Editor-Tested Acne Treatment: Is This the Most Effective Acne Treatment Ever?

Acne is a common struggle for those with oily, combination, or sensitive skin—regardless of gender. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for acne! In this article, we’ll break down the eight major causes of acne, five types of acne, five emergency acne-fighting tips, and treatment options for red and brown acne scars. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of acne creams and patches, six everyday tips for preventing breakouts, and how dermatologists tackle acne at the root. If you’re dealing with hormonal acne, clogged pores, cystic acne, or blackheads, bookmark this comprehensive acne guide!

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Know This Before You Start: 8 Common Causes of Acne

1. Clogged Pores

Understanding how acne forms is step one. It results from a combination of three factors: abnormal keratinization of the skin, excess dead skin cells clogging pores, and overproduction of sebum inside blocked follicles. When acne bacteria come into contact with the trapped sebum, they multiply and cause inflammation, resulting in pimples. If there’s no inflammation, it’s called a blackhead.

2. Hormonal Imbalances / Menstrual Cycle

For many women, monthly breakouts before their period are a regular occurrence. That’s because both men and women produce androgens and estrogens, and higher levels of androgens boost oil production. This leads to sticky, thickened keratinocytes that clog pores—setting the stage for acne. Hence, treating acne often feels like a never-ending monthly cycle.

3. Poor Lifestyle Habits

Late nights, stress, and lack of sleep raise cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which increases oil production. Recent studies show high-GI foods, sugar, and dairy products can also worsen acne by stimulating insulin secretion. So, cutting back on refined sugar, dairy, and high-GI foods—and getting enough sleep—are simple ways to prevent acne.

4. Internal Heat & Poor Digestion (TCM Perspective)

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view, internal heat is a major acne trigger. Cold foods, air-conditioned environments, and lack of exercise lead to dampness and heat in the spleen and stomach, affecting digestion and causing acne with blood stasis. Overeating fried or “heaty” foods and sleep deprivation can lead to liver heat and kidney deficiency, resulting in inflamed red pimples.

5. Constipation or Poor Bowel Movements

Gut health is closely tied to skin health. Irregular or difficult bowel movements can signal an imbalance in the body. Constipation traps water and toxins in the colon, which can reflect on the skin as dullness, dryness, or acne.

6. Over-Exfoliating

Sebum isn’t always the enemy. Natural oils form a barrier on the skin’s surface, locking in moisture and providing protection. Over-washing or over-exfoliating strips this barrier, making skin dry, sensitive, and more prone to bacteria. Preserving your skin’s natural oils is a crucial first step in treating acne.

7. Bacterial Contamination

Towels, shared cloths, unclean makeup tools, and poor cleansing habits all introduce bacteria to the skin. Humid bathrooms make towels hard to dry—creating the perfect breeding ground. Switch to disposable face towels, clean makeup tools regularly, and thoroughly remove makeup, especially if using high-SPF products.

8. Smoking and Alcohol

While many invest in skincare and healthy diets, smoking and drinking work against those efforts. They slow skin regeneration, increase free radicals, deplete collagen, and reduce hydration and vitamin absorption (especially B and C), making skin dull and acne more likely.

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Know Your Enemy: 5 Types of Acne

Before starting treatment, identify which type of acne you're dealing with. For severe acne, it's best to consult a dermatologist.

Non-inflammatory Acne – Blackheads & Whiteheads

These are milder forms of acne. When pores get clogged with sebum and dead skin, it forms a semi-solid mix. If the pore is closed, it’s a whitehead. If exposed to air and oxidized, it becomes a blackhead. These often appear on the nose and cheeks.

Inflammatory Acne – Papules, Pustules, Cysts, Nodules

1. Papules – Small red bumps that may or may not form a head. They result from inflamed clogged pores and usually cause mild pain.

2. Pustules – Larger, inflamed pimples with visible white or yellow pus heads. These are more swollen but may not always be painful. Only extract when fully mature.

3. Cystic Acne – Also known as "underground" acne or cysts, these often appear along the jawline or chin before menstruation. They're caused by hormonal imbalance and develop deep in the dermis. These take a long time to heal and often leave scars.

4. Nodular Acne – Severe and deeply inflamed, these form clusters of cysts under the skin and may require medical treatment. Usually caused by hormonal imbalance or enlarged sebaceous glands.

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Emergency Acne Treatments: 5 Quick Fixes

1. Switch Your Cleanser

Use a cleanser designed for acne-prone skin. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, fruit acids, or zinc to reduce oil and gently exfoliate—helping whiteheads come to a head for easier treatment.

2. Use Anti-inflammatory Ingredients

Don’t rush to squeeze a pimple. Use serums or toners containing tea tree oil, centella asiatica, retinoids, salicylic acid, or fruit acids to disinfect and reduce inflammation. A toner with alcohol can also reduce excess oil and prevent new breakouts.

3. Opt for Lightweight Sunscreen

Don’t layer heavy skincare and whitening products when acne is present. Keep your routine simple—hydration, inflammation control, and redness reduction are key. Choose lightweight, mineral-based sunscreens that control oil and prevent bacteria growth.

4. Extract Properly Without Scarring

Best done after a shower when pores are soft. You can also use a warm towel or clay/acid mask to soften the skin. Sanitize hands and tools, gently prick the head, and press out the pus. Avoid touching the wound and disinfect immediately with acne solution—no creams or serums afterward.

5. Red vs. Brown Acne Scars

Red scars signal inflamed blood vessels. Brown scars form when inflammation occurs deep in the dermis, stimulating melanin. Use exfoliating acids for brown spots, and anti-redness products for red ones.

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Acne Creams & Patches: Pros and Cons

Acne Creams/Lotions

Typically contain alcohol, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, salicylic acid, zinc, sulfur, or fruit acids, often paired with hydrating or brightening ingredients like vitamins B, C, and E. These help dry out acne, reduce redness, kill bacteria, and speed up skin turnover.

Cons:

Best used short-term. Long-term or excessive use can dry out the skin, especially if it's already dehydrated. Overuse may lead to flakiness, irritation, and worsen acne in the long run—making acne scars harder to fade.

Acne Patches

These protect inflamed pimples and keep the area moist—especially useful if you need to wear makeup over acne wounds. They block bacteria and pollutants, reduce inflammation, and can speed up the formation of a whitehead. Acne patches also absorb pus and fluid, keeping the area clean.

Important Reminder:

While acne patches are effective in absorbing fluid and tissue fluids, they can become saturated and may foster bacterial growth. Therefore, it is important to change acne patches regularly to prevent worsening the acne condition. If an acne patch becomes saturated, it might even hinder the healing of the wound. Additionally, acne patches are nearly ineffective for closed comedones like whiteheads and cystic acne.

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What You Should Know Before Using Acne Treatments – 4 Main Acne Treatment Products

As mentioned earlier, acne creams and gels often contain active ingredients aimed at killing bacteria, reducing inflammation, constricting blood vessels, and controlling oil production. Some common ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids), salicylic acid, fruit acids, sulfur, and tea tree oil. These ingredients are widely recognized as quick and effective in treating acne. Let’s break down the key ingredients in different acne products.

2%-10% Benzoyl Peroxide: Acne-causing bacteria thrive in blocked pores, and these bacteria are anaerobic (they don’t require oxygen to survive). To effectively target and kill these bacteria, it’s crucial to release oxygen, which is where benzoyl peroxide excels. It penetrates the pores, releasing oxygen that kills the acne-causing bacteria quickly and effectively without leading to antibiotic resistance.

Tip: Benzoyl peroxide acne creams typically come in concentrations of 2%, 5%, and 10%. It’s best to start with the lower concentration to avoid irritation, redness, itching, and swelling. If using a benzoyl peroxide acne gel that leaves a white residue, do not wipe it off during use. However, you should remove it before going outdoors or before exposing your skin to sunlight.

10%-20% Azelaic Acid: Azelaic acid, also known as azelaic acid, is a very mild acid, making it suitable for most skin types with minimal side effects compared to higher-concentration fruit acids or retinoids. Azelaic acid helps dissolve excess keratin, improve blackhead problems, and reduce inflammation and bacterial growth. Its biggest advantage is that it can be used during the day, as it does not cause photosensitivity or trigger acne outbreaks. It also significantly inhibits abnormal melanin production, making it effective for treating blackheads and post-acne pigmentation.

Tip: Many people believe that azelaic acid doesn’t help with red acne marks. However, it can promote skin metabolism and exfoliation to some extent. For faster improvement of red acne marks, it might be better to consider other targeted ingredients.

0.2%-2% Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is a well-known acne treatment ingredient. It dissolves excess oil, unclogs pores, reduces inflammation, and promotes skin metabolism, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. Its ability to penetrate the pores and exfoliate dead skin cells also makes it particularly beneficial for oily skin.

Tip: High concentrations of salicylic acid can be irritating to the skin and may lead to allergic reactions. It’s best to start with a lower concentration. Salicylic acid is excellent for dissolving blackheads, but for exfoliation and brightening effects, fruit acids may be more effective. Therefore, to treat post-acne marks and brighten the skin after acne recovery, fruit acids should be used.

Less Than 10%-15% Fruit Acids: Fruit acids come in various types, including mandelic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and others. Each has its own benefits, but for convenience, you can opt for a mixed acid product. Fruit acids not only help prevent acne formation, promote skin renewal, and lighten acne marks, but they also moisturize, lock in water, stimulate collagen production, and have anti-aging effects. Because the molecules of fruit acids are very small, those above 10% can penetrate the dermis to stimulate collagen production, making it a holistic skincare ingredient.

Tip: High-concentration fruit acids (20%-30%) used in professional peels are usually administered by professionals in clinics. If used at home, there is a risk of allergic reactions or even skin burns. Fruit acids are not necessarily an emergency acne treatment, but they are excellent for preventing blackheads, maintaining skin health, and improving overall skin texture.

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What You Should Know Before Using Acne Treatments – How Dermatologists Treat Acne?

There are countless ways to treat acne, but for severe acne, it's not advisable to self-medicate or purchase acne treatment products without professional guidance, as this could waste money and worsen the acne condition. So, how do dermatologists typically treat acne?

Dermatologist's Approach to Acne – Mild Acne: For mild acne, dermatologists may prescribe topical medications like antibiotic creams or gels, Vitamin A acid-based creams, and may also recommend oral antibiotics. They may also guide patients on proper cleansing and moisturizing routines.

Dermatologist's Approach to Acne – Severe Acne: For more severe acne, oral medications are often necessary in addition to topical treatments. Oral medications for acne may include antibiotics, medications to suppress male hormones (such as contraceptive pills), or oral Vitamin A acid-based treatments.

Dermatologist's Approach to Acne – Laser Treatments: Laser treatments are effective for killing bacteria, controlling oil production, improving skin texture, and boosting collagen production to lock in moisture. This helps restore skin health, balance water and oil levels, and reduce oil secretion. It can also enhance skin metabolism, prevent pore keratinization, and accelerate the removal of acne scars. Laser treatments can be part of a regular skincare routine for people with acne-prone skin, helping to prevent acne outbreaks or worsening.

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Dermatologist-Prescribed Oral Acne Medications

Antibiotics Antibiotics are the first-line medication used by dermatologists to treat acne. They are generally tried before starting an oral Vitamin A acid treatment. Antibiotics are milder and have fewer side effects, and if they don’t provide ideal results, a Vitamin A acid treatment may be considered. While antibiotics effectively suppress acne-causing bacteria, long-term use can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and may potentially lead to antibiotic resistance.

Vitamin A Acid Severe acne patients may need to undergo a Vitamin A acid treatment. Vitamin A acid can significantly promote metabolism, dissolve excess oil, cause slight shrinkage of sebaceous glands, reduce oil secretion, and has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there are many side effects associated with oral Vitamin A acid. Those who are preparing for pregnancy, already pregnant, or breastfeeding should not take it, as it may also harm liver function. Individuals taking high doses of Vitamin A acid must undergo regular blood tests to ensure their liver function remains normal. Common side effects of oral Vitamin A acid include dry, peeling skin, eyes, and lips, or even a condition known as Vitamin A dermatitis due to excessive dryness.

Male Hormone Suppressors To treat acne, controlling oil secretion is key. However, dealing with excessive oil secretion may require more than just regular oil-controlling skincare products. If a dermatologist diagnoses the root cause of severe acne as hormonal imbalance, specifically elevated male hormone levels, medications that suppress male hormones may be prescribed to reduce oil secretion and keratinization issues in the pores.

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What You Should Know Before Treating Acne – 6 Daily Acne Tips

1. Proper Face Washing Routine

To treat acne, controlling oil secretion is crucial, but washing your face excessively is not advisable. Washing your face repeatedly strips away the skin’s natural oil barrier, which can imbalance the skin’s metabolism by causing it to dry out, leading to potential skin sensitivity and worsening the acne. Repeated washing can also result in loss of moisture and bacteria contamination. For acne-prone skin, using a mild, simple face wash with slight oil-control ingredients once in the morning and once at night is sufficient.

2. Regular Use of Fruit Acids

Acids are great helpers in treating acne. Don’t wait until you have acne or want to treat acne scars to use fruit acids. Ingredients like fruit acids and salicylic acid not only reduce inflammation and swelling, fight bacteria, and whiten the skin, but also offer many skincare benefits such as unclogging pores, inhibiting bacteria, and stimulating collagen production for anti-aging effects. You can use fruit acid masks once or twice a week, or opt for skincare products containing low-concentration fruit acids or salicylic acid for daily morning and evening use. Typically, you’ll notice noticeable skin rejuvenation effects the morning after using fruit acid products the night before.

3. Vasoconstrictor Skincare Products

For some acne patients, the main concern is not cystic acne or dark black/brown acne scars, but persistent redness and stubborn red acne marks that won't fade. The redness is often due to blood vessel proliferation and dilation. Whitening products that target pigmentation may not be as effective in this case. For those troubled by redness and red acne marks, skincare products specifically labeled for “redness reduction” can be helpful.

4. Sun Protection Morning and Night

If you want to treat acne scars, don't skip sun protection. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are the skin's biggest enemy, accelerating the destruction of collagen, causing moisture loss, and leading to rapid skin aging. UV rays also stimulate melanin production, which can worsen pigmentation when acne wounds are still healing. Protecting your skin from the sun is essential for preventing acne scars from becoming darker. Always apply sunscreen, regardless of whether it's sunny or cloudy, as it’s one of the best skincare habits.

5. Develop Healthy Daily Habits

Foods high in oil, processed items, sugar, dairy, and deep-fried foods can burden your digestive and liver systems, leading to internal heat or insulin spikes. Whether from a Western medical or traditional Chinese medicine perspective, carefully selecting food is crucial in preventing acne. Avoid foods and drinks that trigger acne, and adopt habits like early bedtime, early rising, and regular exercise to successfully tackle minor acne.

6. Regular Aesthetic Laser Treatments

For persistent or recurring acne, since the primary causes of acne include excessive oil secretion, keratinization of the pores, and bacterial overgrowth, regular skincare products may struggle to address the root problem. Medical aesthetic laser treatments can penetrate deeper layers of the skin, targeting the sebaceous glands and blood vessels, stimulating collagen production, and improving overall skin health. These treatments can restore balance to the skin, reduce oil secretion, enhance metabolism, and accelerate the elimination of acne scars. A monthly laser treatment is highly recommended for preventing acne issues from worsening.

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My Personal Experience with Perfect Medical’s Acne Treatment: Will It Prevent Recurrent Cystic Acne?

Many women have experienced acne at some point in their lives, and having acne on the face can really affect appearance. Personally, I’ve struggled with cystic acne on my chin from time to time throughout my life. I’ve tried many different methods like acne creams and acne toners, but none have effectively solved the recurring “period pimples” issue. Recently, I decided to try a beauty treatment to see if it could help with my acne problem!

I chose to try the Perfect Medical Acne Treatment. Before trying the treatment, I registered online, and the process was simple. After filling in a few personal details, I received a confirmation text and was ready for the treatment!

Upon arriving at the Perfect Medical branch, the therapist carefully analyzed my skin and explained the treatment process to me. It turns out that this acne treatment uses a bi-directional spiral suction drainage technology to clear the pores, remove dead skin, and cleanse the pores of impurities, allowing the skin to return to a clean state from within. This reduces the chances of cystic acne forming!

During the treatment, I felt no pain at all. The therapist started with a deep cleanse, using suction to remove impurities. Afterward, I noticed my skin feeling much smoother! They then applied a special acne serum, which felt cool and soothing. After the treatment, I could clearly see that the cystic acne on my chin had become less red and swollen, and the redness improved significantly!

If you have cystic acne like I did, I highly recommend trying it! Perfect Medical is currently offering a free trial for this acne treatment. All you have to do is register online for a free experience. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity!