Key Messages You don't treat acne, you prevent it. There is no one best or ‘one-size fits all’ acne treatment. So preventing acne requires some patience and some experimentation to find the right program for you. Finding the best topical medications - medications you put on your skin - depends on your skin type. For oily skin, choose a solution or gel-based product. For dry skin, choose a cream or lotion-based product. It is helpful to look in the mirror and decide whether your acne is mostly: inflammatory (redness + swelling); plugging (whiteheads + blackheads) or both. Treatment Basics
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Key MessagesYou don't treat acne, you
prevent it. There is no one best or ‘one-size fits all’ acne
treatment.
So preventing acne requires some patience and some
experimentation to find the right program for you.
Finding the best topical medications - medications you put on your skin - depends on
your skin type.
For oily skin, choose a solution or gel-based product.
For dry skin, choose a cream or lotion-based product.
It is helpful to look in the mirror and decide whether
your acne is mostly:
inflammatory (redness + swelling); plugging
(whiteheads + blackheads) or both.
Treatment Basics
Talk to your doctor about acne. Below is a list of common (but not all) medications for acne.
Benzoyl peroxide (2.5% to 5%) products are available
without a prescription and are usually tried first for mild to
moderate inflammatory acne.
Then youcan add a retinoid or
an antibiotic.
Generally, products require 8 to 12 weeks for
noticeable improvement.
Some products may initially worsen acne - you
need to give it time.
Don't just apply acne products to your individual
pimples!
Apply acne products to all the skin area that you
commonly get pimples to reduce the chance of
further breakouts.
Isotretinoin has some side-effects and cannot be
taken by pregnant women...
...but it is the most effective agent for acne.
Product Best For Works By Applied Common Side Effects
• Can bleach hair, clothing, bed sheets; lingering odor
• Water-based product less irritating
• Benzoyl peroxide-containing soaps and washes are less effective
• Benzoyl peroxide can degrade other products. Use a commercial combination product or space out application times if also using a retinoid or antibiotic.
• Irritation can be minimized by gradually increasing wear time (e.g., applying every other day initially; or, wearing for 2 to 4 hours per night increasing to all night as tolerated)
• Topical benzoyl peroxide is safe in pregnancy
Salicyclic Acid(.5 to 2%)
(e.g. Clearasil Ultra Vanishing Treatment Cream, Noxzema Anti-Acne Gel or Pads, Neo-strata Blemish Spot Gel, Oxy maximum cleaning pads, foaming face wash)
Reducing plugging by exfoliation
• Very commonly used, as available over the counter, but not nearly as much research support compared to other first line agents such as BP or retinoids
Non-prescription, topical
Mild to moderate acne
Reducing inflammation and P. acnes bacteria
At bedtime or up to twice daily
Skin irritation, redness, flaking
Mild acne At bedtime or twice daily
Drying of skin, irritation, redness, flaking
*Concentrations above 5% require a prescription
mild to moderate acnemild acne
bedtimeplugging
inflammation
twice daily
Product Best For Works By Applied Common Side Effects