Hydrocortisone Cure Acne

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Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for , from ingredients to acne advice.

Rachel is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology. She has contributed to , as well as Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire, Allure, Vogue, and the New York Times, and more

Acne From Steroids: Should You Be Worried?

We've all been there. Your skin is behaving beautifully, clear and calm, with no blemishes in sight. You applaud yourself for finally nailing the perfect skincare routine, post IG stories with no filter, and rock the no-makeup look like no one's business. And then, wham. When you least expect it, a huge, honking pimple pops up out of nowhere. In times like these, there's an unsuspecting ingredient that you can use as a fast and effective spot treatment—and it's one you may already have squirreled away somewhere in your bathroom. We're talking about hydrocortisone cream. Ahead, dermatologists explain exactly how hydrocortisone works, and exactly how you should use it.

Who should use it: Anyone (who isn't allergic to the ingredient) looking to target a specific inflamed breakout, rather than an area of the face.

Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid, a medicine that reduces inflammation, explains Zeichner. It's a common anti-inflammatory treatment for skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, adds Carqueville, and is available both over-the-counter and as a prescription. (A one-percent concentration is the maximum strength available without a prescription). And to the over-the-counter point, it's often a go-to treatment for itchy, irritated, skin problems—think bug bites, rashes, poison ivy, and the like.

Amazon.com: Dynarex Hydrocortisone Cream 1 Oz Tube, 1 Each.

On the acne front, you may have heard of dermatologists using cortisone injections to quickly calm large, angry pimples. While both cortisone and hydrocortisone belong to the same family of corticosteroids, cortisone has to be converted to hydrocortisone in the liver, and won't work topically (hence the injection part). Still, over-the-counter hydrocortisone may offer a similar benefit to the injectable cortisone, says Zeichner. To that point...

It's important to first point out that, because hydrocortisone works by combating inflammation, it's not meant for blackheads or whiteheads, but rather for red, angry, underground pimples, says Carqueville. It's also not something you should be using across your entire face; instead, it's best for super targeted spots and used for only short amounts of time (more on both points in a moment). However, it definitely is effective at combating inflammation. It works particularly well when paired with not only benzoyl peroxide, but also salicylic acid, sulfur, and retinoids: These ingredients work together to reduce the causes of an inflamed pimple—the oil at the skin surface, the clogging of the pore, and the acne-causing bacteria

explains Carqueville. However, it's worth noting that when choosing over-the-counter hydrocortisone for blemish-busting purposes, it's important to seek out a cream formula, rather than an ointment. The occlusive texture of an ointment can be inherently pore-clogging, says Carqueville.

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As mentioned, it's going to work best when paired with other ingredients. Try Zeichner's homemade spot treatment and combine a one-percent over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream plus a product containing two percent salicylic acid plus a product containing two-and-a-half percent benzoyl peroxide (use equal parts of each). Dab this concoction directly onto the pimple. Carqueville suggests first washing your face with a sulfur-based cleanser, then layering the hydrocortisone under a five-percent benzoyl peroxide product in the morning. Repeat this in the evening, swapping the benzoyl peroxide product for one with either a two-percent salicylic acid product or an over-the-counter retinoid. In either scenario, this is meant to be a short-term, quick-fix, and not a regular part of your skincare routine.

So why should hydrocortisone use be limited? Overuse of topical steroids can lead to thinning and discoloration of the skin, cautions Carqueville. She advises using hydrocortisone on a blemish no more than twice daily, for two days max. Zeichner also warns about the overuse of topical steroids (though says you can use hydrocortisone on a blemish for up to two weeks). In an ironic twist, another possible side effect can be even more pimples: Steroid acne is a well-described phenomenon where continuous use of topical steroids causes acne, says Zeichner. Overuse can also lead to steroid-induced dermatitis, perioral dermatitis specifically, which manifests as a red, bumpy rash around your nose and mouth, adds Carqueville. No, thank you.

Along with hydrocortisone, this also boasts a triple oat complex; colloidal oats are a choice skin soother to help further reduce inflammation, says Zeichner. The formula also boasts soothing aloe and vitamin E.

Lloydspharmacy Hydrocortisone Cream 1% 15g

Aloe, linseed oil, honey, and hyaluronic acid make this nice and moisturizing, helping to combat the dryness that can often occur when you're trying to knock out a pimple. (And that can come from the other blemish-busting ingredients you may be pairing it with). It's a bit pricey yes, but one tube lasts forever, and since hydrocortisone can be used for so many things, you are getting a good bang for your buck.

Dermatologists love this brand for its use of ceramides, which play an essential role in keeping your skin barrier strong and healthy. They're found in this OTC hydrocortisone as well, making this an especially great pick if you're looking for a product that you can use not only as an emergency spot treatment but also to tamp down eczema flares.

A drugstore staple, this option is readily-available and rings in at a very wallet-friendly price tag. It's non-greasy, penetrates quickly, and also contains skin-calming aloe.

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Vanicream is another brand beloved by derms, given that their products are geared towards sensitive skin. Case in point: This formula is fragrance-, paraben-, and dye-free, all common irritants. Plus, it's also non-comedogenic, so you don't have to worry about it clogging pores.

Takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Contrary to popular belief, acne isn’t just for teenagers and young adults! A quarter of all women and over 10% of all men will experience acne in their 40s — and with acne could come embarrassing acne scars.

In your quest for a viable solution, you may have heard of hydrocortisone, an ingredient making noise in the dermatology world. But does hydrocortisone help acne scars? Read on to find out!

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Hydrocortisone is a steroid — but don’t let that word scare you! It’s added as an ingredient in topical ointments to treat a variety of skin problems, including:

In addition to itching, these skin conditions may cause swelling and even physical pain, a product of inflammation. Hydrocortisone works by calming down your skin’s inflammatory response.

Hydrocortisone ointments and creams are available either over-the-counter or through a prescription, the difference being the concentration of hydrocortisone. Over-the-counter products have concentrations from 0.1% to 1%, and prescription hydrocortisone cream can have a concentration of up to 2.5%.

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Given all the positive effects of hydrocortisone cream, it makes sense to ask, “Does hydrocortisone help acne scars? Does it help acne at all?”

The answer depends on the type of acne you’re experiencing. When you think of an acne breakout, you probably picture red skin and tiny pustules, which are actually clogged pores. Inflammation is the root cause of these common acne complications. Even a small amount of hydrocortisone cream can reduce this inflammation, making pimples appear less red and less swollen.

Hydrocortisone cream is also an effective cosmetic fix for cystic acne. Cystic acne is different from a typical breakout, as it results in large, hard nodules deep in your skin. They are often painful and appear as swollen lumps — a classic case of inflammation, meaning hydrocortisone cream can offer some much-needed relief. It’s not a long-term fix for cystic acne, but it can definitely reduce the symptoms.

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This simple cosmetic fix can keep you from picking at your skin or trying to pop pimples, leading to less scarring. This applies tenfold for cystic acne. If you attempt to break open cystic acne, it’s almost guaranteed to leave a nasty scar. The inflammation is deep under your skin, so even if you successfully “pop” the cystic acne, it’ll leave a painful, severe wound.

Using other treatment methods in tandem with hydrocortisone may help you achieve better results. For example, one study paired hydrocortisone with the ingredient benzoyl peroxide, which is effective at fighting acne breakouts but can be harsh on your skin. Adding hydrocortisone helped ease the harsh side effects of benzoyl peroxide, resulting in fewer breakouts