Are you tempted to use every acne treatment in your medicine cabinet when you have an acne breakout? Are you perhaps eyeing the spices in your kitchen cabinet for a DIY acne solution? Before you go overboard with DIY or over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments, read this blog. You will learn how to clear your acne without the trouble of uncomfortable skin irritation or discoloration.
For starters, if you have severe acne breakouts on your face (or other parts of the body), it’s best to consult with a dermatologist because OTC meds may not be enough.
Thankfully, a visit with your board-certified dermatologist for acne treatment is covered by most health insurance plans
There are many OTC acne products available to treat mild, or moderate acne. They are available as cleansers, gels, and foams that you can apply at home. But how do you know which one is best suited for your acne-prone skin?
1. Know the active ingredients in your topical acne meds
Acne products can have a variety of active ingredients. The most common acne-fighting ingredients are benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur. Know what active ingredient will work best for your specific needs before making an investment in one.
Pro-tip: adm skincare products are paraben-free, Phthalate-free, sulfate-free. adm skincare products are made with the best ingredients available and they are always made in the USA.
2. Start with lower strength acne products
Start with the most gentle acne products you can find. This will minimize redness, dry skin, and other skin irritation on your face. If needed, gradually increase the strength of acne products or how often they are used to help adjust your skin gradually to this treatment
Pro-tip: adm Purification collection has a blend of active ingredients that are gentle on the skin but tough on mild to moderate acne.
3. Use acne treatments with different active ingredients to treat stubborn acne
When you have stubborn acne, it is good to alternate between different acne skincare products in order to treat the condition more effectively. You can try using one acne product in the morning and then another at night so that your skin doesn’t develop tolerance to the treatment.
Pro-tip: adm Purification collection has a blend of active ingredients that also calm skin inflammation and treat skin discoloration.
4. Be patient when starting an acne regimen
Seeing results when using over-the-counter acne treatment may take up to 3 months, and your skin may get worse before it gets better.
Be patient. The current topmost layer of your skin started the journey to the top 6 weeks ago before you started your acne treatments. The acne medicines start working to create acne-free skin in the bottom skin layer. Over the next 4-6 weeks, your acne breakouts will clear up as the new bottom skin layer journeys to the top.
5. Don’t use too much topical acne creams
Less is more! Apply just enough acne treatment to cover the problem areas and apply it just after cleansing the skin. I often tell my patients to start with a lentil-sized amount of their acne treatment mixed with a non-comedogenic (non-clogging) lotion. Start low and go slow, to reduce skin irritation.
The Key to successful acne management is to know what acne treatments to use.
Having acne is no walk in the park. It can make you self-conscious, it may be painful and there is always a chance of scarring! The key to successful acne management is to know what OTC treatments to use and how to use them and to know when to seek medical advice from your dermatologist and to have.
Call or text 212-229-0007 to request an acne consultation to see Dr. Dele-Michael. Visit admskin.com to purchase our acne-fighting adm purification collection. Complimentary skincare consultation is available for purchases over $150.
