Skincare routine for acne
Pick your bumps and skin. Get a morning and night routine, and a 12-week plan to start benzoyl peroxide or adapalene.
- 1Your bumps
- 2Your 12 weeks
- 3Your plan
Your 12 weeksHow often each acne medicine is used
0medicinesSkin care routine for pimples
Tap your bumps, your skin and what you already use. Get a morning and night routine, plus a week-by-week calendar for starting benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or adapalene, built from their FDA labels.
Which bump needs what
Blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, pus bumps and deep lumps don’t respond to the same things or on the same timeline.
| Bump | What it is | What helps | Give it | See a dermatologist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlackheadsOpen comedones | A plugged pore with a wide opening. | Adapalene at night plus a benzoyl peroxide wash. Salicylic acid also helps unclog pores. Blackhead or filament?AAD 5Cleveland Clinic 15Mayo Clinic 14 | 6–8 weeks; up to 12 | Still there after 6–8 weeks |
| WhiteheadsClosed comedones, clogged pores | A small plugged pore covered with skin, not inflamed. | The same as blackheads: a retinoid such as adapalene, plus a benzoyl peroxide wash.AAD 5Cleveland Clinic 15 | 6–8 weeks; up to 12 | Still there after 6–8 weeks |
| Red bumpsPapules | Inflamed bumps with no head. | An acne wash with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, twice a day. Which pimple is it?AAD 5AAD 6 | 4–6 weeks to improve | You have a lot of them |
| Pus bumpsPustules | A bump with a white or yellow center. | A benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash. Don’t pop them: it can worsen acne.AAD 5 | 6–8 weeks | No results in 6–8 weeks |
| Deep lumpsNodules and cysts | Painful breakouts deep in the skin. | Store-bought products can’t clear them. Never drain one at home.AAD 8AAD 5 | — | Now: they often scar |
The over-the-counter acne medicines
What their US labels allow, how to start, and what to watch for.
| Medicine | Strength | How to start | At most | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BpBenzoyl peroxide | 2.5–10% (start at 2.5%) | Once a day; up to 2–3 times if needed | 3 times a day | Dryness, peeling; bleaches fabric. Not for very sensitive skin.FDA 1Mayo Clinic 14 |
| SaSalicylic acid | 0.5–2% | Once a day; up to 2–3 times if needed | 3 times a day | Dryness; use sun protection.FDA 1FDA 4 |
| AdAdapalene | 0.1% gel | Once a day, thin layer, whole area | Once a day | Irritation in the first weeks; acne may look worse first. Ask a doctor if pregnant.FDA label 2 |
How the plan is built
One medicine per routine
The FDA acne label warns that dryness and irritation are more likely when you use another acne medicine at the same time. Mayo Clinic’s way around it: one product in the morning, a different one at night. That is how this plan places them, and it also keeps apart every pair our ingredient mixer rates “space out” or “avoid”.
It can look worse first
Adapalene’s label says acne may appear to worsen in the early weeks, and that this is normal; Mayo Clinic says the same of nonprescription acne products in general. Redness, dryness and burning are also most likely then. Not sure if it’s a flare or a reaction? Purging or breakout?
When it flares with your period
Hormone swings around periods, pregnancy, menopause, or starting and stopping birth control can lead to breakouts. The routine treats the bumps you have. For stubborn hormonal acne in women, a dermatologist can prescribe birth control pills or spironolactone, which can cause birth defects, so it needs reliable birth control. If nothing clears your acne, see a dermatologist: sometimes it is a sign of another condition.
Acne isn’t a skin type
The oily-skin routine starts from your skin type and treats breakouts as one concern among shine, pores and dark spots. This page starts from the bumps themselves, adapts to dry, reactive or pregnant skin, and schedules the acne medicines week by week. If your skin is also oily, use both.
Check a pair, or a bump
One face scan. Your whole routine, sorted.
This page answered your question. MySkincare starts from your own skin, and the products you already use.
- 1Scan your face3 photos: front, left profile, right profile.
- 2See your skin scoreFree6 zones scored separately: forehead, eye area, T-zone, both cheeks, chin.
- 3Scan your productsIt reads each ingredient list and says: keep it, watch it or replace it.
- 4Follow your routineMorning and night, checked so your products work together. With reminders.
Questions people ask
What is the best skin care routine for pimples?
For blackheads, whiteheads and red pimples, the AAD and Mayo Clinic point to the same core: a gentle cleanser, a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash, adapalene 0.1% at night, an oil-free moisturizer and SPF 30+. Keep one acne medicine per routine, start them one at a time, and give the plan at least 6 to 8 weeks before you judge it.
What skin care routine works for blackheads?
To unclog pores, the AAD recommends a retinoid (adapalene is sold without a prescription) plus a benzoyl peroxide wash, and says to give it 6 to 8 weeks. Salicylic acid may also help unclog pores. Don’t scrub: scrubbing irritates acne-prone skin and can make acne worse.
How do I treat whiteheads and closed comedones?
They are clogged pores covered with skin. They get the same treatment as blackheads: a retinoid such as adapalene and a benzoyl peroxide wash. Cleveland Clinic also lists salicylic acid and azelaic acid, and says you may start to notice a difference in 8 to 12 weeks. Try not to pick or squeeze them.
Is there a routine for hormonal acne?
The same routine treats the bumps. Hormone swings around periods, pregnancy, menopause, or starting and stopping birth control can trigger breakouts, and for stubborn hormonal acne in women, a dermatologist can add a prescription: birth control pills or spironolactone.
Should I use adapalene every night?
Its label says once a day, never more, as a thin layer over the whole area. The AAD suggests starting a retinoid every other night and building up slowly, so this plan uses every other night for the first 2 weeks.
What is a good skin care routine for clear skin?
If you break out, clear skin comes from treating acne steadily: clearing can take 2 to 3 months or longer. Once acne is under control, the AAD says a retinoid can help keep skin clear, so the routine keeps going after week 12.
When should I see a dermatologist?
Right away for deep, painful lumps (nodules or cysts): store-bought products can’t clear them and they often scar. Also if acne leaves scars, affects how you feel, shows signs of infection, or hasn’t improved after 2 to 3 months of a steady routine.
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- How to treat different types of acne
Whiteheads and blackheads: a retinoid (adapalene, no prescription) and a benzoyl peroxide wash, 6–8 weeks; papules: benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash twice daily, a dermatologist if many; pustules: don’t pop, dermatologist if no results in 6–8 weeks; nodules and cysts: dermatologist, sooner means fewer scars.
- 9 things to try when acne won’t clear
Give a treatment at least 4 weeks; some improvement in 4–6 weeks; clearing in 2–3 months or longer; try 1 or 2 products; spread medicine on all acne-prone skin; don’t scrub or wash more than twice a day; see a dermatologist for cysts, nodules or acne that OTC products don’t clear.
- Acne, diagnosis and treatment
At least 6–8 weeks to see fewer breakouts; retinoids treat blackheads, whiteheads and some pimples and fade dark spots; benzoyl peroxide works best with another treatment; birth control pills and spironolactone (prescription) for stubborn hormonal acne in women; a retinoid can keep skin clear.
- What can clear severe acne?
Cysts and nodules can’t be cleared with store-bought treatment; scars often follow; don’t drain a cyst or nodule at home.
- Adult acne
Hormone swings around periods, pregnancy, menopause, and starting or stopping birth control can lead to breakouts; acne is sometimes a sign of another medical condition; if nothing clears it, see a dermatologist.
- Acne, tips for managing
Gentle, alcohol-free products; skip astringents, toners and exfoliants; wash up to twice a day and after sweating; broad-spectrum, water-resistant, non-comedogenic SPF 30+; don’t pick; weeks to months to see a difference.
- Moisturizer, why you may need it if you have acne
Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and adapalene dry and irritate skin; a daily moisturizer helps you tolerate them; oil-free, non-comedogenic; apply after washing with some water left on the skin.
- Retinoid or retinol?
Start every other night and build up slowly; at night only, sun protection by day; people with dryness are probably not good candidates; not during pregnancy; moisturizer helps.
- Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin
With dry skin, stop products with alcohol, fragrance and retinoids; see a dermatologist if dryness continues.
DermNetdermnetnz.org
- Azelaic acid
Used for mild to moderate acne and pigmentation; start once daily, then twice if tolerated; very sensitive skin may find it irritating; improvement after about 4 weeks.
- Nicotinamide
A 4% gel was as effective as 1% clindamycin gel for acne; it reduces facial oil; well tolerated, often by people who can’t tolerate retinoids.
- Sensitive skin
Test new products on a small area first; introduce one new product at a time; avoid harsh exfoliants and fragrance.
US Food and Drug Administrationfda.gov
- FDA Drug Safety Communication: rare but serious hypersensitivity reactions with certain OTC topical acne products
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid products; stop and get emergency help for throat tightness, trouble breathing, feeling faint, or swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue; stop for hives or itching; try a small amount on 1–2 small areas for 3 days first; different from local irritation.
- Beta hydroxy acids
Use sun protection with salicylic acid products; test on a small area first; stop and see a doctor for irritation or prolonged stinging.
Cleveland Clinicclevelandclinic.org
- Comedonal acne
Closed comedones (whiteheads) are covered with skin, open ones (blackheads) have wide openings; not inflamed; salicylic acid, retinoids, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide; a difference in 8–12 weeks; don’t pick.
- What is my skin type and why does it matter?
Sensitive skin: avoid dyes, fragrances and harsh ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulationsecfr.gov
- FDA OTC acne drug monograph, 21 CFR 333 subpart D (eCFR)
Benzoyl peroxide 2.5–10%, salicylic acid 0.5–2%; start with one application daily, then 2–3 times if needed; if dryness or peeling bothers you, once a day or every other day; dryness and irritation more likely with another topical acne medicine at the same time; benzoyl peroxide: not for very sensitive skin, use sunscreen, bleaches hair and dyed fabrics; optional 3-day small-area sensitivity test.
DailyMed, US National Library of Medicinedailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Drug Facts label (DailyMed): adapalene gel 0.1% (Differin)
Once daily, never more, thin layer over the whole affected area; acne may appear to worsen in the early weeks; irritation most likely in the first weeks and with more than one acne medicine; up to 3 months to see results, ask a doctor if no improvement; use sunscreen, don’t wax; ask a doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Mayo Clinicmayoclinic.org
- Nonprescription acne treatment, which products work best?
Benzoyl peroxide 2.5–10%, start at a water-based 2.5%; salicylic acid 0.5–2% may unclog pores; adapalene 0.1%; azelaic acid 10%; start with benzoyl peroxide, adapalene or both; one product in the morning and a different one at night; 2–3 months for results; acne may worsen first; see a doctor if no better after 2–3 months.
NHSnhs.uk
- Acne
Hormone changes (puberty, periods, pregnancy) can cause acne; wash twice a day, use non-comedogenic products, don’t squeeze; see a doctor if it isn’t improving, spots are deep, painful or scarring, there are signs of infection, or it affects your mental health.