How to Get Rid of Acne : The Complete Guide 2024

By Vanessa Richards

January 10, 2024   •   Fact checked by Dumb Little Man

how to get rid of acne

We are all extremely conscious about our looks, and that has become increasingly important in the age of social media. When it comes to acne prone skin, the first thing you need to know is that it is not a serious health threat.

Getting rid of acne is important from an emotional and social perspective. That’s why people invest so much in products that are designed to help you get rid of acne scars.

You are not alone in your quest against acne. Trusted research indicates that almost 85% of young adults have severe acne at some point in their life.

The good news for you is that acne is one hundred percent treatable. Read this article to learn about acne treatment products and natural remedies for treating both mild and moderate acne.

What is Acne?

how to get rid of acne
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Acne vulgaris, or simply acne, appears on your skin when your hair follicles get blocked with excess oil, dead skin cells, and even bacteria. The most common targets of Acne vulgaris are the face, chest, and back.

All people experience severe acne at some point in their lifetime, especially during their teenage. Teenagers are particularly more vulnerable to acne scars because the sebaceous glands in their young bodies produce more oil.

When the follicles of your hair get blocked with oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria, it leads to the appearance of pimples on your body. The most common examples of such pimples include nodules, blackheads, and whiteheads. Acne scars are also very common, which result from swollen pores and broken follicle walls.

What are the Symptoms of Acne?

Based on the severity and other factors, there is both moderate and severe acne. Acne vulgaris usually occurs in either of the following forms. If you notice any of these on your body, it’s a clear symptom that you have acne.

Blackheads or Whiteheads

These are also known as comedo or comedones. They are occluded or clogged pores, usually due to excess oil. The difference between the two is that the pore of blackheads are open while those of whiteheads are closed.

Papules

These are among the less noticeable types of acne because they do not have tips filled with pus. They are inflammatory and can be tender, red, irritating, and sometimes very painful.

how to get rid of acne
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Pimples (or Pustules)

These are pimples or bumps that contain pus, as the name Pustule clearly indicates.

Cysts

Although not very common, cysts are among the most painful forms of acne. They are usually pus-filled lumps.

Nodules

Nodules are painful lumps that usually appear under the skin. They are larger in size and solid.

What Are the Causes of Acne?

What causes acne may differ from person to person and situation to situation; however, the basic causes of acne can be traced back to four factors:

  • Excess sebum production (or excess oil)
  • Clogged hair follicles
  • Bacteria
  • Inflammation

The parts of your body that have more sebaceous glands are more vulnerable to acne. These include the face, chest, forehead, back, and shoulders.

In many cases, the follicle wall swells and produces a whitehead. In the case of blackheads, the plugged pores are open, which is why they are darker in color. If you look closely at a blackhead, it may seem as if there is dirt trapped in it. However, there is usually no dirt but only oil and bacteria. When exposed to air, the oil and bacteria give the scars acne their characteristic black or brown color.

The reason why these pimples look red is that they get inflamed when infected with bacteria. That’s what gives them their characteristic red color. When the inflammation and blockage get deeper into the follicles, cystic lesions, i.e., pus-filled lumps, start to appear in that area.

It is often considered that sweat glands also cause acne; however, that’s not the case. They may be involved to some extent, but they don’t play a direct causal role in the development of acne.

What are Acne Scars?

When acne blemishes become inflamed, they lead to scars. The smaller the acne is, the less severe and visible the scars created by them. When the acne is severe, it often affects the area around it as well, thereby deepening the scars. This may also lead to more acne. Your body often naturally repairs these scars through collagen fibers.

Forms of Acne Scars

how to get rid of acne
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Acne scars usually occur in either of the following two forms:

Indented Scars

These are scars that develop when there is a loss of tissue in the affected area of the skin.

Raised Scars

These scars develop when your body secretes too much collagen in response to healing the wounds created by acne.

Things that Trigger and Worsen Acne

There are many things and factors that may not even trigger acne but also lead to more acne. Here are four such things:

how to get rid of acne
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Hormonal Changes

When it comes to acne, androgens play a very vital role in their development. Since teenagers have higher amounts of androgens in their bodies, teenage boys and girls develop more acne. The same is true about women in their midlife.

Medications

Drugs that contain higher levels of lithium, corticosteroids, and testosterone may trigger acne.

Diet

Carbohydrate-rich food items, such as bread can also trigger acne.

Family History

Acne has an underlying genetic basis as well, to some extent. If both your parents had acne, the likelihood that you will get acne may be significantly high.

Oily Substances

Excessive use of substances, such as lotions and creams that contain higher amounts of oils, may also lead to the development of acne.

How To Get Rid of Acne? 

Having acne on their bodies often makes people feel shame and disgust. It significantly affects their social lives and pains them emotionally. If you are one of such people, we have got some good news for you. The good news is that with the right acne treatments, you can not only get rid of the physical pain associated with acne but also the emotional pain.

Here, we will teach you how to treat acne in incredibly simple and reliable ways. We will discuss the treatment of acne in two ways:

First, we will discuss the best medications for treating acne.

Second, we will discuss some natural remedies for the treatment of acne.

8 Best Anti-Acne Medications

You may have already used many anti-acne medications and found them unhelpful. You may be hopeless that your acne will never get cured. However, below we will discuss medications that have been scientifically proven helpful and are recommended by dermatologists all across the world.

ProductKey Feature

Tazorac

Top Consumer's Choice

Altreno

Secret Weapon for Fighting Acne

Differin Gel

The Gel that Makes A Difference

Hers Prescription Acne Cream

#1 Prescribed

Neutrogena Oil-free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser

The Cleanser you can Trust

Yes to Tomatoes Charcoal Facial Cleanser

The All-in-One Facial Cleanser

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension

Best Among the Ordinary

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting

The Proven Effective

1.Top Consumer’s Choice: Tazorac

When it comes to anti-acne medications, the topical medication Tazorac is by far the best option available today. Experts recommend it as the safest and most helpful option for treating psoriasis and acne. Tazorac has unique retinoid properties that heal the skin. It contains benzoyl peroxide, butylated hydroxytoluene, beta hydroxy acid, alpha hydroxy acids, and many other excellent ingredients.

Six Reasons Why Tazorac is the Best

  1. Tazorac is the best treatment for acne because it significantly reduces photodamage (damage caused by exposure to the sun).
  2. This topical tazarotene will help you get rid of acne without any significant side effects.
  3. Treats both mild and severe acne.
  4. Available both as gel and cream.
  5. Best for psoriasis and unclogged pores as well.
  6. It is best for both whiteheads and blackheads

How to Use Tazorac?

Tazorac is available both as gel and cream. The cream is preferable if you have adry skin because it will help you moisturize your skin as well. In case your skin is oily, the gel form of Tazorac must be used. When applied to the affected skin, it relieves not only both mild and moderate acne but also acne-related scarring. Whether you have moderate or severe acne, Tazorac is the best treatment option.

Shop at Tazorac Official Store.

2. Secret Weapon for Fighting Acne: Altreno

how to get rid of acne

Altreno is the best anti-acne product, especially for the dry skin of adults. It is free from alcohol, silicones, and fragrances. It’s also extremely good for all sensitive skin for which other retinoids do not work well. Studies show that Altreno significantly reduces acne by half in just three months. The benzoyl peroxide in this product kills acne causing bacteria and germs and unclogs blocked pores.

Benzoyl peroxide is excellent if you want to prevent pimples because it can kill bacteria and germs that cause acne. It’s also excellent because it helps prevent and clean up the specks of dirt that clog pores.

Shop at Amazon Official Store

3. The Gel that Makes A Difference: Differin Gel

how to get rid of acne

Differin gel is the only retinoid acne treatment that is approved by the FDA and can be used without a prescription. Studies show that Differin gel significantly reduces acne by 87% in just three months.

Shop at Amazon Official Store

4. #1 Prescribed: Hers Prescription Acne Cream

how to get rid of acne

If you are in search of an anti-acne product that is tailored to your particular needs, Hers Prescription Acne Cream is the option to choose. All you need is to fill out a form and have your desired product shipped to your location within no time. Tretinoin, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid are some of the ingredients that you may want to include in your product.

Shop at Amazon Official Store

5. The Cleanser you can Trust: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser

how to get rid of acne

If you are looking for an oil-free acne cleanser, Neutrogena is for you. This cleanser is composed of Salicylic Acid that diminishes acne and prevents breakouts. It’s time for you to replace your ordinary face cleansers with this amazing product. It also prevents irritation and over-drying.

Shop at Amazon Official Store

6.The All-in-One Facial Cleanser: Yes To Tomatoes Charcoal Facial Cleanser

how to get rid of acne

The Yes To Tomatoes cleanser is best for people who are looking for an anti-acne cleanser that they can keep in the shower for usage. It is composed of charcoal, tomato extract, and salicylic acid. The product works especially best for acne on the chest, shoulder, and back. This will help you achieve cleaner skin by removing excess sebum and dirt from it.

Shop at Amazon Official Store

7. Best Among the Ordinary: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

how to get rid of acne

This acne cream consists of Azelaic acid derived from wheat and barley. It is very helpful in treating acne-related inflammation, congestion, redness, and burning. This product also works exceptionally well if you are interested in improving your skin texture.

Shop at Amazon Official Store

8. The Proven Effective: Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

how to get rid of acne

Paula’s Choice contains catechin, which is an ingredient present in green tea that protects your skin from free radicals. It works equally well for blackheads and whiteheads. The Salicylic acid present in these exfoliants readily unclogs pores.

Shop at Amazon Official Store

>> Related Article : 11 Best Acne Treatment • Top Acne Products Review of 2024

Basic Ingredients of Anti-Acne Products

Acne may seem like a simple problem to solve, but it’s not. Individuals differ in the ways in which acne affects them.  That’s why you should be very careful when choosing your medication. However, some of the ingredients that are regarded as the best for all sorts of acne and all sorts of individuals are:

Salicylic Acid

This is the main ingredient that removes blockages and helps keep pores clear.

Benzoyl Peroxide

In addition to clearing pores, it also kills bacteria.

Adapalene

This is the main ingredient that helps get rid of the irritation caused by acne.

Sulfur

Sulfur is excellent if the acne has inflamed. It is also very good for adult acne and blemishes.

Some Other Remedies for Acne Prone Skin

If you do not want to go for conventional acne treatments, or you have mild acne that you want to treat with natural remedies, you can rely on some proven remedies that are very helpful. Here are some things that you can do to not only treat your acne but also prevent them in the future.

Wash Your Face Daily

As you have already learned, the main culprit behind acne is excessive sebum. If you wash your face daily, it will help you get rid of excessive oil, dead skin cells, and dirt. You can also rely on safe and beneficial face wipes. It would be great if you used a benzoyl peroxide face wash.

Keep Your Face Towel Clean

Bacteria, although they do not cause acne, can make acne worse. That’s why you must keep your face towel clean and change it regularly.

Moisturize

If you think moisturizing can worsen your acne, you are wrong. Experts believe that good moisturizers can hydrate your skin and thereby keep your sebum gland under control.

Keep Hydrated

If you drink enough water, you can not only keep your skin and body properly hydrated but also save yourself from acne. Apart from that, water is also very good and important for your overall health. Too little water in your body can worsen acne.

Conclusion

Acne may seem like a simple problem, but you have to be very careful while selecting an anti-acne product. The reason why most people think anti-acne products don’t work is that they do not choose them correctly.

You should always be aware of the fact that some acne products may not suit you. The reason behind that is that all products work in different ways. However, the general criteria for a good anti-acne product are:

  • It has been tested and scientifically proven helpful
  • It has the right amount of the necessary ingredients
  • Has a reasonable price

If there is one single magical treatment for acne and pimples that you would like us to recommend, it’s Tazorac.

Why Tazorac?

Well, Tazorac is the best treatment because of its amazing retinoid properties. It is the best treatment not merely for acne but also for the scarring associated with it. On top of that, it’s available for just $75 to $105, works for all types of acne and all types of skin, and with very limited side effects. The Tazorac gel has fantastic effects on dry skin, while its cream form is excellent for oily skin. With Tazorac, you can not only treat your acne but also save your skin cells from overgrowth.

Click here to get Tazorac at a Discounted Price

How to Get Rid of Acne FAQs

Is acne caused by bacteria?

No, bacteria do not cause acne. However, they do play a very important role in their development and may also worsen them.

Do all people with acne develop scars?

No, some people with acne may develop scarring, while others may not.

Is the scarring caused by acne permanent?

No, all scars are not permanent. Most scars can be easily treated if you pursue proper treatments. Also, in the majority of cases, the scarring associated with acne may go away on its own with time.

Vanessa Richards

Vanessa is a mom of 3 lovely children and a software geek. Outside of her career as a health and wellness instructor. She enjoys writing and researching on topics such as finance, software, health and culinary.

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