Oral medications Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin). A macrolide might be an option for people who can't take tetracyclines, including pregnant women and children under 8 years old.
If you have a pimple, using benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or a pimple patch can help it go away faster.
Oral Isotretinoin
For more severe forms of acne, your doctor may prescribe isotretinoin, a retinoid that is taken by mouth. Retinoids clear clogged pores by reducing the amount of oil that skin glands produce and killing the bacteria that reside there.
Begin with benzoyl peroxide and adapalene.
If you're not sure which acne product to buy, start with one that contains benzoyl peroxide, adapalene or both. Either one is effective and usually well tolerated.
Use An Over-the-Counter Acne Spot Treatment
Salicylic acid, mentioned above, is one of these. Another important ingredient to look for is benzoyl peroxide. In addition to reducing oil and removing dead skin cells, benzoyl peroxide also helps kill the bacteria that cause the pimples.
Drugs that contain retinoic acids or tretinoin are often useful for moderate acne. These come as creams, gels and lotions. Examples include tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage, others).
Soak a clean washcloth in hot water, then apply the warm, damp washcloth to your pimple for 10-15 minutes, three times daily. This will help the deep pimple move closer to your skin's surface so it can heal. Make sure to use a clean washcloth every time, and resist popping the pimple. Treat your pimple.
Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a treatment for severe acne that comes in capsules. It has a number of beneficial effects: it helps normalise sebum and reduce how much is produced.
Additionally, dermatologists often prescribe topical retinoids, such as tretinoin or adapalene, to stimulate skin cell turnover, unclog pores, and mitigate acne formation. Oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline or minocycline, may also be recommended for inflammatory acne to target bacterial overgrowth and inflammation.
Increased water intake often leads to improved skin clarity and reduced acne severity. Many people report fewer breakouts and a more even skin tone after consistently increasing their water consumption. Hydrated skin may appear plumper and healthier, making existing acne less noticeable.
How acne develops. Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Putting toothpaste on a pimple won't help it go away faster. Toothpaste is an acne remedy that has no evidence to support it. It may even cause problems such as skin irritation and over drying.
Research shows B6 supplementation regulated hormones and reduced premenstrual acne over two months. Additionally, low levels of B-vitamins generally are linked to skin issues like acne, dermatitis, rashes and sensitivity. Optimal intake can prevent deficiency-associated skin disorders.
Prednisone is an FDA-approved corticosteroid medication used to manage various health conditions. It works by reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain. Prednisone is typically reserved for severe cases and is often used in combination with other acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin.
Experts say it is not usually possible to get rid of a pimple overnight. However, some topical products, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and hydrocortisone 1% cream, can help prevent pimples from worsening while promoting healing.