Acne: Causes, treatment, and tips

There’s no denying that acne can contribute to emotional distress. In fact, research estimates that 9.4 percent of people worldwide have acne. Your skin has tiny holes called pores that can become blocked by oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt. If you have a mild case of pimples, you can use over-the-counter facial washes and cleansers to help alleviate the problem. Acne occurs when the pores of your skin get clogged with excessive sebum or dead skin cells. The white fluid is pus that is formed by sebum, bacterial infection, and dead skin cells.
Of course, anyone can develop whiteheads, but certain complexions seem to be at more of a risk. They can pop up anywhere, too—on both your face and your body. That makes these red, irritated skin bumps with the whitish center one of the most common types of pimple, and one that may disproportionately affect women, found one study. You might not be able to fully prevent back acne, but you can reduce the risk of it worsening or causing additional breakouts. More severe or painful back breakouts often require treatment from a medical provider. OTC retinoids can help unclog pores, allowing benzoyl peroxide to work better.
When you’re eager to get rid of imperfections on your face, we know how crucial it is to drown out the noise and stick to products that actually work. That might mean scaling back your retinol usage to only four or five nights a week instead of all seven, and using the alpha hydroxy acid on the nights that you don’t use your retinol. "Retinols are extremely helpful as they increase skin-cell turnover and therefore help bring cells to the surface to prevent their formation," says Dr. Nussbaum.
However, how to get rid of pimples and acne noting that many of these home remedies don’t have strong scientific support, so more studies are required to confirm their efficacy. Sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. By preventing dead skin cells and debris from accumulating within pores, this also serves to reduce the risk of future acne outbreaks. It is important to not take too much zinc as this can cause side effects such as appetite loss, headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea.
“If you notice scarring or you’re extremely bothered by your acne, don’t wait to see someone.” “The challenge with antibiotics is that they’re helpful but we don’t want to keep people on them longterm, and if you stop them, the acne tends to come back.” For those who have more red, inflammatory acne, Dr. Perkins recommends trying products that contain benzoyl peroxide, which is available in washes and creams. Salicylic acid helps exfoliate the skin’s surface to remove dead skin cells and cut down on oil production.
Topical retinoids clear up moderate-to-severe acne by affecting the way the skin grows and sheds. Antibiotics do not address the other factors causing acne and may take several weeks or months to clear it up. Oral erythromycin is also available, but you may become resistant to its effects, limiting its usefulness. They should always be combined with benzoyl peroxide or a topical retinoid and applied directly to the skin. But using benzoyl peroxide with a topical antibiotic may lower the chances of developing antibiotic resistance. Usually, topical antibiotics aren't recommended alone as an acne treatment, as they can raise the risk for antibiotic resistance in skin bacteria.
If you need a strong OTC option, look for a 10% benzoyl peroxide product. Try using it daily, and leave a layer of the product on your back for 2-5 minutes before rinsing. You'll likely need to use most treatment products for at least 6-8 weeks before seeing results.
“However, it’s a short-term fix, and it’s not something to apply regularly,” she adds—meaning you shouldn’t use it more than once or twice daily for two days, max. In Dr. Turegano’s experience, though, “a 1% over-the-counter cream can at least help soothe inflammation for particularly angry pimples,” especially if you’re experiencing pain or tenderness. However, Dr. Turegano says they could be worth trying since there’s relatively little risk. Plus, research shows that it also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help minimize the size and discomfort of a cystic zit brewing beneath the surface. “[Sulfur] may not be as fast-acting, but it’s usually less irritating for those with sensitive skin,” Dr. Turegano says. “Put a little dab on the spot and leave it on overnight,” Dr. Rodney recommends.
"I would recommend avoiding refined flour, sweets, and processed carbohydrates," says Dr. Fenton. Dr. Fenton explains that removing fat from dairy makes it more concentrated and causes it to be absorbed by the body faster, meaning hormonal spikes occur more quickly. How to treat hormonal acne has a lot to do with your diet, namely the consumption of dairy.
“You’re getting sweaty and dirty and you might not get to wash your face for a while. Dr. Perkins advises against this as it increases the risk of introducing bacteria into your skin, which can lead to infection and scarring. Additional medications include spironolactone, an oral medication that blocks certain hormones in the body that may contribute to acne, especially in women. There’s also isotretinoin, an oral retinoid formerly sold under the brand name Accutane, which is highly effective but requires close monitoring due to side effects.
Side effects of topical retinoids include redness, dryness, and itchy skin. Topical retinoids don't have the severe side effects of oral retinoids, but they aren't recommended for pregnant or nursing women. They can be used along with other acne products, such as benzoyl peroxide and oral antibiotics.
“You can speed things along by applying a warm compress to the pimple and this will help push the contents to the surface faster and help the whitehead drain naturally,” explains Dr. Yadav. After cleansing, consider swiping one of these 2% salicylic acid toning pads over your skin to unclog pores and remove dirt, dead skin cells, and excess oil. The brand's own clinical studies found that after four weeks of twice daily usage, 54% of subjects reported fewer active acne lesions. Powered by benzoyl peroxide, this moisturizer rids skin of acne-causing bacteria. If you’re still battling whiteheads without success, check-in with your doc about prescription oral contraceptives and hormonal blockers which can be used to treat severe comedonal acne, adds Dr. Kobets. Lastly, salicylic acid is also a must since it's a chemical exfoliating ingredient that breaks down dead skin cells and other buildup inside pores so they don't get clogged, says Dr. Yadav.
"Most importantly," she adds, "offering yourself grace and self-compassion when your complexion is offering insight that your body is inflamed is vital." "Too much stress not only causes skin irritation, inflammation, accelerates fine lines and wrinkles, it also contributes to breakouts," says Barr. As difficult as it can be, limiting stress is often key to preventing breakouts. "Disruption of sleep messes with your circadian rhythm and hormone balance between cortisol and melatonin, leading to increased cortisol levels," she adds. Specialists believe that usual treatments such as salicylic acid, niacinamide, or benzoyl peroxide remain the top choices, but they might bother some. Activities encompassing this recommendation range from brisk walking and jogging to more intensive exercises like weightlifting or high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
According to Hernandez, “High amounts of coffee consumption can lead to breakouts in some people. Pimples are typically formed due to clogged pores with excess sebum, dirt, dead skin cells, and sweat. Staying hydrated ensures that your skin is replenished and your pores don’t remain clogged by the excessive production of sebum. If you have a mild or moderate case of pimples, it will take about 4-6 weeks to subside completely. She was prescribed Accutane, a medication for severe acne, which finally cured her acne. She explained that her acne was hormonal and stress-induced.
They can be caused by a variety of factors, including heredity, poor skin care, and stress. That is why many people want to get rid of open pores. The common acne-fighting ingredient, benzoyl peroxide, treats bacteria that contribute to acne, and can, to a lesser extent, help reduce sebum production, Hirsch explains. “End your day with an exfoliating cleanser that contains AHAs/BHAs like glycolic and salicylic acid to remove the day's debris, dead skin cells, and unclog clogged pores,” Obioha says. While it’s best to consult a professional, your face provides some clues on its own, too. Genetics can, of course, play a role, as some people are predisposed to breakouts.
It is considered to be safe for topical application and is not likely to cause side effects. Most people find themselves suffering from an acne outbreak at some point usually during their adolescence when they go through puberty. They’re red, painful, and downright inconvenient.

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Pub: 05 Jun 2026 20:52 UTC

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