If your skin doesn’t respond to benzoyl peroxide in the various over-the-counter higher strengths or in combination with a well-formulated BHA (salicylic acid), the next step is a prescription topical antibacterial, meaning some type of antibiotic, in a liquid, lotion, or gel form. Topical antibiotics have limitations. They can have difficulty penetrating the hair follicle, […]

Benzoyl peroxide, which was briefly discussed above, is considered the most effective over-the-counter choice for a topical antibacterial agent in the treatment of blemishes. (Sources: Dermatologic Clinics, January 2009, pages 33-42; and Skin Pharmacology and Ap­plied Skin Physiology, September-October 2000, pages 292-296.) The amount of research demonstrating the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide is exhaustive and […]

Referred to as beta hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid can be a judicious starting point in the treatment of breakouts for all skin types. This is a multifunctional ingredient that addresses many of the systemic causes of blemishes (Source: Seminars in Dermatology, De­cember 1990, pages 305-308), and it is exceedingly effective when combined with benzoyl […]

Each of the following products and product categories reflects state-of-the-art treatments for blemishes, acne, and blackheads. How to put them all together is addressed above in “The Basics” section. All of the products described below address each of the factors that cause pimples. These are the best options for reducing oil production, disinfecting the skin, […]

So if you can’t trust the terms “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” or “nonacnegenic,” how do you know if a product will cause problems? Why does it seem so impossible to find products that won’t cause breakouts? The simple answer is that it’s because most ingredients used in cosmetics can cause breakouts, depending on your skin type. There […]

But the joke is on us, because while “oil-free” is a meaningless claim, it may mislead consumers into buying products that can actually clog pores. There are plenty of ingredients that don’t sound like oils but that can absolutely aggravate breakouts. On the other hand, not all oils clog pores. Meanwhile, many cosmetics (anything that […]

Incidentally, fluoride in toothpaste may be the source of breakouts around the mouth. The research for this is very old, with a couple of studies published in the 1970s and even the 1950s. That is not exactly current information, but if you tend to have acne just around your mouth, it is simple enough to […]

There is little, if any, scientific evidence that diet affects acne, although specific food allergies certainly can be a contributing factor. But that depends on what you personally are allergic to: not everyone has the same food allergies. Likewise, drinking soda pop, not exercising, popping vitamins, and eating healthy or unhealthy foods will neither help […]

Some women run to see a dermatologist the second they see a blemish. Others put it off well past the time when over-the-counter options have stopped working, even when their breakouts are still rampant. Though there are many options for dealing successfully with breakouts outside the realm of prescription medications, if your acne is severe […]