Complete Acne Handbook

Anyone who’s ever suffered from acne knows that it doesn’t just affect his or her appearance; troubled skin can be a blow to self-esteem as well. Fortunately, you can take charge of skin woes by finding the right treatment for your age and skin type. Whether you’re battling occasional breakouts or looking for a way to treat more severe acne, these top 25 articles cover everything you need to know for clear, radiant skin, from head to toe. 

1. Tips for Treating Adult Acne. When acne strikes during adulthood, the old rules for treating breakouts may not apply. Adult skin is typically drier and more sensitive than teen skin, and adult acne can be more severe and persistent. Instead of overloading your skin with high-strength ingredients, try gentle products with lower concentrations.
Look for alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which treat acne by exfoliating dead skin cells, while also targeting wrinkles and discoloration. And don’t forget sunscreen! Many acne treatments increase sensitivity to sunlight, so wearing sunscreen daily not only protects you from skin cancer but also helps prevent premature aging. Find more vital tips in this article about treating adult acne, plus product recommendations for creating an effective skincare routine.

2. Acne Products: Understanding the Ingredients. Confused about which products are most effective for clearing up problem skin? Start with the basics. Before spending money on products, learn about active acne ingredients and how to determine which is right for you.
Benzoyl peroxide works well for oily skin types, while salicylic acid is best for people with dry or sensitive skin. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that targets both blemishes and wrinkles, making it ideal for adult acne. Once you’ve determined your skin type and the matching ingredient, you’ll be better equipped to find the right product to treat your acne. See this article for more on acne ingredients and tips for boosting their effectiveness.

3. Teen Acne: Causes and Treatments. Along with the typical stresses of adolescence, many teenagers face the dilemma of acne breakouts. Fortunately, you can minimize and prevent blemishes. Learn the causes of teen acne and how to combat bacteria to reduce breakouts. Then evaluate the options for treatment. Every teen can benefit from a consistent skincare routine, which includes cleanser, spot treatment, moisturizer and sunscreen.


4. 7 Steps to Combat Adult Acne. Looking for a step-by-step guide to treating adult acne? In this article, you’ll find basic information on what causes blemishes, a breakdown of acne-fighting ingredients and seven steps to clearer skin. It may seem like common sense, but we often overlook seemingly simple elements like proper cleansing and consistency in our skincare routines.
When skin doesn’t immediately respond to treatment, many people prematurely switch products, which can actually exacerbate acne. It can take several weeks (or even months) before you see results, so, unless irritation occurs, it’s best to wait out the “purging” process as your skin adjusts to a new product. Get more smart acne solutions and recommended products for your skin’s needs in this article.


5. Banishing Back Acne. Breakouts on the back, or “backne,” are all too common for both teens and adults. Backne can be unsightly and irritating, and also tougher to treat than facial acne. But effective options are available.
This article outlines possible treatments, from using an exfoliating body wash to targeting specific areas of the body with a purifying spray. Get tips on what irritates back blemishes, recommendations for products and when to see a doctor for this pesky condition.


6. A Guy’s Guide to Acne. While there’s a plethora of information about acne and skincare, the majority of acne-fighting advice is directed toward women. This article covers everything a guy needs to know to achieve clear, healthy skin.
Start by understanding the differences between male and female skin: Since a man’s skin is thicker than a woman’s, he often requires higher concentrations of acne ingredients. Next, learn to identify different types of acne, the factors that trigger an outbreak and the best ingredients for each skin type. Find out more about male acne and how to treat it with this guide.


7. 5 Reasons to Try Acne-Fighting Retinoids. You might’ve heard about retinoids’ efficacy as an anti-aging treatment. But did you know that this vitamin A derivative can help fight acne too?
Retinoids act as exfoliants, sloughing off pore-clogging dead skin cells to reveal clearer, newer and healthier skin. This multifunctional ingredient also works to reduce oil production, even gently treating severe acne. Learn more about the benefits of retinoids and how to use them as an acne and anti-aging treatment.


8. Acne Treatment for Dry and Sensitive Skin. Choosing the right products to treat acne can be especially challenging for people with dry, sensitive skin. Whether skin is dry due to age, weather conditions or genes, the last thing you want to do is suck out more moisture with overly-drying acne ingredients.
Sensitive skin requires some extra TLC as well; fragrances, dyes and harsh active ingredients can all lead to irritation. To clear up dry or sensitive skin, design a skincare routine specially suited to your skin type. Look for gentle cleansers and lightweight moisturizers for daily use. Plus, before investing in treatments, read up on the different kinds of acne ingredients to determine which is appropriate for your condition and skin type.

9. Improving Acne Scars and Discoloration. If you’ve suffered from acne, you know that the trouble doesn’t always end when the blemishes clear up. Oftentimes scars and discoloration remain long after an outbreak. Use this article for tips on identifying whether a mark is an acne scar or short-term discoloration (also known as hyperpigmentation).
If it’s the latter, find out how to accelerate the fading process with sunscreen, retinoids and other treatments. For permanent acne scars, learn about different types and options for professional treatments, such as chemical peels and dermabrasion. With the right treatment, you can eliminate or minimize both blemishes and scarring.


10. Treating Acne After Oral Contraceptives. Many women use oral contraceptives for their acne-fighting benefits, thanks to hormones that reduce oil-producing androgen levels. But once you stop using the pill, it’s common for acne to return.
But not to worry: Follow these five steps for a simple skincare routine that can banish blemishes without causing irritation. Learn how to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and spot-treat your way to clearer skin, without the use of oral contraceptives.


11. Clearing Plugged-Up Pores to Prevent Acne. Healthy skin begins with clear pores. When pores fill with oil, dirt and dead skin, they stretch and may turn into a whitehead or a blackhead. Although it’s impossible to shrink a pore that’s been enlarged, you can develop a skincare routine that clarifies pores, making them appear smaller.
Find out how to care for your pores with cleansers that contain alpha hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids. You may also consider extraction, a process performed by a dermatologist or licensed esthetician. Get more tips on clearing up pores, plus options for pore-minimizing makeup, in this article on preventing acne from the inside out.


12. A Beauty Routine to Avoid and Conceal Acne. Acne-prone skin can prove finicky when it comes to makeup. In fact, the cosmetics you use to cover up blemishes can actually contribute to breakouts, if the makeup builds up within skin follicles and blocks pores. This condition, called acne cosmetica, shows up as small bumps across the face or scalp.
To determine if your makeup is the cause of your acne, follow the three-step process described in this article. Pay special attention to the location of breakouts and pore-clogging ingredients that may appear in your skin products. Then learn how to conceal blemishes with makeup, without creating new ones.


13. How Vitamins Can Help Acne. Acne-fighting vitamins offer another alternative for clearing up skin. Vitamins A, C, E and zinc each have unique benefits for acne-prone skin and can be found in supplement, food and topical form.
Vitamin A regulates sebum production, leading to less oily skin and reduced breakouts; vitamin C is great for skin texture and clarity, helping to treat redness, irritation and inflammation; vitamin E can be used to treat scarring and fight harmful free radicals that lead to signs of aging; and zinc decreases inflammation and boosts the immune system. Read this article to find out the different ways to get your vitamins, whether internally through food and supplements or externally with topical treatments.


14. Bumpy Breakouts: Cystic Acne. Acne comes in many forms, one of the most severe being cystic acne. Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, postules and nodules are all symptoms of cystic acne. They can also result in painful lesions that may be difficult to treat.
This article addresses the factors that contribute to cystic acne, plus treatments and products to consider. Discover how to recognize the warning signs of cystic acne and prevent scarring with immediate treatment and a hands-off approach. Also, don’t hesitate to see a dermatologist for severe acne.


15. Hairstyles, Hair Products and Acne. Noticing some pimples along the hairline or forehead? The products that keep your hair in top shape may be sabotaging your skin. Hair gel, mousse, pomade, wax, hair spray and smoothing cream can all play a part in aggravating skin and causing acne to form.
Use this handy guide to learn how to prevent breakouts by making a few tweaks in your hair routine. You can banish pimples by avoiding certain pore-clogging ingredients in your hair products, such as coconut oil and silicone derivatives. You can also keep skin clear by washing your hands of any hair product residue and sleeping on a clean, fresh pillowcase.


16. How to Banish Blackheads. Those tiny black dots in your T-zone area are telltale signs of clogged, oily pores. Blackheads form when the skin produces excess sebum, which gets trapped in the pores. Combined with dead skin cells and dirt, sebum in the pore darkens and forms a blackhead at the pore opening.
In this article, you’ll learn about other causes of these persistent breakouts and how to battle them. Although blackheads can’t be eliminated permanently, you can treat them with some specialized skincare products, such as pore strips and glycolic peels.


17. Should You Pop a Pimple? It can happen at the most inopportune time: a pimple appears right before a big day, just begging to be popped. But before you satisfy the urge, consider the long-term consequences. Picking or popping a pimple can lead to further breakouts, or even permanent scarring, since dirt and bacteria are pushed deeper into the skin.
To help send a pimple on its way, use the suggestions in this article. You’ll find product recommendations for acne treatments and masks, and, if you must pop, the necessary steps to ensure that it’s done correctly.

18. Banishing Blemishes on the Chest and Arms. Body acne can result from excess oil, clogged pores or even long hair. When acne pops up on the chest and arms, it can be a challenge to treat and conceal it.
Find out how to banish body acne with a few effective strategies. This includes cleansing in the shower, choosing the right makeup and finding products specially formulated to treat body acne. And be sure to practice good skincare habits: Avoid restrictive clothing during workouts and shower as soon as possible after you’ve been sweating.


19. Essential Oils for Clearing up Acne. When it comes to acne, you’ve got various approaches. Essential oils also can help in clearing up skin, and can even be mixed at home to suit your skin type.
Learn about how essential oils work, from reducing inflammation to improving circulation, and decide which oils are right for you. This article also includes DIY recipes for balancing oily skin, clearing pores and treating blemishes. If creating your own concoction is out of the question, choose a product that includes acne-fighting essential oils.


20. Menopause and Your Skin: Acne and Rosacea. Women going through menopause may feel like they’re revisiting adolescence if their skin flares up. Since hormones fluctuate during menopause — as they do during puberty — estrogen levels decrease and oil production goes into overdrive. Excess oil can lead to acne, and so can dead skin cells that clog up pores.
But are you sure that acne is to blame? A skin condition called rosacea, which also appears during menopause, can mimic acne. Characterized by redness, bumps and broken blood vessels, rosacea is exacerbated by hot flashes. Get tips for treating both menopausal acne and rosacea.

21. Acupuncture for Acne: Worth Your While? Like vitamins and essential oils, acupuncture is another alternative treatment for acne. Acupuncture focuses on regulating the body’s hormones, which diminish oil to balance and clear the skin. Read this article to find out if acupuncture might be for you, with information on what you can expect from your first appointment and the average cost of treatment.


22. Acne During Pregnancy: Tips for Clear Skin. Feeling not-so-luminous during pregnancy? With hormone levels fluctuating, it’s common for pregnant women to experience a resurgence of acne. Don’t let your skin distract you from more important matters. Read this article for seven easy tips to clear up blemishes, both during and after pregnancy.


23. Pore Extractions for Clogged, Acne-Prone Skin. If you’ve ever gotten a facial, you’re familiar with the least soothing part of the experience — when the esthetician uses a special tool to extract oil and debris from blocked pores. This process, called extraction, goes deeper than cleansing or exfoliating. By clearing out oil and old skin cells, you also prevent acne and enlarged pores from forming. Here’s how professional extraction works and how to maintain clean pores at home.


24. Top 3 Myths About Acne. Think you know all there is to know about acne? Test your knowledge with three facts about acne that might surprise you. This article debunks common skincare assumptions like “You are what you eat” and offers product picks for acne-prone skin.
25. When Acne-Like Spots Strike the Scalp. Bothersome skin conditions aren’t limited to the face, chest and back. Acne can also show up on the scalp as a contagious condition called scalp folliculitis. When a hair follicle is damaged, it’s susceptible to invasion by bacteria, mites or fungus.
If you have small, itchy whiteheads along the hairline and by the forehead or ears, you may have a mild form of scalp folliculitis. Symptoms of severe cases include hardened, red bumps that are tender to the touch. Find out who’s prone to an outbreak and how to treat this uncomfortable condition.

Acne can be an embarrassing and troublesome condition for anyone, but don’t let breakouts discourage you. With our comprehensive acne handbook, you have everything you need to get on the road to clear skin. Whatever your age, gender or skin type, these 25 articles cover all the basics in acne-fighting skincare.