Acne Adult Medicine

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Fret no more: These dermatologist-backed OTC acne treatments work wonders against pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads so you can finally forego layers on layers of concealer.

“This is an all-in-one user-friendly pad that we recommend our patients use twice a day, ” says Lily Talakoub, M.D., of McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center. First, the glycolic acid removes dead surface skin, and lifts away debris and oils carrying nasty bacteria. The pad also has antioxidants like green tea to smooth skin and witch hazel to tone. What you’re left with is balanced skin that can operate normally without bacterial intrusion, she says.

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For the ultimate all-natural acne-fighting potion that works double duty to spot-treat zits and combat oily skin, look no further. “This product contains multiple antioxidants like [organic] aloe vera, grape juice and witch hazel, and natural lavender oil, ” says dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M.D., of Goldenberg Dermatology in NYC. He says its tea tree and thyme component help fight signs of aging, too. (Just spot-test first, since tea tree oil can be irritating to some skin types.)

The best over-the-counter product for acne is benzoyl peroxide cream, says Marisa Potter, M.D., a dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Aventura, Florida. The active ingredient (which fights the bacteria that can cause painful pimples) is more important than the brand, but Clearasil is a tried-and-true product. Potter recommends using a small amount once per day for acne (though, be warned: it can bleach your clothes and pillowcase).

“This product has found a permanent home in my medicine cabinet, ” says New York City dermatologist Lian Mack, M.D. “Containing sulfur, salicylic acid, and calamine, it easily eliminates my random breakouts, ” she adds.

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“This is a great tool for exfoliating the face to effectively remove pore-clogging dead skin cells, ” says New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D. You also get the bonus benefit of reducing the excess sweat and oil that may lead to acne. “Using the Clarisonic will also help increase the efficacy of the skincare products you apply, ” he adds. Score.

With a medicated gel cleanser, clarifying solution, and acne treatment, this takes care of acne from all angles. “This is the best system, ” says Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor at the George Washington University Medical Center. “Just like the other popular acne systems, it has salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, but the 'secret' ingredient that makes this a winner is the LHA micro-exfoliator. It helps to gently clean pores without irritation, ” she says.

This is a common derm favorite, and New Orleans dermatologist Deirdre Hooper, M.D., of Audubon Dermatology, is just one of the dermatologists who swears by it. “I love Differin for acne and off-label for brown spots and texture, ” she says. Thanks to the retinoid adapalene, it unclogs pores and calms inflammation. Since it can be drying, she recommends using a pea-sized amount and blending it with a moisturizer before applying.

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This is one product derm Jennifer MacGregor, M.D. regularly uses in the morning. This gentle glycolic acid-based cleanser is ideal if you have oily skin and are susceptible to getting blocked pores, she says. Use it in the morning, and follow up with a light oil-free sunscreen moisturizer, she recommends.

Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, resorts to this uber-gentle serum because acne-prone skin “doesn’t like to be overly scrubbed, she says. Its salicylic and azeliac acid content treats blackheads and whiteheads by promoting healthy skin turnover and dissolving clogged pores. It also contains plumping moisturizer hyaluronic acid and anti-aging peptides, to attack signs of aging, too.

, makes a case for using probiotics for acne, too. She loves this serum because it combines skin-balancing probiotics with prebiotics (to feed the good bacteria and help them do their job) and postbiotics (byproducts of probiotics) in order to help strengthen skin’s immune system and restore its healthy balance.

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Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more. She is based in the Chicago suburbs and is a mom to two little boys and rambunctious rescue pup.

Marissa Miller has spent a decade editing and reporting on women’s health issues from an intersectional lens with a focus on peer-reviewed nutrition, fitness trends, mental health, skincare, reproductive rights and beyond, and currently holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell. She is an avid yoga practitioner, half-marathon runner, snowboarder, and former dance coach and choreographer. In addition to Women’s Health, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NBC News, GQ, Vogue, CNN Style, and more. Marissa lives in Montreal with her two cats. She is represented by Howland Literary and her debut novel PRETTY WEIRD will be published by Skyhorse Publishing in 2021.

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8 Ways To Get Rid Of Butt Acne, Per Experts 20 Retinol Serums Derms Swear By 13 Best Derm-Loved Benzoyl Peroxide Products Wax Yourself Like A Pro With These KitsWe spoke to dermatologists about what causes adult acne and rounded up some acne-fighting products that can help combat it based on their guidance.Johner Images / Getty Images ; Acne Free ; Sephora

If you're an adult experiencing breakouts, you may have chalked them up to a change in skin care products, dry winter skin or over-exfoliation — because acne is only meant to pop up on teenagers, right? Unfortunately, one survey of nearly 3, 000 women found that 45 percent of those aged 21-30, 26 percent of those aged 31-40 and 12 percent of those aged 41-50 struggle with clinical acne.

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Adult acne refers to breakouts that occur after the age of 25, and there are a variety of things that can cause it. We spoke to dermatologists about what causes adult acne and rounded up some acne-fighting products that they recommend, as well as some highly rated options based on their guidance, including one we tried ourselves and highly recommend.

According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, there are three types of adult acne: adult onset acne, persistent acne and recurrent acne.

Adolescent acne can develop anywhere on the face, including the cheeks, temples, forehead, chest and back. Adult acne, however, typically manifests on the lower third of the face, which includes the jawline, chin, and upper cutaneous lip, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Erum Ilyas explained.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Scrub, 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Medicine, Daily Face Wash To Help Prevent Breakouts, Oil Free Exfoliating Facial Cleanser For Acne Prone Skin, 4.2 Fl. Oz |

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are the main acne-fighting ingredients dermatologists told us to look out for. Other ingredients they mentioned include azelaic acid, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Below, we rounded up dermatologist-recommended products, as well as highly rated options formulated to combat adult acne based on advice we got from the skin care experts we talked to.

If you're dealing with discoloration as a result of breakouts, Ilyas said this brightening cream can be a welcome addition to your routine. Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid that has the benefit of addressing both breakouts and discoloration, she said. The brand says that the lightweight cream also helps balance uneven tone and texture. To use the cream, apply it morning and evening after your serum.

Ilyas recommended this face moisturizer from La Roche-Posay, explaining that it’s soothing, applies easily and hydrates the skin. According to the brand, it offers 48-hour hydration and can be used on the neck and hands in addition to the face. Its hero ingredient is niacinamide, which Ilyas noted is hydrophilic, meaning it loves water or moisture. The ingredient is also anti-inflammatory and features anti-itch properties as well as antimicrobial activity, she said, which can help those dealing with these as a side effect of inflamed breakouts.

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Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eileen Deignan previously recommended the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash to Select, deeming it her top choice for a salicylic acid acne-fighting product. It contains a 2 percent concentration of salicylic acid, and the brand says it cleanses away dirt and oil that can build up over time. Neutrogena also says it's oil-free, residue-free, and non-comedogenic.

This concentrated formula uses 5 percent benzoyl peroxide to curb hormonal flare-ups and reduce the risk of future blemishes, according to the brand. It also contains medical-grade aloe vera that the brand says helps to soothe hormonally imbalanced skin.

If your issue is blackheads and whiteheads, this pick from AcneFree is a good option. It contains both charcoal and 2 percent salicylic acid, which work to whisk away pore-clogging oil, dirt, and debris, according to the brand.

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Select editor Morgan Greenwald — who often struggles with hormonal breakouts