directly causes acne, a poor diet high in refined carbs and sugar can increase inflammation. On the other hand, a balanced, wholesome diet can support clear skin.
Oil production
Excess sebum (oil) can clog pores and create a breeding ground for p. acnes bacteria. This leads to breakouts. Some people naturally produce more oil due to hormones and genetics.
Skin cells
Dead skin cells and debris can stick together and clog pores, causing acne lesions to form. Exfoliating helps remove these pore-clogging skin cells.
Bacteria
A strain of bacteria called p. acnes thrives on skin and loves to reside within clogged follicles. This prompts an inflammatory immune response that leads to red, swollen pimples.
Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Acne
Making a few tweaks to your daily habits can go a long way towards preventing acne breakouts and improving your skin’s health. Here are some recommended lifestyle changes:
Wash Your Face Twice Daily
Gently cleansing your face each morning and before bed removes excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria from the skin’s surface. Use a non-comedogenic face wash that won’t clog pores. Avoid scrubbing aggressively.
Shower After Working Out
Rinse off sweat within 30 minutes of exercise to keep pores clear. Sweat left on the skin can irritate acne. Also, avoid wearing tight headbands and hats during workouts.
Change Pillowcases Frequently
Dead skin and oil accumulate on pillowcases, which can transfer back to your skin and clog pores. Wash pillowcases twice a week, or use fresh pillowcases each night.
Avoid Touching Your Face
Hands naturally harbor dirt and bacteria, which get transferred to the face whenever you touch it. This can lead to breakouts. Try to keep hands away from the face.
Manage Stress Levels
Chronic stress can worsen acne by increasing inflammation and oil production. Try relaxing activities like meditation, exercise, listening to music, or journaling to keep stress in check.
Ditch Heavy Makeup
Non-comedogenic mineral makeup is better for acne-prone skin than heavy foundations and concealers, which can clog pores. Always remove makeup before bed.
Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet
A nutritious diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats provides vital nutrients for clear skin. Limit sugar, refined carbs and dairy which may worsen acne. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
OTC Acne Treatments
Using proven over-the-counter products can help kill acne-causing bacteria, reduce oil production, and keep pores clear. Look for these effective acne-fighting ingredients:
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide kills p. acnes bacteria to reduce inflammation. It’s available in face washes, creams and spot treatments. Start with lower concentrations like 2.5% to avoid excessive dryness.
Salicylic Acid
This beta hydroxy acid exfoliates dead skin cells inside pores and reduces sebum production. Use salicylic acid cleansers and serums daily.
Retinoids
Retinoids like adapalene and tretinoin (vitamin A derivatives) increase cell turnover and clear pores. They are available over-the-counter in lower strengths and by prescription in higher concentrations.
Sulfur
Topical sulfur absorbs excess oil, kills p. acnes bacteria, and promotes exfoliation of dead skin cells. It has a strong smell but can be effective for stubborn acne.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient. Use it sparingly in facial cleansers, masks and spot treatments. It may cause irritation in some people.
Azelaic Acid
Derived from grains like wheat and barley, azelaic acid fights acne bacteria, reduces inflammation and helps renew skin cells. It treats both comedonal and inflammatory acne.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Glycolic acid and lactic acid are alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate and deeply cleanse pores. They make the skin’s surface smoother and brighter. Use AHAs 2-3 times per week.
Prescription Acne Medications
People with moderate to severe acne, or types like cystic acne that are resistant to other treatments, may require prescription medications. Here are some commonly prescribed acne drugs:
Oral Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics like doxycycline, minocycline and erythromycin reduce p. acnes bacteria in the skin and decrease inflammation. Long-term use can cause antibiotic resistance, so they are usually prescribed for 6-12 weeks.
Topical Antibiotics
Gels, creams and solutions containing clindamycin or erythromycin are applied directly on acne spots once or twice a day to kill bacteria and reduce swelling.
Oral Contraceptives
Birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin can be prescribed to regulate hormones and decrease androgen levels. This often improves acne in women.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a diuretic pill sometimes used to treat hormonal acne in adult women. It decreases androgen hormone activity and excessive sebum production. Side effects include frequent urination and irregular periods.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a powerful, systemic oral retinoid for severe cystic acne. It treats acne by reducing oil output, exfoliating skin cells inside pores, and decreasing inflammation. Strict supervision by a dermatologist is necessary due to side effects.
Topical Retinoids
Prescription retinoids like tretinoin (Retin-A), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac) increase cell turnover and clear pores. Retinoids may cause initial irritation, peeling and sun sensitivity.
Procedures and Treatments for Acne Scars
While preventing future breakouts is key, existing acne scars also need targeted treatment to help refresh and smooth the skin’s texture. Professional procedures for acne scarring include:
Laser Resurfacing
Ablative or fractional laser technology removes the outer damaged skin layers and stimulates collagen growth. Used for deeper scars. Requires recovery time.
Chemical Peels
Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels exfoliate and resurface the skin by dissolving old, damaged skin cells. Helps with discoloration and shallow scars.
Dermabrasion
A wire brush or diamond wheel abrades the skin’s surface to smooth out scarring. Local anesthetic is used. Redness and swelling lasts for several weeks.
Microneedling
During this in-office procedure, tiny needles puncture the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin. Helps reduce the appearance of acne scars over time with minimal downtime.
Steroid Injections
Injecting a diluted corticosteroid directly into deeper acne scars can help flatten and reduce the appearance of hypertrophic, keloid, and certain depressed scars.
Filler Injections
Injectable skin fillers like hyaluronic acid can temporarily raise depressed acne scars for a smoother look. Provides immediate results but is not permanent.
Subcision
A minor surgical procedure where a needle or probe is inserted under tethered, depressed scars to detach them from deeper structures and promote collagen growth.
At-Home Acne Scar Treatments
In addition to in-office treatments, using the right products and methods at home can also diminish the appearance of acne scars over time. Recommended options include:
Silicone Sheets and Scar Gels
Silicone sheets and ointments help hydrate and flatten raised or keloidal scars when used consistently. Need to be applied daily for 8-12 hours.
Retinoids
Prescription retinoids (tretinoin, tazarotene) or weaker OTC retinols increase cell turnover and collagen production to help smooth scars.
AHA and BHA Exfoliants
Glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids remove dead skin cells and promote new skin growth. Use 2-3 times a week.
Vitamin C Serum
Topical vitamin C has antioxidant properties, evens skin tone, helps produce collagen and may reduce the appearance of discoloration from old acne lesions.
Moisturizing
Keeping scars hydrated with a daily, non-comedogenic moisturizer improves their look and texture. Shea butter, olive oil and ceramides are good ingredients to look for.
Sun Protection
Sun exposure can darken acne scar discolorations. Use SPF 30 daily to prevent further sun damage and inhibit melanin production.
Preventing Future Acne Breakouts
While treating existing acne is important, prevention is the best long-term solution for clear skin. Here are some tips for keeping acne at bay:
Cleanse Gently Twice A Day
Washing with a non-comedogenic cleanser morning and night removes excess oil, bacteria, dirt and debris that clog pores and lead to breakouts. Avoid harsh scrubs and over-washing.
Use Oil-Free, Non-Comedogenic Products
Read labels carefully and avoid products containing coconut oil, cocoa butter and fatty alcohols which can clog pores. “Non-comedogenic” means a product won’t clog pores.
Exfoliate Regularly
Gently exfoliating 2-3 times per week with AHAs or BHAs removes the top layer of dead skin cells and debris to reveal clearer, smoother skin. Don’t over-exfoliate.
Shave Carefully
Shaving can irritate acne-prone skin. Use a sharp, clean razor, shave in the direction of hair growth, and apply a soothing gel afterwards. Change razors frequently.
Keep Hair Products Off Face
Hair gels, mousses and pomades contain pore-clogging ingredients. Style hair away from the face and wash immediately after use to prevent transfer to skin.
Wear Oil-Free Sunscreen
Protect skin from UV rays with an SPF 30 sunscreen formulated for acne-prone skin. Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.
Avoid Touching Face
Hands naturally harbor dirt, oil and bacteria that get transferred to the face whenever it’s touched. Try to keep hands away from face as much as possible.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress can trigger hormonal changes and inflammation that worsens acne. Make time for relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, reading, walking in nature, etc.
See a Dermatologist If Needed
A dermatologist can help diagnose the causes of your acne, create a customized treatment plan, and provide advanced procedures for severe acne. Seek medical help for persistent cystic acne.
Conclusion
It is possible to achieve clear, acne-free skin through a combination of lifestyle habits, over-the-counter products, and professional treatments if needed. Being gentle with your skin, keeping pores clear, and reducing inflammation are key principles for success. While it takes patience and consistency, implementing the right regimen for your skin type and acne triggers can significantly minimize pimples and scarring. A dermatologist can also help diagnose your particular case and tailor solutions to get your acne under control. With the right multifaceted approach, you can successfully reduce acne on your face and maintain the clear complexion you deserve.