Acne Treatments: What Are Your Options?
There are several effective acne treatments, and the right choice depends on the type and severity of your acne.
1. Topical treatments
- Benzoyl peroxide: Good for red, inflamed pimples; can bleach fabrics and cause dryness.
- Adapalene and other retinoids: Help prevent clogged pores and treat both blackheads and pimples.
- Salicylic acid: Helps remove dead skin and unclog pores.
- Azelaic acid: Treats acne and may help fade post-acne dark spots.
2. Prescription treatments
- Topical antibiotics: Sometimes used for inflammatory acne, usually together with benzoyl peroxide.
- Oral antibiotics: Can be used temporarily for moderate inflammatory acne.
- Hormonal treatments: Certain options can help women whose acne is influenced by hormones.
- Isotretinoin: A highly effective oral treatment for severe, scarring, or treatment-resistant acne. It requires medical supervision.
3. Supportive skincare
Use a gentle cleanser, non-comedogenic moisturizer, and SPF 30+ sunscreen. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, picking, and repeatedly switching products.
When to see a dermatologist: painful deep nodules, scarring, widespread acne, significant distress, or acne that isn’t improving after a consistent treatment trial.
For many people with mild-to-moderate acne, a combination of adapalene + benzoyl peroxide is a particularly well-supported starting approach.
