Acne
The Best Acne Treatments Recommended by Dermatologists
Have you ever felt like you’re on a never-ending quest to clear your breakouts?
Do you feel like you have tried every acne product under the sun?
Yet clear, healthy skin remains as elusive as a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
With over 30 years of experience treating the skin, we’re here to help you take control of your acne.
So join us as we look at the best acne treatments.
The Best Acne Treatments
The oil on your skin’s surface is a complex blend of sebum, lipids, skin cells, sweat, and pollutants that build up in your pores.
By incorporating products containing sebum-regulating agents, you can effectively control hyperactive sebaceous glands, restoring your skin’s balance whilst eliminating the food source for harmful bacteria.
So, let’s dive right in to understand the best treatments for acne in more detail.
We have also written extensively about treating acne in our free g, guide, which you can read here.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is one of the best acne treatments, known for its traditional yet highly effective approach. Its brilliance lies in its ability to penetrate deep into the pores, where it slows the flow of excess oil and eradicates the bacteria responsible for your acne outbreaks.
Beyond this, it boasts potent anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritated skin and quelling the redness associated with acne flare-ups. It offers a multifaceted solution that addresses the root causes and visible symptoms of acne.
Vitamin. A
One of the best acne treatments is vitamin A, which has unique comedolytic properties that influence the natural exfoliation of skin cells and oil within the pores. It is highly effective for treating blackheads, whiteheads, and inflammatory papules.
Vitamin A is also vital for addressing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Our A+ skin shot contains it.
Azelaic acid
This versatile skincare ingredient has a knack for addressing a range of skin concerns.
It reduces inflammation, effectively calming irritation and redness in conditions like rosacea. Its antibacterial properties make it a formidable weapon against acne breakouts.
Azelaic acid also plays a crucial role in normalising skin cell shedding, preventing clogged pores, and gently exfoliating to improve skin texture.
Moreover, it combats hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production and fading issues such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and melasma.
As an antioxidant, it shields your skin from free-radical damage, promoting long-term skin health. However, it is UV sensitive, so you should use it carefully with sunscreen.
Urea
This becomes a skin saviour, combating acne and fungal culprits by metabolising the antimicrobial peptide LL-37. It also helps to reduce Malassezia, which is often the cause of fungal acne.
But that’s not all—it is also an excellent hydration molecule. If your skin lacks moisture, it can lead to clogged pores, which result in the unfortunate combination of excess oil and trapped dead skin cells, manifesting as blackheads and acne.
If you’re interested in learning more about the wonders of urea, we’ve curated a comprehensive article that reveals its multifaceted benefits. This skin-saving molecule combats acne and fungal infections and maintains optimal hydration levels.
Benzoyl peroxide
This powerful antibacterial and antiseptic neutralises C acne bacteria by infusing oxygen into the pores. It also plays a crucial role in reducing inflammation around pimples, making them appear less inflamed.
Conventional acne treatments
When topical solutions fall short, dermatologists have a more robust arsenal at their disposal. Some of the best acne treatments are oral medications such as antibiotics and hormone therapy. Let’s take a look at this in more detail:
Isotretinoin (commonly known as Roaccutane)
Sourced from vitamin A, Isotretinoin is administered orally and is typically prescribed for severe acne. This medication takes a multifaceted approach, targeting the sebaceous glands to reduce excess oil production while inhibiting bacterial proliferation.
Vitamin A Derivatives (Retinoids)
Retin-A (Tretinoin) is a prescription cream that can cause initial redness and itching, discouraging some from using it regularly. Retinol is a milder option; both can be excellent for acne care.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics combat acne by eradicating the bacteria that cause pore blockage and inflammation. Common examples of antibiotics include tetracycline and macrolides.
Antibiotics should be prescribed only for limited periods to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Spironolactone
A synthetic steroidal androgen receptor blocker that curtails your body’s sensitivity to androgens such as testosterone, thereby reducing sebum production and preventing breakouts and acne.
It has excellent results in women with imbalances in estrogen and progesterone or those dealing with hyperandrogenism, which is characterised by elevated testosterone levels.
Oral Contraceptives (OCs)
These help to manage hormonal acne in women. They function by suppressing ovarian activity and reducing the circulation of androgens, including testosterone, in the bloodstream.
OCs prescribed for acne typically contain a combination of estrogen and progestin, working in tandem to balance the skin’s hormonal environment.
The problem with conventional treatments
Hormone treatments and birth control can temporarily balance your hormones and improve your skin, but they don’t get to the root of the hormonal imbalance.
When you stop using oral antibiotics, the breakouts may return even worse. Additionally, oral antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and alter oral microbiota.
Isotretinoin, a powerful acne medication, has the potential for serious side effects, including dry skin, chapped lips, itching, aches, and even the risk of depression.
It’s important to note that Accutane is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The contraceptive pill is often recommended because it suppresses ovulation and reduces sebum production.
The problem is that once the pill is stopped, the ovaries resume hormone production, causing a surge in androgens, which sends sebaceous glands into overdrive. It’s a vicious cycle.
To conclude. The naked truth
The journey to straightforward, radiant skin often feels like an endless quest. Each new product promises a solution to the persistent challenge of acne.
The best acne treatments include salicylic acid’s potent exfoliating power and the multifaceted benefits of azelaic acid; each ingredient promises clearer, smoother skin.
Ye, oral medications such as isotretinoin, hormone therapy, and antibiotics, as this study demonstrates, are available in addition to topical treatments. However, you must recognise the limitations and potential pitfalls of conventional therapies.
Hormonal therapies may offer temporary respite yet often fail to address underlying imbalances, while antibiotics risk breeding resistance and disrupting the delicate microbiota.
Ultimately, it is essential to understand that the quest for clear skin is not merely about surface-level solutions but a holistic journey towards understanding and nurturing the intricate balance of your skin’s delicate ecosystem.
Once you truly understand your skin, you can treat it effectively.
2 replies on “The Best Acne Treatments Recommended by Dermatologists”
Samantha this is really great information, your so knowledgable you really are I follow your articles with interest.
Jeannette thank you so much, I really appreciate the feedback and to know that my information is helping others.