Acne Treatments that Work

There's nothing worse than waking up with a red, irritated pimple on any day of the week, let alone when there's an important event around the corner. While there are many different causes of acne (hormones, sleep, diet, environment, etc.), we're generally talking about light breakouts here. If you have persistent acne and heavy breakouts, we recommend seeing a dermatologist.

Why do you get acne?

Acne happens when pores become blocked by excess oil and dead skin cells, causing bacteria to grow. It's not just teenagers who get acne; adults are susceptible too. Pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the face, back, and chest all fall under the term of acne.

So, what can you do to treat that pimple?

Here's our list of acne treatment options that work:

1. Topical retinoids: Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A and help the skin replace older cells with newer ones more quickly, which helps unclog pores. A topical retinoid cream (adapalene) can help, but go slowly as retinoids can be drying. Look for Differin and Effaclar, and start with just a pea-sized amount for your entire face. Use it every other night for a couple of weeks to see how your skin reacts. If your skin isn't irritated, then you can move to using it nightly. Cleanse your face first, then follow the retinoid treatment with a gentle moisturizer.

2. Ingredient check: For light acne, try products or cleansers with salicylic acid or tea tree oil. (Learn more about essential oils here.) Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin's surface to remove dead skin cells and cuts down oil production. (Oily skin? Learn the best routine for your skin type.) If you choose to use a retinoid too, then wash with your salicylic acid cleanser in the morning and treat with your retinoid at night. For deeper and more irritated acne, try a cleanser or moisturizer with benzoyl peroxide for its bacteria-fighting power.

3. Don't pop: Popping a pimple can be really tempting, but don't! Popping can lead to scarring, bacterial infection, and increased inflammation. Instead, spot treat with products containing salicylic acid or tea tree oil in the morning and try some pimple patches at night. Pimple patches come in a variety of strengths, with some designed specifically for not-yet-surfaced acne and pimples under the skin. They protect the pimple so it doesn't become more inflamed, and often have acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. You can even find pimple patches for the whole forehead, back, and chest.

4. Wash your face after a workout: If you play sports or work out regularly, be sure to wash your face as soon as possible afterword. Make sure to clean any sports equipment that touches your face (think chin pads, helmets, etc.) and keep gentle face wipes in your bag to get the sweat off in case you can't wash your face right away.

5. Keep it clean: Wipe down your phone and change your pillowcase weekly to minimize exposure to any bacteria, and make sure to wash your hands before you touch your face (or better yet--try not to unless necessary!).

6. Try a facial: Salon Patrice offers several facials and treatments that help treat acne and cleanse pores, including a clay mask facial and oxygen mask facial, plus a high-frequency treatment. (Learn more about high-frequency treatments here.)

Call (815) 223-8643 to schedule an appointment, or see our list of facials and skincare services here.