Treating acne takes time. There are no quick cures. Most acne treatments take 4 to 6 weeks
to have full effect, so don’t give up on acne products too soon.
Wash your face and any other areas of the body that have acne twice daily with one of the
following cleansers. Always rinse well with clear water. Your face should not feel dry and tight
after cleansing. Overly harsh cleansers can make skin conditions worse. Not rinsing well can
irritate skin.Be sure to follow directions: some washes need to be left on for 1 to 2 minutes.
● Neutrogena oil free acne wash (Salicylic acid wash)
● Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser (gentle salicylic acid wash)
● Clean and Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser (benzoyl peroxide wash)
● Dermacontrol Cetaphil Oil control wash
● Cln acne cleanser (available online)
● Cln bodywash (available online)
If a retinoid cream like Differin is recommended:
Don’t apply at the same time as benzoyl peroxide.
Retinoids are one of the most effective acne medications when used properly, but they take time
to work. They help blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) come to the surface and slough off.
(Your skin may actually look worse the first week or two before it gets better.) It often takes 4 to
6 weeks to significantly prevent new acne lesions from forming. Retinoids can be irritating to the
skin.Start using it every other day until your skin adjusts to it. Never use them during the day.
● At night, after washing and completely drying your face, apply a pea-sized amount to to
your entire face. (Do not just apply it to acne lesions-that wont work.)
If a benzoyl peroxide product is recommended:
Apply a pea-sized amount to the entire face (not just to acne lesions-that wont work!) once or twice daily. Avoid
sun exposure and use sunscreen. If skin becomes red or dry you may be sensitive to the
product.Tell your doctor. Wash hands well after using. Benzoyl peroxide creams will bleach
fabrics. If there is a white film on your skin, you have used too much product.
● 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream like Neutrogena
● 5% benzoyl peroxide cream like Effaclar by Laroche-Posay
● BenzaClin (prescription benzoyl peroxide and antibiotic combination)
If your skin feels dry apply oil free moisturizer like Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Control moisturizer SPF 30 after your acne treatment
Do not pick, squeeze or touch acne lesions!! The average pimple will heal in about 3 days if
left alone. Lesions that have been manipulated can take weeks to months to heal,often with
scarring. If a pimple becomes red and inflamed, use a warm compress (warm wet washcloth held on the pimple for several minutes) to help bring the pus out without squeezing. It’s hard to be patient and leave zits alone, but your skin will look much better
if you do. Every time you touch your face you bring acne-causing bacteria to your skin.
Always wash your skin with a cleanser as soon as possible after working out or
sweating. Sweat will clog pores and make acne worse if not washed away quickly. Wear tank
tops rather than t-shirts to exercise if you’re prone to back acne. Tight or sweaty clothing can
make acne worse.
Wash your hair daily and keep it off your face. Hair styling products can make acne worse by
clogging your pores. If your acne is worse at the hairline stop applying hair styling products.