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Nonprescription acne treatment: Which products work best? Products and services. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Show references AskMayoExpert. Mayo Clinic; Zaenglein AL, et al.

Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Kelly AP, et al. Acne vulgaris. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. McGraw Hill; Accessed May 12, Eichenfield DZ, et al. Management of acne vulgaris: A review.

American Academy of Dermatology Association. Accessed April 26, Stuart B, et al. Topical preparations for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris: Systematic review. British Journal of Dermatology.

FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns of rare but serious hypersensitivity reactions with certain over-the-counter topical acne products.

Food and Drug Administration. Alpha hydroxy acids. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Xu J, et al. Management of acne vulgaris: Summary of NICE guidance. Acne — 3 must-do steps to get rid of it. Accessed May 18, Sominidi Damodaran S expert opinion.

Mayo Clinic. June 1, Products and Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Assortment of Skin Care Products from Mayo Clinic Store Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition.

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Each pore of your skin opens to a follicle. The follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous oil gland. The oil gland releases sebum oil , which travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto your skin. Sebum helps keeps your skin lubricated and soft. That said, they do recognize a number of risk factors can contribute to or worsen acne, including:.

You have the highest risk of developing acne during puberty. During this time, your body undergoes many hormonal changes. These changes can trigger oil production, leading to an increased risk of acne.

Hormonal acne related to puberty usually improves when you reach adulthood, and your breakouts may even stop completely. According to a review , certain foods or diets may have an effect on acne:.

If you suspect you have acne, a good next step involves getting a diagnosis from a board-certified dermatologist. Learn how dermatologists can help identify and treat skin conditions.

A dermatologist can make a diagnosis by examining your skin. They can help identify the types of lesions and their severity to develop a treatment plan that works for you. You can use over-the-counter OTC medicated creams, cleansers, and spot treatments to help address pimples as they pop up.

If you continue to experience symptoms after using OTC acne treatments for several weeks, you may want to consider reaching out for professional treatment.

A dermatologist or other healthcare professional can prescribe medications that may help reduce your symptoms and prevent scarring. In some cases, they may suggest an oral antibiotic or hormonal birth control to help manage acne. For severe acne, a dermatologist may recommend treatment that combines one or more of the following:.

They may also suggest hormonal birth control or oral isotretinoin, also known by the brand name Accutane. Accutane is a vitamin-A medication used to treat certain cases of severe nodular acne.

Many acne treatments, including Accutane, can have severe consequences for a developing fetus. If you plan to become pregnant or believe you could be pregnant, ask the doctor or clinician who prescribed your medication if you can continue taking it.

Your care team can also offer more guidance on other options to treat acne during pregnancy. Your dermatologist may also recommend medical procedures to treat severe forms of acne and prevent scarring. These procedures work by removing damaged skin and reducing oil production.

They include:. Instead of putting toothpaste on your face, try these at-home tips to help clear up acne and help prevent future breakouts:. Find more acne home remedies here. It goes without saying that no one should judge or stigmatize you for having acne, but having acne can feel distressing and isolating, all the same.

Pretty much everyone will get a pimple at some point in life, and many people deal with different forms of acne well into adulthood.

The good news: Plenty of effective treatment options exist. With treatment, your acne may begin clearing up within a matter of weeks. Getting treatment for acne sooner rather than later can also help prevent scarring. Even with treatment, flare-ups can still happen.

Persistent acne may require additional or long-term treatment. Acne can be tough, but plenty of effective treatments can help ease breakouts and heal your skin. If you continue to experience painful or persistent breakouts, a dermatologist can offer support with creating a treatment plan that works for your skin and reduces scarring.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Knowing which type of acne you have is key to successfully clearing it from your skin. Here are the different types of pimples and how to treat them.

Acne surfaces during times of hormonal imbalance. Some seek natural treatments such oral vitamin and mineral supplements. Learn which natural remedies…. Learn more about how blackheads and whiteheads develop, treatment options, and five myths about acne. Many women experience acne during pregnancy.

Fortunately, pregnancy and postpartum acne is…. Nothing makes an already crummy situation worse quite like period acne. Learn how to deal with everything from painful chin cysts to vulvar acne. Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and pustules are just a few of the many types of blemishes that can appear on the skin.

Find out what causes…. Pimples are bumps that often form from bacteria buildup in your pores or clogged sweat glands. Blackheads are small bumps that appear on your skin due to clogged hair follicles. Read on to learn about their causes, possible treatments, and more.

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The goals of treatment are to help heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, and prevent scarring. Medications can help stop some of the causes of acne from developing, such as abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, high sebum levels, bacteria, and inflammation.

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to take by mouth or apply to the skin. Topical medicines come in many forms, including gels, lotions, creams, soaps, and pads.

In some people, topical medicines may cause side effects such as skin irritation, burning, or redness. Talk to your doctor about any side effects that you experience. Some people who have severe acne or acne scarring that does not respond to topical or oral medications may need additional treatments, such as:.

In addition to experiencing significant scarring, people of color can develop skin discoloration after acne heals. Your doctor can suggest a treatment approach that can fade existing dark spots.

Using sunscreen when outdoors is especially important to help treat and prevent dark spots. If you have acne, the following recommendations may help you in taking care of your skin. Acne can cause embarrassment or make you feel shy or anxious.

If you have any of these feelings, talk to your doctor. Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases. Current Funding Opportunities. NIAMS Labs and Core Facilities. For Principal Investigators. For Patients.

All NIAMS News. Director's Page. Bone Health. Basics In-Depth Read. Facebook Email Print. Facebook Email. Ask you about your symptoms, including how long you have had acne.

Ask what medications you are currently taking or recently stopped. Examine your skin to help determine the type of acne lesion. Order lab work to determine if another condition or medical disorder is causing the acne.

Treatment for Acne The goals of treatment are to help heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, and prevent scarring. Topical medications, which you apply to the skin, include: Over-the-counter products, such as benzoyl peroxide, which kills bacteria and may decrease the production of sebum.

Antibiotics, which are usually used with other topical medications. Retinoids, which come from vitamin A and can help treat lesions and reduce inflammation. They can also help prevent the formation of acne and help with scarring.

Salicylic acid, which helps break down blackheads and whiteheads and also helps reduce the shedding of cells lining the hair follicles. Sulfur, which helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. For some people, the doctor may prescribe oral medications, such as: Antibiotics, which help slow or stop the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics for moderate to severe acne, such as severe nodular acne also called cystic acne. Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid, which works through the blood stream to help treat acne and open up the pore.

This allows other medications, such as antibiotics, to enter the follicles and treat the acne. Similar to topical retinoids, taking the medication by mouth can also help prevent the formation of acne and help with scarring. This has prompted many people to try to cure acne naturally at home.

In fact, a study found that 77 percent of acne patients had tried alternative acne treatments. Many home remedies lack scientific backing, and further research on their effectiveness is needed. This article explores 14 popular home remedies for acne.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your skin follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells. Each pore is connected to a sebaceous gland, which produces an oily substance called sebum. Extra sebum can plug pores, causing increased growth of bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes , or P.

Your white blood cells attack P. acnes , leading to skin inflammation and acne. Some cases of acne are more severe than others, but common symptoms include whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Many factors may contribute to the development of acne , including:. Standard clinical treatments are the most effective for reducing acne.

You can also try home treatments, though more research on their effectiveness is needed. Below are 14 home remedies for acne. Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apple cider, or the unfiltered juice from pressed apples.

Like other vinegars, research has noted its ability to fight many types of bacteria and fungi. Apple cider vinegar contains organic acids, such as citric acid. Research from notes citric acid has been found to kill P. acnes in conjunction with zinc oxide. According to research from , the lactic acid in apple cider vinegar may also improve the appearance of acne scars.

Some dermatologists advise against using apple cider vinegar at all, as it may irritate the skin. If you choose to try it, use it in small amounts and dilute it with water. Applying apple cider vinegar to the skin may cause burns or irritation, so it should be used carefully.

Always do a patch test before you use it on your face. According to a meta-analysis , those who were treated with zinc had significant improvements in inflamed blemish count compared with those who were not. Taking too much zinc may cause adverse effects, including stomach pain and gut irritation.

This may be because zinc is not effectively absorbed through the skin. A study found that the combination of honey and cinnamon bark extract exerted antibacterial effects against P. Research from indicated that honey on its own can block the growth of or kill P.

A study with people with acne found that applying honey to the skin after using antibacterial soap was no more effective at treating acne than using the soap on its own.

While the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of honey and cinnamon may reduce acne, more research is needed.

Cinnamon may cause skin irritation. Always do a patch test before you apply it to your skin. A study found that applying tea tree oil to the skin may reduce acne.

A small study found that, compared with benzoyl peroxide, participants using a tea tree oil ointment for acne experienced less dry skin and irritation.

They also felt more satisfied with the treatment. According to a study , tea tree oil may be an effective substitute for topical and oral antibiotics that could cause bacterial resistance if used long term.

Green tea is very high in antioxidants, and drinking it can promote good health. It may also help reduce acne. According to research , this is likely because the polyphenols in green tea help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two main causes of acne.

In a small study with 80 women, participants took 1, mg of green tea extract daily for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, women who took the extract had less acne on their noses, chins, and around their mouths.

A study found that applying green tea extract to the skin significantly reduces sebum production and pimples in those with acne. You can also add the remaining tea leaves to honey and make a mask.

Witch hazel is extracted from the bark and leaves of the North American witch hazel shrub, Hamamelis virginiana. In one small study funded by a skin care company, 30 individuals with mild or moderate acne used a three-step facial treatment twice daily for 6 weeks.

Witch hazel was one of the ingredients in the second step of the treatment. Most participants experienced significant improvement in their acne by the end of the study.

Research from also suggested witch hazel may fight bacteria and reduce skin irritation and inflammation, which can contribute to acne. Aloe vera is a tropical plant whose leaves produce a clear gel. The gel is often added to lotions, creams, ointments, and soaps.

Aloe vera contains salicylic acid and sulfur, both of which are used extensively in the treatment of acne. Research from found that applying salicylic acid to the skin reduces acne.

A study indicated aloe vera gel, when combined with other substances like tretinoin cream or tea tree oil, may improve acne. While research shows promise, the anti-acne benefits of aloe vera itself require further scientific research.

Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that offer a multitude of health benefits. Fish oils contain two main types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA. A study showed that high levels of EPA and DHA can decrease inflammatory factors, which may reduce the risk of acne.

Exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells. It may improve acne by removing the skin cells that clog pores. Exfoliating may also make acne treatments for the skin more effective by allowing them to penetrate deeper, once the topmost layer of skin is removed.

In one small study , 38 patients with acne received eight microdermabrasion treatments at weekly intervals. The participants with acne scars showed some improvements following the treatments. A small study found that six weekly microdermabrasion treatments helped stimulate skin repair.

While these results indicate exfoliation may improve skin health and appearance, more research is needed on acne. There are a wide variety of exfoliation products available, but you can also make a scrub at home using sugar or salt. Note that physical exfoliation can be irritating and may damage the skin.

As such, some dermatologists recommend gentle chemical exfoliation with salicylic or glycolic-acid products. Eating high GI foods causes a spike in insulin, which likely increases sebum production. As a result, high GI foods may directly affect the development and severity of acne.

In a study , 66 people followed either a normal or low glycemic diet. After 2 weeks, the individuals consuming a low glycemic diet had lower levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 IGF-1 , a hormone involved in acne development.

Another study with 64 people found that those with moderate or severe acne ate diets with more carbohydrates and a higher glycemic load than those without acne. These small studies suggested a low glycemic diet may help those with acne-prone skin. Additional larger, longer studies are needed.

The relationship between dairy and acne is highly controversial. A study with people ages 10 to 24 found that drinking whole milk three or more days each week was linked to moderate or severe acne. On the other hand, another study involving over 20, adults found no association between milk consumption and acne.

Participants self-reported the data in these studies, so more research is needed to establish a true causal relationship. The link between stress and acne is not fully understood.

Touching or picking your skin more than necessary can increase acne by spreading bacteria. According to research , the hormones released during periods of stress may increase sebum production and inflammation, making acne worse.

A study noted that certain relaxation and stress reduction treatments may improve acne, but more research needs to be done. Still, exercise affects bodily functions in ways that may help improve acne.

A study noted that exercise also plays a role in hormone levels and regulation. Another study suggested exercise can decrease stress and anxiety, both of which can contribute to the development of acne.

The CDC recommends adults do two types of physical activity each week for a total of minutes. This can include walking, hiking, running, and lifting weights.

Remember: Always wash your face after exercising. Washing with water and a cleanser will remove sweat and bacteria to prevent breakouts. Use caution when applying any citrus juice, including lemon, to your skin.

It can cause photosensitivity that can lead to irritation and rash if exposed to sunlight. Here are some ideas:. People with moderate to severe acne should seek professional help to find relief. Prescription-strength acne treatments are available. Even if you have a mild case of acne, it may be helpful to visit a doctor regularly to see how your skin progresses with treatment.

Many people choose to try natural remedies. Give an acne treatment at least 4 weeks to work. Using a different product every few days can also irritate your skin, causing new breakouts. According to the American Academy of Dermatology , if a treatment works for you, you should notice some improvement in 4 to 6 weeks.