Acne Encyclopedia: Do Acne Emergency Remedies Actually Work?

For many women, acne is an unwelcome nightmare. Almost everyone will experience breakouts on different areas of the face at some point in life. Inflammatory acne not only causes painful redness and swelling, but can also leave behind scars that impact both appearance and self-esteem. Clinically known as acne vulgaris and commonly called "pimples" or "zits," acne is most prevalent during adolescence due to more active sebum production. However, adults are not immune—many continue to struggle with acne well beyond their teenage years. So, how should acne be treated? Are there natural remedies that actually work? This article also includes recommended treatment options, so don’t miss out!

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What Are the Types of Acne? What Makes Cystic Acne So Tough to Handle?

Acne generally falls into five main types:

Type 1: Papular Acne

This is the mildest form among inflammatory acne types. Caused by clogged pores leading to inflamed sebaceous glands, papular acne appears as red, slightly painful bumps without pus. It’s not very noticeable from a distance and responds well to mild acidic acne products, usually healing within a few days.

Type 2: Pustular Acne

More severe than papular acne, pustular acne features red or pink bumps filled with white or yellowish pus, due to infected and inflamed sebaceous glands. Many people try to pop these pimples, but doing so improperly can worsen inflammation, damage deeper skin layers, and cause scars or pitted marks.

Type 3: Cystic Acne

Cystic acne forms deeper beneath the skin's surface, making it harder to treat. These bumps may be red or pink and feel lumpy or painful to the touch. Treatment typically involves exfoliation and anti-inflammatory topical creams.

Type 4: Nodular Acne

Unlike the previous types, nodular acne extends deep into the skin’s dermis and affects the sebaceous glands directly. Pores become severely blocked, resulting in large, painful, dark red or blood-red lumps. Cystic and hormonal acne fall under this category and often require long-term treatment to heal completely.

Type 5: Mixed-Type Acne

Most people don’t have just one type of acne. It’s common to experience a combination of comedones, papules, and pustules in rotation.

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What Causes Acne?

Acne can be triggered by many factors. One major culprit is improper facial cleansing, which allows oil and debris to clog pores. Other causes include genetics, lifestyle, and hormonal imbalance.

Cause 1: Genetics

Genetic factors play a big role. If your parents have oily skin and are prone to acne, you are likely to inherit this tendency due to more active sebaceous glands.

Cause 2: Stress

Stress disrupts hormonal balance and stimulates oil production, making pores more prone to clogging and leading to breakouts.

Cause 3: Lack of Sun Protection

UV rays can dry out the skin, prompting the deeper layers to produce excess oil, which may lead to clogged pores and acne.

Cause 4: Poor Lifestyle Habits

Staying up late and sleep deprivation can stimulate oil production and increase the risk of breakouts.

Cause 5: Excess Sebum Production

Excessive oil production—due to skin type, medication, or improper cleansing—clogs pores and creates a breeding ground for acne bacteria. Common breakout zones include the forehead, nose, sides of the nose, and chin.

Cause 6: Hormonal Imbalance

Around menstruation, increased androgens can trigger higher sebum production, leading to blocked pores and acne formation.

Cause 7: Diet

Frequent consumption of spicy or greasy food burdens the digestive system and increases oil secretion, raising the risk of acne.

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Natural Acne Remedies: Do Aloe Vera, Mung Beans, and Honeysuckle Work?

Some prefer to treat acne with natural ingredients instead of medicated creams. Aloe vera, mung beans, and honeysuckle are popular options.

Remedy 1: Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing properties. It soothes redness and swelling caused by acne. It can be used in the form of masks or gels to relieve inflammation when applied directly to acne-prone areas.

Remedy 2: Mung Beans

Mung beans have cooling properties that help clear internal heat. They’re especially effective for red, inflamed acne in those with heat-prone constitutions. Mung bean powder can be mixed with water to create a paste for facial masks.

Remedy 3: Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Simply boil honeysuckle in water, let it cool, and use it as a toner to calm inflamed skin.

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Acne Emergency Relief! Follow These 5 Steps to Soothe Your Skin

When breakouts flare up painfully, here are five emergency steps to reduce discomfort and inflammation:

Step 1: Proper Cleansing

Overactive oil glands lead to acne, so proper cleansing is key. Use gentle, non-drying cleansers to remove oil without irritating the skin, which could otherwise produce even more oil.

Step 2: Toner Masking

Using a toner-soaked cotton pad as a wet compress can relieve redness and pain—especially if the toner contains soothing ingredients like calendula or centella asiatica.

Step 3: Lightweight Moisturizing

Even acne-prone skin needs hydration. Keeping skin balanced prevents overproduction of oil. Use lightweight gels or emulsions for optimal moisture.

Step 4: Don’t Pop Pimples

Hands are full of bacteria. Improper squeezing can worsen inflammation and lead to scarring.

Step 5: Acne Creams and Patches

Acne patches help protect the spot and prevent further irritation, while creams usually contain anti-inflammatory agents to speed up healing.

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4 Foods That Help Fight Acne from Within

Incorporating acne-fighting foods into your diet can help reduce breakouts long-term.

Food 1: Omega-3 Rich Foods

Omega-3s help reduce inflammation. Foods like chia seeds, salmon, and other deep-sea fish are beneficial for acne-prone skin.

Food 2: Probiotics

Research shows a strong link between gut health and skin inflammation. Eating probiotic-rich foods can balance gut flora and reduce the risk of acne and blackheads.

Food 3: Green Tea

Rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, green tea reduces inflammation and helps regulate sebum production. Drinking it regularly can improve skin clarity.

Food 4: Vitamin A and E Foods

These vitamins support skin health and regulate oil glands. Foods like carrots, papaya, honey, bananas, nuts, spinach, and kale are all great choices.

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How Do Western Doctors Treat Acne?

If over-the-counter solutions fail to clear your acne, it may be time to consult a doctor. Dermatologists tailor treatments based on acne severity, type, and extent.

Treatment 1: Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics reduce bacteria in the lower layers of the skin and are usually prescribed for 2–3 months. Severe cases may require 6–12 months of continuous treatment.

Treatment 2: Topical/Oral Retinoids (Isotretinoin)

Known as the "ultimate weapon" against acne, retinoids shrink sebaceous glands and reduce oil production. However, they can cause side effects like dry skin, itchiness, liver enzyme elevation, and are contraindicated during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects.

Treatment 3: Anti-Androgen Therapy

For acne caused by excess male hormones, doctors may prescribe anti-androgens to reduce sebum production. Results are typically visible within a few months, though side effects like digestive discomfort and headaches may occur.

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How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) View and Treat Acne?

Many women turn to TCM for a holistic approach. From a TCM perspective, acne is linked to internal imbalances in diet, digestion, environment, cosmetics, and stress. Heat and dampness accumulate and stagnate in the body, rising to the face and causing acne.

TCM practitioners diagnose through observation, listening, questioning, and pulse checking to tailor treatment to each individual’s constitution.

TCM Method 1: Herbal Medicine

Customized herbal prescriptions focus on clearing internal heat, removing dampness, nourishing yin, and detoxifying the body. These help regulate oil production and improve skin metabolism.

TCM Method 2: Acupuncture

Acupuncture targets key meridian points like Yintang, Xiaguan, Xuehai, and Hegu to improve digestive health, reduce internal heat, and restore overall skin balance.

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Editor’s Trial: An Acne Treatment That Works After Just One Session? My Cystic Acne Visibly Shrunk!

Sometimes, no matter how many topical acne products you apply, they just don’t work. When your face is covered in breakouts, opting for a medical aesthetic treatment might actually be a good solution. It can also reduce the chances of future acne flare-ups. This time, I tried the Perfect Medical Acne Treatment!

Before the trial session, I just had to fill in a quick form on their website with some personal details—it only took about 5 minutes. Within half an hour, I received a confirmation SMS. On the day of the trial, all I had to do was show the message to the staff—super convenient!

The entire experience was smooth and comfortable. At Perfect Medical, the beauty consultant first conducted a professional skin analysis to understand my acne concerns, then explained the science behind the treatment. It turns out this treatment uses a patented vacuum microdermabrasion technology, which gently and painlessly removes dead skin cells. It effectively clears away old keratinized layers, helping to unclog pores and greatly reduce the chance of acne forming.

After going through all the treatment info, we finally got to the part I was most excited about—trying the Acne Treatment myself. The therapist used a handheld device to slowly “vacuum” my entire face. Afterwards, I saw the dirty, yellowish-brown water that had been suctioned out of my skin—it made my face feel super clean and refreshed! Once that step was complete, the therapist applied a proprietary serum across my face to balance oil production and keep it hydrated.

I honestly think the treatment is quite effective. I had one huge cystic pimple that shrank noticeably and was no longer red or swollen afterward! Plus, my skin was clearly less oily than before, and even the blackheads had diminished!

Overall, I found the Perfect Medical Acne Treatment to be very gentle. It’s completely non-invasive and doesn’t damage the skin at all! If you’re interested, you can register via the link below—don’t miss out!