Key Points
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Knowing how to get rid of acne involves knowing which foods trigger acne breakouts.
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Acne may last several years, but it varies from person to person.
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When it comes to knowing how to get rid of acne, you must be able to identify the best acne-fighting ingredients in skincare products.
Acne doesn’t discriminate. It affects people of all skin types, ethnicities, and ages – and especially teenagers. Acne-prone patients continually struggle to get rid of acne. Popping pimples in hopes of eliminating them leads to redness and inflammation. Open wounds invite infection which often results in unsightly scars.
You may find yourself losing patience and self-esteem as you wait for your acne-ridden face to heal. Acne-fighting ingredients are your best bet if you’re wondering how to get rid of acne. Adapalene, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are some of the best ingredients that tackle zits.
In short, don’t pop your pimples; instead, look for these key ingredients when shopping for skincare products.
How Long Does Acne Last?
How long acne lasts depends on the person. Stress, diet, genetics, and other factors can cause acne. If you don’t find and treat the root causes of your acne, it may not disappear until you address the underlying causes.
One of the biggest causes of acne is hormonal changes during puberty. Acne begins during puberty and may last from 5-10 years, but it may follow you into adulthood. The good news is that most acne is treatable; the tricky part is finding the right acne treatment. Since each case is different, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to acne.
Does Acne Go Away Naturally?
Acne is inevitable, especially in your teenage years. Acne often clears up on its own, but it may become worse or more severe.
Some teens embrace their pimple-ridden skin rather than hiding or covering their faces with makeup and bandages. However, if your acne bothers you to the point that it affects your daily life, it may be time to do something about it.
Finding the right acne treatment and practicing healthy skincare habits are vital to achieving clear, healthy skin. If your acne is persistent, stubborn, severe, and painful, it’s best to visit a dermatologist for treatment.
What Foods Naturally Reduce Acne?
Don’t rely on skincare products to save your skin; embrace healthy eating habits, too. Not only does your diet affect your health, but it also makes or breaks your skin. Foods and drinks high in sugar and carbohydrates alter hormones that may trigger breakouts.
These foods increase your blood sugar, causing your sebaceous glands to produce oil that makes your skin prone to acne and inflammation. Cow’s milk is also associated with acne.
Several studies show that sticking to a low-glycemic index diet reduces acne. A low-glycemic diet involves eating foods that won’t significantly spike your blood sugar levels. This diet consists of non-starchy vegetables, certain fruits, beans, whole grains, and other low-glycemic foods.
Pay attention to your skin and the foods you eat to determine if you see more or fewer blemishes as you adjust the foods in your diet. Keep a journal to track foods and breakouts to learn which foods to limit and cut out of your diet. If you decide to journal, however, keep in mind that foods can stay in your system for many days; thus, tracking the specific foods that trigger bodily reactions can be tricky.
How To Get Rid of Acne Fast?
Acne won’t disappear overnight or in a few short hours – especially in severe cases. If you have a few pimples here or there, using pimple patches is a fast way to treat them.
Pimple patches extract the oil, bacteria, pus, and other gunk from the surface of your skin. If your acne is widespread, consider using topical acne products like the ones detailed below.
Best Acne-Fighting Products
There are many over-the-counter acne treatments available, which makes choosing the correct one for your skin type a challenge. Consider the following skincare brands and products that are proven to be effective for acne.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
The Differin Adapalene Gel is one of the best-loved over-the-counter retinoids for acne. It was also the first retinoid approved by the FDA available without a prescription. This affordable option is suitable for people 12 years of age and older. If you’re a teen just beginning puberty or an adult still struggling with acne, this treatment is a great go-to option.
This prescription-strength formula is very potent to effectively fight and prevent acne symptoms. It absorbs deep into your pores, balancing cell turnover to stop the build-up of dead skin cells from clogging your pores.
Differin prevents whiteheads, pimples, blackheads, clogged pores, and other acne blemishes. By eliminating acne, this treatment evens out skin tone and texture. Its acne-fighting formula also minimizes redness and inflammation.
There are temporary side effects that come with it, which can linger for a few weeks until your skin adjusts to the medication. All retinoids have the potential to irritate, sting, burn, and dry out the skin. Remember that your skin may look worse before it gets better.
La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid For Acne
Another highly-recommended acne-fighting gel is the adapalene retinoid by La Roche Posay. This over-the-counter medication is nearly identical to the Differin Gel. Both products use adapalene as an active ingredient, but they differ in the brand name, inactive components, size, and cost.
Like the Differin Gel, this product treats low to moderate forms of acne, including blackheads, whiteheads, clogged pores, and more. It also stops acne from developing in the first place.
Avoid these products if you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding. While oral retinoids cause birth defects, it's unclear if over-the-counter topical retinol or retinoids are safe during pregnancy.
Vichy’s Normaderm S.O.S Acne Rescue Spot Corrector
Vichy’s spot treatment tackles many of the acne culprits that form breakouts. This blemishing-fighting product is formulated with sulfur, which has anti-inflammatory properties. It mattifies the skin to shrink acne blemishes and prevent breakouts.
With the help of glycolic acid, this corrector removes dead skin cells that clog pores. The niacinamide ingredient reduces inflammation, controls pore-clogging oil, and calms redness.
This product is free of oils, parabens, and fragrances, making it friendly to oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types. This corrector is safe for pregnant women, making it a great alternative to acne-fighting retinoids.
Use it as a spot treatment or apply it evenly across larger areas with acne. This lightweight treatment has a creamy texture that allows for a smooth application on the skin.
Happy customers who tried this product love how quickly it reduces and clears their blemishes. Some are even calling it a miracle healer. Other beauty consumers are not so fond of the sulfur scent in the product. If you overlook its unpleasant smell, consider this product a part of your skincare routine.
CeraVe Acne Control Gel
The CeraVe Acne Control Gel is a dermatologist favorite that eliminates, prevents, and improves acne. It’s an exfoliating and hydrating product free of drying alcohol and oil.
It’s formulated with salicylic acid — a chemical exfoliant that removes dead skin build-up and excess oil to unclog pores. With the help of niacinamide, this gel alleviates acne symptoms like redness and inflammation. It’s packed with three ceramides that preserve and restore your skin’s protective barrier by locking in moisture to prevent dry skin.
Additionally, this product improves skin tone and texture. Although it's marketed as an acne treatment, its formula contains skin-repairing ingredients that "improve the look of sun damage discoloration [and] it can improve the look of sun spots if you deal with milia," according to Houston-based dermatologist Andrea Suarez.
This over-the-counter product has become a go-to for beauty consumers as it corrects many skin issues at an affordable price. Satisfied customers report they like the product’s consistency and that it doesn’t dry out their skin.
They also like how quickly it makes their pimples go away. Positive reviewers seem to get the most out of this product when using it as a spot treatment to target certain pimples or areas with breakouts. Apply it to areas that need it the most and avoid applying it to the areas around the eyes.
Some users found the product drying on their skin. The product also comes with a sunburn alert to warn customers that it might make their skin more sensitive to the sun and increases the likelihood of sunburn. Make sure to use the product during the evening or night and slather on sunscreen before going outside.
If you find this gel irritating or drying, introduce the product slowly into your skincare routine. Test it out for one or a couple of days during the week and slowly increase to daily use when you feel your skin can tolerate it.
How to Choose the Right Acne Treatments
Besides the products above, there are many other acne-fighting ingredients and products available for acne-ridden skin. Explore other tips, tricks, and skin care products for acne.
There are no one-size-fits-all treatments that are guaranteed to work for everyone. Your skin is unique and so is your acne.
Over-the-counter treatments are usually effective for low to moderate cases of acne. If you have severe forms of acne or stubborn acne that don't go away with skincare products, these retail products may not work for you.
If drugstore acne treatments fail to accomplish the improvements you’re looking for, you may need stronger acne remedies. If you have severe or persistent acne, it’s best to visit a dermatologist so they can prescribe a more potent treatment tailored to your skin concerns.
Consistency Is Key
Slow and steady wins the race; start gradually and be consistent with your acne treatment to give it time to clear your skin. Besides skincare products, follow an acne-friendly diet to minimize acne blemishes.
It's time to take control of your acne!
