Dermatologist Recommended Acne Treatments

Acne affects over 60 million Americans, and 1 out of 2 adult women. It is by far one of the most common skin conditions and American consumers spend $3 billion each year on acne related treatments (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5574737/ ). Acne can range in severity from the occasional mild breakout to chronic (and sometimes painful) cysts. Acne is caused when the pores of your skin fill with excess oil and dead skin cells; bacteria within the pores then causes them to become inflamed and turn into whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, nodules (solid lumps under the skin), or pimples.

If you struggle with acne, you’ve likely looked for a solution in the past. While there is no cure for acne, there are measures that you can take to alleviate your symptoms.

There are many ways to treat acne, ranging from cleansers and lotions, all the way to medications, or even laser treatments. The best treatment option will depend on the type and severity of your acne.

We don’t want to give you false hope or have you waste money on treatments or products that won’t actually deliver results, so today we’re sharing the best acne treatments, as recommended by dermatologists and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

General Tips For Acne Prevention

Just before we dive into the dermatologist recommended treatments, let’s go over some basic tips for alleviating or preventing acne. Regardless of how severe your acne is, or which treatment method you pursue, these tips will help you relieve your symptoms even more.

Don’t pick or touch your face excessively

Acne is caused by your skin’s production of excess oil. Each time you touch your face you’re transferring additional oil (along with dirt) from your hands to your skin. This is bound to lead to further irritation and breakouts. It’s tempting to want to pop pimples or pick at imperfections in your skin, but it really does more harm than good. Keep your hands to yourself!

Avoid over-cleansing

You may be surprised to learn that there is such a thing as washing your face too much! Over-cleansing leads to dryness and irritation of your skin, which will only exacerbate your acne symptoms. It’s important to wash your face regularly, but try to avoid doing so more than twice per day. Be sure to use a gentle cloth so as not to irritate your skin further.

Use mild cleansers

When you have acne, it’s natural to want to use the harshest cleanser you can find to clean your skin! Similar to washing too frequently, an overly abrasive cleanser can irritate and dehydrate your skin, which may lead to redness and even scarring. Use as mild a cleanser as possible to avoid injuring your skin.

Avoid excess sun exposure

Individuals with acne should avoid excessive sun exposure. UV light is hard on the skin and may cause it to become more inflamed than usual. Additionally, sun lotions are typically quite oily, and when used, may exaggerate the symptoms of acne.

Over The Counter Products

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), products which contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid work well to alleviate mild symptoms of acne. When used consistently, salicylic acid works to unclog pores and prevent future breakouts and blemishes. Similarly, benzoyl peroxide fights the bacteria that causes skin inflammation, and must also be used consistently.

If you experience only the occasional breakout or blemish, these products will likely work for you. Keep in mind that the AAD recommends allowing 4 - 8 weeks before you see results from this type of treatment.

Products containing salicylic acid

Neutrogena, Oil-Free Acne Wash
https://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Oil-Free-Soothing-Cleanser-Salicylic/dp/B002ECVMWM/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1527099570&sr=1-4&keywords=salicylic%2Bacid&th=1

St. Ives, Acne Control Face Scrub
https://www.amazon.com/St-Ives-Control-Scrub-Apricot/dp/B00J4YY4DM/ref=sr_1_17_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1527099570&sr=1-17&keywords=salicylic+acid

Acne Free, Daily Acne Face Wash
https://www.amazon.com/AcneFree-Salicylic-Cleanser-Whiteheads-Blackheads/dp/B013GDK39U/ref=sr_1_18_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1527099570&sr=1-18&keywords=salicylic%2Bacid&th=1

Products containing Benzoyl Peroxide

Neutrogena, Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser
https://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Rapid-Stubborn-Acne-Cleanser/dp/B00S49XI6M/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1527100168&sr=1-7&keywords=benzoyl%2Bperoxide&th=1

Claridad, Acne Treatment Gel
https://www.amazon.com/Peroxide-Treatment-Strength-Paraben-Free-Breakout/dp/B073ZQ5381/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1527100168&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=benzoyl+peroxide&psc=1

PanOxyl, Acne Foaming Wash
https://www.amazon.com/PanOxyl-Acne-Foaming-Benzoyl-Peroxide/dp/B00BD1BXJM/ref=sr_1_10_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1527100168&sr=1-10&keywords=benzoyl+peroxide

Retinoids

Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A and have been proven not only to reduce, but also prevent acne lesions by hindering skin inflammation and limiting oil production. Retinoids can be delivered in topical treatments, such as with creams or gels, as well as in capsules and work best for moderate cases of acne.

Because retinoids work to decrease oil production, using these products may leave your skin feeling dry, red, and even result in peeling while your body adjusts. It’s always a good idea to test a product slowly at first to gauge how your skin reacts. If you’re unsure whether retinoids are a good solution for you, speak to a dermatologist.

Retinoids are available over the counter in mild forms, while more heavy duty forms are available by prescription.

Here are a few topical, over-the-counter retinoid products you may wish to try:

Admire My Skin, Clinically Effective Retinoid Cream
https://www.amazon.com/Retinoid-Compare-Tretinoin-Treatment-Moisturizer/dp/B0721P16T8/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1527130713&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=retinoid+acne&psc=1

Keeva, Tea Tree Oil Acne Cream
https://www.amazon.com/Treatment-Blackheads-Salicylic-Dermatologist-Recommended/dp/B077NW366Z/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1527130713&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=retinoid%2Bacne&th=1

Eva Naturals, Skin Clearing Serum
https://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-Retinol-Niacinamide-Hyaluronic-Salicylic/dp/B01BT02Q88/ref=sr_1_7_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1527130713&sr=8-7&keywords=retinoid+acne

Medications

Antibiotics
According to the Mayo Clinic, some types of medicines can be helpful in reducing symptoms of acne. It is never advisable to take antibiotics for a prolonged period of time, because it may lead to drug resistance and a weakened immune system. However, if you have a severe case of acne, this method of treatment may be worth considering.

These drugs work to kill off the bacteria that cause inflammation associated with acne. The most common antibiotic for this type of treatment is a tetracycline or a macrolide. If you’d like to pursue this form of treatment, you will need to speak to your dermatologist.

Isotretinoin (Accutane) Pills
(https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6662/isotretinoin-oral/details)

Isotretinoin is an oral medication that is used to treat chronic cystic acne. A commonly recognized brand of this drug is Accutane. It is a prescription medication that is usually used when acne hasn’t responded to other forms of treatment. Isotretinoin works to inhibit your skin’s oil production, which in turn prevents inflammation and the subsequent scarring that comes with chronic acne. Because the medication is so potent, it isn’t recommended for women who are pregnant or liable to become pregnant. If you suffer from severe, cystic acne, speak to your dermatologist about this medication as it could be a promising solution.

Other Forms Of Treatment

Laser & light therapy
Laser and light therapies are emerging forms of treatment for acne. There are different types of light treatments, including Infrared, Photodynamic therapy, and Photopneumatic therapies, all of which have been shown to alleviate acne symptoms in different ways. This type of treatment usually involves multiple sessions and is often used in conjunction with another treatment method. To learn more about how you might benefit from light therapies, speak to your dermatologist.

Chemical Peel
Chemical peels work to strip your skin of dead cells, which clog your pores and cause breakouts. Typically these treatments consist of a higher concentration of acidic substances (such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid) than you would encounter in your typical facial cleanser.

Because these treatments are highly acidic, they can cause a lot of skin irritation, but they can also be highly effective.

You can have a chemical peel performed by your doctor, or you can purchase an at-home solution and administer it yourself. Keep in mind, the at-home solutions are much less concentrated than those used by doctors.

Here are a few at-home chemical peels you may wish to try:

Jessner’s Chemical Peel Treatment
https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Obsession-Anti-aging-Anti-acne-Treatment/dp/B00E3AZWGK/ref=sr_1_14_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1527132649&sr=8-14&keywords=chemical+peel+acne

QrxLabs Treatment
https://www.amazon.com/Glycolic-Acid-Chamomile-Green-Extracts/dp/B01MZEYLWG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1527132649&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=chemical+peel+acne&psc=1

MedPeel 30% Glycolic Acid Peel
https://www.amazon.com/MedPeel-Glycolic-Acid-30-Peel/dp/B07BJJGTXK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1527132649&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=chemical+peel+acne&psc=1

As you can see, whatever your acne symptoms may be, there are many different treatment options. Have you tried anything that works exceptionally well? Share it with us in the comments!

Sources

American Academy of Dermatology
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/acne

Mario Badescu
https://blog.mariobadescu.com/acne-by-the-numbers-9-statistics-about-acne-infographic/

WebMD
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/understanding-acne-treatment#1

Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5574737/

Acne Treatment
https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/skin/a18650/acne-treatment/

Laser & Light Treatments
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/lasers-and-lights-how-well-do-they-treat-acne