How To Get Rid Of Acne? Editor’s 10-Year Acne Journey Revealed

As someone who has battled acne for over a decade, I understand the agony of constantly breaking out all too well.

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My 10-Year Journey to Clear Skin: Secrets to Restoring Healthy Skin

How to get rid of acne is something 80% of women want to know! Pimples and acne can follow us from adolescence all the way into middle age. Many people still deal with breakouts well into their 30s, and even more women struggle with hormonal breakouts before their period, cystic acne, and chin pimples. I started getting acne in secondary school and it persisted well into adulthood. I’ve tried everything from glycolic acid, laser, fractional laser, antibiotics, and isotretinoin, to drinking Chinese herbal medicine for two years, applying herbal masks, and even acupuncture. So, which acne treatments actually work? I’m finally revealing the secrets that helped transform my acne-prone skin into healthy skin.

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Understand the Causes Before You Treat Acne

This might sound repetitive, but reviewing the basics is still useful. If your skin’s natural renewal cycle is disrupted, you’ll need to exfoliate regularly. Overactive oil glands might mean it's time to change your skincare and sunscreen products. Imbalances in acne bacteria may require medication to control oil, and hormonal disruption calls for lifestyle changes and internal balance.

Acne Cause #1: Poor Skin Metabolism

Modern life is hectic—irregular hours, poor diet, and chronic sleep deprivation. Beyond causing chronic gastritis, it also messes with your metabolism, which leads to poor skin cell turnover. When your skin barrier is damaged or skin cells lose vitality, the renewal process slows, dead skin accumulates, clogs pores, and acne forms.

Editor’s Tip:

You know it—sleep early, wake early, and drink plenty of water. I’m a “hydration freak,” and I also work out 3–4 times a week to keep my blood circulation alive. Even if I get the occasional breakout now, it matures and heals quickly.

Acne Cause #2: Excess Sebum

The tricky part of acne is that even doctors can’t always pinpoint the exact cause. In my case, it took years to realize I was naturally oily with high androgen levels. Too much sebum causes skin cells to become sticky and clog pores. Trapped oil mixes with bacteria and turns into a pimple volcano. As I’ve aged, my oil glands have shrunk and produced less sebum, which means fewer breakouts.

Editor’s Tip:

I took Chinese herbs for two years and did three rounds of antibiotics—none cured my acne. As I got older, my sebum production naturally declined, easing the problem. But I still get the occasional chin or cheek pimple. What really helped was staying on a low dose of isotretinoin and getting a monthly “Breakup with Acne” treatment at Perfect Medical to suppress oil production and starve acne-causing bacteria.

Acne Cause #3: Overgrowth of Acne Bacteria

Our skin hosts a wide range of bacteria. The infamous Propionibacterium acnes is part of the skin’s natural flora but goes into overdrive when there’s excess oil. Its waste products trigger inflammation. Controlling this bacteria means reducing oil production—but many people overdo it by using high-alcohol toners morning and night, which may instead cause allergic reactions or rosacea.

Editor’s Tip:

I don’t avoid alcohol in skincare altogether, but I limit it to one mildly alcoholic product, usually a toner. It also works well for disinfecting after popping a pimple. Toners with low concentrations of glycolic or salicylic acid help reduce buildup and are great for acne-prone skin. I avoid using cotton pads though—just pat with your hands to prevent over-exfoliation and irritation.

Acne Cause #4: Hormonal Imbalance

The human body is a delicate machine that’s easily thrown off balance. Acne-prone skin can be triggered by countless factors—one day it's milk, another day it's sugar. Even minor hormonal shifts can disrupt the system. Before menstruation, estrogen (which improves skin and reduces oil) drops, and progesterone rises. That’s why many women break out on their chin or get cystic acne before their period—hence the term “period pimples.”

Editor’s Tip:

Thanks to aging, isotretinoin, and laser treatments, I’ve shifted from oily to neutral skin—but I’m still acne-prone and get the occasional breakout around my neck before or after my period. The only way to deal with hormonal imbalance is through regular sleep, gut health, and avoiding unnecessary supplements. I cut back on dairy, sweets (even fruit), and heaty foods. Studies confirm milk triggers acne, and sweets contribute to gut-related inflammation, often causing pimples around the mouth and chin.

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Common Acne Mistakes: Over-Cleansing and Picking Your Skin

1. Overly Harsh Cleansers

Many people with recurring acne wash their face three times a day, trying to eliminate every drop of oil. This backfires—stripping too much oil can turn oily skin into dry or sensitive skin and worsen inflammation. Harsh herbal soaps or alkaline cleansing bars can also dry out the skin. Acne cleansers shouldn’t aim to exfoliate or kill bacteria aggressively. Cleansing only takes 3 minutes—just find a product that leaves your skin clean but comfortable. Face wash is not acne medication.

2. Picking Pimples or Scabs with Your Fingers—Trim Those Nails!

Fingernails harbor just as many germs as your skin. First step in acne care: cut your nails, skip the manicures, and stop touching your face. Your fingers collect bacteria all day, and combined with mask friction, this wears down the skin barrier. Picking at pimples interrupts healing, increases risk of infection, and leads to worse scarring.

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How to Tackle Acne Correctly: Act Early on Pimples and Blackheads

1. Different Acne Types Need Different Treatments

Blackheads and red pimples: Often caused by rich skincare, poor sleep, too much sugar or spicy food. Your oil production spikes, and when heavy products are added, pores get clogged. Switch to lightweight skincare—just toner, serum, and sunscreen. Use products with glycolic acid and spot-treat with acne creams or antibacterial essential oils.

Whiteheads (pus-filled pimples): Don’t pick or rub them. Just avoid touching them during skincare, and apply acne cream right after washing your face. In the morning, apply acne patches before sunscreen. The patch's salicylic acid helps bring the pimple to a head. Only do extractions when the pimple is fully matured; doing it too early causes scarring.

Cystic acne: These purple-red or dark pimples are “immune” to most treatments. Even acne creams don’t work well, but consistent exfoliation can help them surface. Add anti-redness and anti-inflammatory skincare to reduce pigmentation caused by inflammation. Never squeeze cystic acne—if it bursts inside, it could cause widespread infection.

Post-acne marks: Fading acne marks can be easy or difficult. Younger people have faster skin turnover and can see fading within two weeks. But as we age, cell renewal slows down—even mosquito bites take months to fade. Use acidic ingredients like glycolic acid (the smallest AHA molecule) to break down intercellular bonds, shedding dead skin and fading pigmentation.

2. Use Acids—But Concentration Matters

Glycolic acid dissolves the glue between skin cells, helping oxidized dead skin shed faster. Start slow—5–20% is enough. Over 20% should be done professionally, as it requires neutralization and carries burn risks. Don't DIY high-acid peels at home.

3. Swap Foundation for Mineral Powder

People say, “Don’t wear makeup if you have acne,” but no one wants to walk around with visible acne scars. Mental health matters too! Use water-free mineral powder instead of foundation, concealer, or blush. It won’t suffocate skin and offers color correction, pore blurring, scar coverage, physical UV protection, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

4. Use Acne Patches for Wounds and Whiteheads

Opinions vary, but I use acne patches after extractions or on stubborn whiteheads. They protect open wounds from contamination and help bring whiteheads to the surface by sealing in heat and salicylic acid. However, patches don’t help with scarring or cystic acne.

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Special Face Washing Tips for Acne – Celebrity-Approved Acne-Clearing Routine!

1. Do you still need to wash your face after removing makeup? Do you need to remove mineral powder?

Only you can answer that. Everyone has a different skin type. If your skin feels tight, uncomfortable, red, or rough after washing post-makeup removal, consider using a cleanser that can also remove light makeup. If your skin stays fine after cleansing, then stick with your current habit. As for me, I usually just remove makeup without cleansing afterward. When my skin feels sensitive, I use a gentle cleansing gel; when it's okay, I go for a stronger cleansing balm. The key is not to over-cleanse.

2. Only exfoliate physically if you're dealing with acne scars, not active acne

We're not demonizing physical exfoliation, but if your face is full of inflamed acne, scrubs (like coffee grounds) can damage scabs and force your skin to start the healing process from scratch. This worsens inflammation and pigmentation. The longer acne takes to heal, the darker the post-acne marks become.

3. Water temperature matters — too hot or too cold is no good

Cold water is suitable for neutral or dry skin. For oily acne-prone skin, lukewarm water is best. Water that's too cold shrinks pores and traps impurities, preventing makeup and sunscreen from washing off properly. On the other hand, hot water strips moisture, dilates blood vessels, and causes redness.

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Acne-Prone Skin Cleansing – Step-by-Step Breakdown, Proper Emulsification is Key!

Step-by-step makeup removal for acne-prone skin: If you're using a remover that handles sunscreen or light makeup, emulsification is crucial to avoid clogged pores.

1. Adjust the water to a lukewarm temperature, wet your hands, and shake off excess water — hands should be just slightly damp.
2. Press your damp hands onto your dry face and repeat wetting and emulsifying.
3. Continue until the remover turns milky white all over the face, then gently massage with fingertips, focusing more on areas with large pores.
4. Don’t massage too long — a few seconds per area is enough. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of lukewarm water.

Step-by-step face washing for acne-prone skin:

1. Wet your face.
2. Dispense a coin-sized amount of cleanser and lather it in your palms.
3. Apply the foam starting from the oiliest areas of your face.
4. Massage in circular motions from the center outwards — five seconds per area is enough. Don't forget your hairline, jawline, and neck.
5. Rinse off the foam with plenty of lukewarm water. Avoid leaving the cleanser on too long.

Note: Don’t try to use makeup removers or cleansers to extract blackheads or whiteheads. This can dry out your skin excessively or push remover residue deeper into pores, causing blockages and triggering full-blown folliculitis (yes, I’ve made that mistake before).

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5 Low-Cost Acne Remedies Celebrities Swear By

Several famous actresses have shared their favorite low-cost acne tips. Here are a few worth trying:

1. DIY Green Tea Ice Cubes

Freeze green tea into ice cubes and apply to pimples to reduce swelling and pain. It helps constrict blood vessels, calm redness, and soothe the skin.

2. Spot treatment with tea tree or lavender oil + witch hazel toner

Tea tree and lavender oils are antifungal and anti-inflammatory. Dermatologists recognize their acne-fighting effects. Dab them onto pimples or acne marks after cleansing morning and night. Witch hazel acts as a natural astringent that controls oil and tightens pores.

3. Use diluted apple cider vinegar as toner

One actress uses diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner or dabbed directly onto pimples. It tightens pores but may not suit everyone—especially those with active or severe breakouts. Check with a doctor before trying, to avoid making things worse.

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Everyday Acne Tips – Non-Clogging Makeup Routine

1. As mentioned, acne bacteria thrive in oxygen-deprived environments. To keep skin breathable, switch to tinted physical sunscreens.

2. If you must use concealer, avoid full-face coverage. That’s basically using concealer as foundation. Let your skin breathe by spot-concealing only on scars or healed pimples using clean fingertips. Brushes can harbor bacteria.

3. If using mineral powder, skip setting powder. If using other sunscreens, gently pat on a finishing powder for oil control. It instantly mattifies the skin, hides pores, and keeps your face fresh all day.

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Everyday Acne Tips – Go All In on Cutting Sugar, Even Fruit!

1. Eat “clean” and low-oil meals. Get healthy fats from nuts.

Acne-prone skin should avoid greasy or oxidized food like deep-fried dishes—restaurant oils are often poor quality. My usual breakfast: a salmon rice ball, four walnuts, and hot black coffee. It’s not high in fiber, but it’s clean and packed with good fats. Healthy fats help regulate hormones.

2. Cut out coffee or black tea if they make you “too hot”

Dairy, yogurt, and even coffee or tea can trigger inflamed acne if they cause internal heat. This can result in bloating, constipation, and worsened skin. Watch your body's signals.

3. Cut back on fruit and sweet pastries

I don’t have a sweet tooth, so quitting sugar was easy. Modern fruits can have a sweetness level of 12 or more! If you’re like me, go for low-sugar fruits like wax apples, bananas, and blueberries. Sweet pastries are high in sugar, fat, and sodium. From a TCM (Chinese medicine) perspective, they cause internal damp-heat — not good for acne.

4. Exercise strengthens your skin and speeds up metabolism

Many acne articles talk about diet, extraction, and exfoliation but rarely mention exercise. Just five minutes of movement gets your blood flowing! A daily 20-minute cardio session can sweat out internal dampness, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and speed up acne healing by boosting blood circulation and skin cell turnover.

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4 Acne-Fighting Nutrients You Should Eat More

1. Zinc

Zinc boosts immunity, supports healthy skin metabolism, speeds wound healing, and reduces follicle keratinization. It helps prevent and fade acne.

Rich sources: Oysters, liver, meat, eggs, fish, walnuts, sunflower seeds, whole grains.

2. Vitamin A

Acne sufferers know this one — isotretinoin and tretinoin creams are derivatives of vitamin A. It promotes cell turnover, heals wounds faster, and keeps keratin production in check. Great for healing and anti-aging.

Rich sources: Cabbage, tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins, cucumbers, spinach, mung beans, walnuts.

3. Vitamin C

Our bodies can't produce vitamin C, so dietary intake is essential. It’s a powerful antioxidant that helps with anti-aging, anti-inflammation, and UV protection. It boosts collagen production and skin regeneration — perfect for acne healing.

Rich sources: Citrus fruits, berries, cabbage, chili peppers, tomatoes, leafy greens, green tea.

4. Healthy fats

Carbs, fat, and protein are key to body function. Good fats regulate hormones, reduce inflammation, and stabilize the immune system — all vital for acne control.

Rich sources:

• Omega-3s: Mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna
• Omega-6s: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, soybean/corn oil
• Monounsaturated fats: Olives, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts

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Editor’s 10-Year Acne Battle – Monthly Deep Cleansing Works!

After battling acne for years, I know the despair it brings. Just visit a dermatology clinic and you'll see you’re not alone. Many relapse after antibiotics or isotretinoin. Giving up solves nothing—you have to keep going!

At first, I tried every low-cost remedy I could. But now, I can confidently say: Perfect Medical’s Acne Treatment works!

This treatment uses vacuum microdermabrasion to remove dead skin while infusing purifying essences. One channel delivers the serum, while the other gently suctions out impurities. It exfoliates 30–35mm of dead skin, clears clogged pores, and dissolves blackheads. Meanwhile, the serum penetrates deep, stimulates collagen, and reduces oil production to combat acne at the root.

For my severe acne, this treatment alone isn’t enough to “cure” it, but for milder cases, it could be just what you need. For me, it’s an excellent maintenance tool. A once-a-month deep clean keeps inflammation down and clears blackheads. Even potential breakouts get stopped in their tracks.

With my routine — low-dose isotretinoin + monthly treatments — I’ve transformed from severe acne-prone to neutral skin in just six months. Simple hydration is all I need now!

I hope my experience helps others battling acne. Start with the free trial—don’t jump straight into a full package!