With humankind racing to conquer Mars, you’d think scientists would have created the magic pill that would eradicate acne. But no! We still have to deal with it—and, for some of us, even long after the teen years have passed. So we empathize with anyone with this skin condition. Having experimented with numerous remedies, both clinical and natural, we share the proven and effective, so you don’t have to undergo the gut-wrenching rigmarole we underwent to wipe out the scourge that is acne.
What Is Acne?
It’s a common skin condition resulting from the interaction of fluctuating hormones, excess oil, bacteria, clogged sebaceous glands, and inflamed hair follicles.
Symptoms
Normally, acne surfaces on the face, upper chest, shoulders, and back. Its physical manifestations are:
- Pimples—raised, reddish, swollen spots
- Cysts—fluid-filled membranous sacs
- Abscesses–deep, cyst-like pockets
- Papules—raised, solid, swollen pimples without pus; often part of a rash
- Pustules—blisters with pus
- Excessively oily skin—from overactive or inflamed sebaceous glands (although people with dry skin can also get acne)
Types
- Acne vulgaris—Named after the bacteria that causes it.
- Cystic acne—Red, painful nodules that join under the skin to form humongous abscesses oozing pus.
Triggers
- Stress
- Genetics
- Oil buildup
- Dirty, oily hair and pillows
- Allergic reactions
- Unhealthy diet
- Medications like steroids (anabolic) and birth control pills
- Erratic hormone levels from life stages: menstruation, puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Effective Treatments
Clinical Treatments
Mild Acne
- Benzoyl peroxide—5% antibacterial solution
- Alpha hydroxy acids—The glycolic acid form is acne-appropriate. Apply either topically.
Moderate Acne
- Antibiotics—clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline. The first two can either be ingested or applied topically. The rest are taken by mouth. All have side effects, so doctors closely monitor patients taking them, especially women prone to vaginal yeast infections. Doctors say minocycline is the most effective, but it causes dizziness/headaches and discolors the skin. Erythromycin causes tummy aches and bacteria often become resistant to it.
- Topical formulas—They come in various formats: emulsions, ointments, mousse, gels, creams, sprays, roll-ons, and lotions. They sensitize skin to sunlight, so minimize sun exposure when using. It takes three to four weeks for improvement to show.
- Tretinoin—Benzoyl peroxide inactivates it, so don’t apply both simultaneously.
- Azelaic acid—Lightens skin and causes minimal irritation. It can be used by itself or with tretinoin.
- Tazarotene
- Adapalene
Severe Acne
- Oral contraceptives—Beneficial to women whose acne worsens with menstrual periods. Improvements surface within two to four months.
- Corticosteroids—Dermatologists cut and drain abscesses, then inject these into them.
- Tretinoin—Applied topically, this makes skin sensitive to sunlight. So users need to wear sunscreen and protective clothing when out in the sun. Marked improvement takes three to four weeks.
- Isotretinoin—The stronger, oral version of tretinoin, this drug is effective and powerful but has serious side effects, especially potential harm to a developing fetus. Use isotretinoin as a last recourse and only for extreme cases. Results appear after 20 weeks, but if further therapy is needed, a four-month waiting period is necessary.
Natural Treatments
- Tea tree oil
- Ozonated olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Vinegar
- Wet/dry ice
- Zinc
- Chasteberry tea
- Topical terpenes
- Powdered nutmeg and honey
- Collagen supplements
- CBD (cannabidiol) oil
- Aloe vera
Natural remedies are typically effective with rare side effects, if any. However, they take longer to work than allopathic methods, which have side effects. If acne doesn’t clear up with organic therapy within three months, it’s time to consult a dermatologist.
If your acne is concentrated on the chin and under the nose, also consult a gynecologist because you may have PCOS. These location-specific breakouts are external manifestations of this reproductive system disorder.
Repair and Rejuvenation
Dermatologists treat severe acne scars depending on location, shape, and depth. They cut out individual scars and sew the skin back.
Scar Removal Methods:
- Laser resurfacing—for multiple shallow scars
- Chemical peel facial
- Subcision—improves wide, indented scars
- Microdermabrasion—sloughing off the skin’s surface with an abrasive metal instrument to remove scars
- Collagen injections—serums may include fat and synthetic materials
- Manual extraction—Dermatologists remove black/whiteheads with comedone extractors, open pimples with sterile needles, and use loop extractors to drain clogged pores.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy—Combined with microneedling (injecting with tiny needles), “vampire facials” boost collagen production, hasten wound repair, smoothen rough skin, and reduce wrinkles and acne scars.
Preventive Measures
What to Avoid
- Granulated cleansers
- Greasy moisturizers
- Washcloths
- Wearing makeup to bed
- Forcibly squeezing pimples
What to Use
- Disposable tissues, not face towels
- Salicylic acid-based cleansers
- High-quality sunscreens and face masks
- Hypoallergenic skin-care products and water-based makeup
Acne-friendly brands:
- Clinique
- Neutrogena
- Celeteque
Find What Works for Your Skin
The above remedies resulted from extensive research, consultation with physicians and holistic medical practitioners, and trial-and-error from personal experience. We sifted through the muck to present only the gems in this fact-finding mission. We hope at least one will alleviate your suffering and get rid of your acne permanently.