The best cystic acne treatment products are fortified with powerful clarifying exfoliants like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid to get deep into the pores to get beneath the surface where your pimples are forming and remove the acne-causing impurities that are responsible for your cystic breakouts.
Salicylic acid and sulfur can be fabulous for some kinds of acne, but not for cystic acne. Make sure you hydrate your skin with a good moisturizer so that your skin doesn't feel the need to overproduce its natural oils.
Because it releases and dissolves blackheads and minimizing the appearance of pores, it can also be an effective acne treatment, It works particularly well on cystic acne, which is caused by deep blockages of dead skin and sebum.
If you have acne, both ingredients can have a beneficial effect on your skin. But in general, salicylic acid is the better choice. Unlike glycolic acid, salicylic acid decreases sebum in the skin. This is important because sebum can clog pores, which increases your risk of an acne breakout.
If you have dry, dull skin, AHAs are a great way to exfoliate the top layer of skin without further drying it out. BHAs sink into skin to clean out excess sebum from pores and help to remedy blemishes, acne and an overproduction of oil.
Retinoids such as tretinoin also help your skin to regulate its natural oil (sebum) production, which can prevent future breakouts. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which clear up active acne pustules.
“For a pimple emergency, I recommend that you see your board-certified dermatologist for a cortisone injection,” Turner says. “This involves the injection of a drop of a potent anti-inflammatory to help shrink down the pimple overnight.” It's a drastic approach, but it the best and quickest way to guaranteed results.
Research from 2017 suggests hyaluronic acid doesn't just help lock in moisture. It can also help control sebum production, which makes it a potentially useful ingredient for acne prevention. People with acne may also have skin-barrier dysfunction.
If you have blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid alone should work well to clear out your pores. If your acne tends to be inflammatory, such as papules and pustules, opt for benzoyl peroxide to stop outbreaks at the source. For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it's less likely to cause irritation.
Azelaic acid has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which is why it is an excellent choice for treating hormonal or cystic acne, blackheads and the redness and swelling of rosacea. Over time, it can reduce flushing and even obvious blood vessels.
Zinc's anti-inflammatory properties help the body to reduce swelling and redness in acne patients. Studies show that patients who were treated with zinc noticed a decrease in active breakouts compared to those who didn't. Since zinc also helps wound healing, it can help to reduce any residual acne scarring.
It's a gel that contains adapalene, a medication that decreases inflammation, prevents new acne from forming, treats blackheads, and helps even out discoloration, he explains. Zeichner says you can use a pea-size amount and start applying it every other night as your skin gets adjusted to it.
Warm compresses and acne stickers can help to bring a pimple to a head so that the sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria can exit to the skin's surface. Using ice can relieve inflammation. If blind pimples occur frequently or are particularly inflamed and painful, a person should seek advice from a dermatologist.
“Vitamin A derivatives help to clear acne, as they help to regulate skin cell turnover,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Unlike salicylic acid, which exfoliates dead skin cells and dissolves clogs, and benzoyl peroxide, which kills acne-causing bacteria, retinoids work from the inside out.
Exfoliation is effective by helping to get rid of dead skin cells and impurities that perpetuate the appearance of acne. However, it can aggravate chronic or cystic acne if not done gently and correctly. It's important to identify the causes of acne and exfoliate based on the current condition of your skin.
There are at-home steps you can take to reduce the swelling and redness of cystic acne. Exfoliating is the first step, followed by ice to tackle the swelling. Use benzoyl peroxide to kill the bacteria causing the inflammation.
Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins. Treats acne. Niacinamide may be helpful for severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules. Over time, you may see fewer lesions and improved skin texture.
“While hyaluronic acid helps in hydrating your skin, glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells,” he explains. It's one of the safest alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) you'll find in skincare products—meaning, unlike hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid actually is an acid.
Can glycolic acid be mixed with salicylic acid? You can certainly use glycolic acid and salicylic acid together, but we would suggest avoiding mixing them together. This is because combining such potent ingredients will cause a severe reaction to the skin, as well as potentially damaging the skin barrier.