Treating adult acne can feel like one big science experiment—until now. This is the guy’s guide to adult acne. Read the rest of the stories here.
EVERYONE KNOWS NOT to squeeze a pimple, so what’s a grown-ass man supposed to do to clear his acne? Consider this your official guide to treating breakouts at home or with the help of a dermatologist. Below are the most effective ingredients available in over-the-counter (OTC) acne products.
Use ’em daily to keep breakouts at bay and combine them for the best results…provided your skin doesn’t freak out. Whether you use an ingredient in a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, or as a targeted spot treatment depends on what your skin can handle. As a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells and dissolves excess sebum that can clog pores, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital.
It can be effective in facial cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, or spot treatments, but a body wash is ideal for larger areas like the back or chest. You’ll spy the ingredient in 0.5% to 2% concentrations, though the latter is considered most effective for acne-prone skin. BP is a winner because it “lowers the levels of acne-causing bacteria and has some anti-inflammatory effects,” Dr.
It can be irritating, so use a lower percentage (2.5% to 10% is the FDA-approved range) for a leave-on product, and a higher concentration for a rinse-off product. Try: Neutrogena Evenly Clear Acne Cleansing Mask No, you won’t smell like rotten eggs—and if you think of yourself as the sensitive type, sulfur (at 3% to 10%) is a solid, nonirritating option that absorbs oil, inhibits bacteria growth, calms redness, and mildly exfoliates. It’s a popular ingredient in spot-treatment products and face masks.
Best For: Blackheads, whiteheads, and mild red bumps on sensitive skin Try: The PanOxyl Pore Refining Acne Mask Once available only by prescription, adapalene is a dermatologist favorite, even at its 0.1% OTC concentration. Like other topical retinoids such as retinol, which speed skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, it also has anti-inflammatory properties. (Bonus: As a vitamin A derivative, it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles too.) Best For: All types of acne on mature skin Of all the alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) out there, glycolic acid can be a great option for someone who is acne prone, says Dr. Much like salicylic acid, glycolic acid removes dead skin cells and loosens excess sebum to de-gunk pores.
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