What can I do about my acne at home?
Here are some home and over-the-counter recommendations for acne:
Don't scrub or pick at your face or body acne. Use a gentle soap and wash with warm (not hot) water once or twice a day. A gentle soap is one that does not have smells or dyes. These soaps have chemicals that can actually irritate your skin more.
If you use makeup, wash it off every evening before bed. A skin toner may also help to get rid of makeup but is not tolerated by everyone.
Salicylic acid skin washes might work for mild acne. You can try this if a daily gentle soap isn't doing the trick. Some people are more sensitive to salicylic acid (it's an acid!) and it can dry out the skin or cause some mild irritation. Find a routine that is right for you -- this may be every day or it may be twice a week.
Benzoyl peroxide is the next step up. It comes in many forms including creams and washes. This is a medication that can cause more significant irritation of your skin, so try to use low-dose forms (2.5%). If you have painful and red acne on your body, it might be worth trying the higher doses (up to 10%). Keep in mind that benzoyl peroxide stains things. Try using old washcloths and towels if you use benzoyl peroxide washes and use old pillow cases if you apply creams at night. You may find that it is too irritating to use every day. This is one of those medications that you can use every other day or a couple of times a week and still see benefits.
If you have tried these options for a few weeks and you do not notice improvement, please go talk to your doctor. There are other things you can do. They just take a little more effort on your part. They include antibiotics (to be put on your skin or in a pill), oral contraceptives (for ladies) and various forms of retinoids.
Remember, acne happens to the best of us. This will get better!
