To get rid of pimples, blackheads and acne, which bring us enormous discomfort, you need to choose the right care product. It must meet the needs of the skin and eliminate a specific problem. However, there are no universal remedies for fighting acne; everyone must find their own remedy - these can be ointments, creams, gels and masks. Let's look at the best.
The main causes of acne
In order for acne treatment to bring maximum results, you need to eliminate the cause that provokes its formation. Skin rashes are caused by:
- emotional shocks, stress, nervous strain, worries;
- frequent contact with hands or phones that have germs on the surface;
- hormonal imbalance, thyroid diseases;
- heredity;
- use of corticosteroids, birth control pills;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular the intestines;
- unhealthy diet - content in the diet of fast food, fatty and fried foods, as well as sweets and baked goods;
- allergic reaction;
- bad habits - nicotine and alcohol provoke metabolic disorders;
- wrong choice of cosmetics, use of too oily cosmetics.
A doctor will help determine the true cause of the rash. To do this, you can contact a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, allergist, infectious disease specialist, dermatologist, hematologist. A nutritionist and cosmetologist will also help. By identifying the cause of the rash and eliminating it, you can expect that anti-acne products will be effective.
Popular acne remedies
Anti-acne cosmetics contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial components that help get rid of acne. Our review will help you choose the right skin care cosmetics for your face and body.
The rating of remedies for treating acne and pimples is topped by ointments. These are mainly pharmaceutical products. Let's look at the most effective ones:
- “Zinerit” is an ointment containing the antibiotic erythromycin, which destroys propionibacteria and streptococcus, as well as zinc, which dries the skin and reduces the intensity of secretion of the sebaceous glands. The product cleanses the surface of the skin, eliminates white pimples and blackheads, even if the area of the rash is very large. People with dry and sensitive skin should use this ointment carefully. The course of treatment is 10-12 weeks.
→ Reviews of the cream “Zinerit” 1, 2 - Salicylic ointment is a medicine containing salicylic acid. Its concentration can reach 2%, 5%, or 10% and 60%. It has a pronounced antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Cleanser for purulent acne. It also helps brighten post-acne skin. The maximum duration of continuous use is up to 3 weeks.
→ Reviews of Salicylic ointment 1 - "Levomekol" is a medicine intended for the treatment of ulcers, rashes, and promotes rapid healing of the skin. Suitable for teenagers who often develop painful pimples on the forehead and other areas of the face. The active components of the ointment are methyluracil and chloramphenicol. They have a powerful anti-inflammatory and also antimicrobial effect. You need to use the product for 2-4 weeks.
- Erythromycin ointment - used in combination with other medications. The active ingredient erythromycin ED effectively fights purulent acne. The ointment should be used continuously for a maximum of a month.
- Sulfur ointment – contains precipitated sulfur, which has a drying and antimicrobial effect. As a result of its use, it is possible to quickly get rid of acne and rashes, since the product reduces the intensity of subcutaneous fat production. The product is effective against subcutaneous acne. The sulfides contained in the ointment promote wound healing, which helps even out the skin. You need to apply the product for 2-3 weeks.
- Ichthyol ointment is a powerful acne remedy containing ichthyol. Its use provides comprehensive treatment, since the ointment quickly relieves inflammatory processes and minimizes the pain that occurs when internal acne appears. This is a spot treatment that is gently applied to the surface of the pimple to speed up its maturation. Use once a day until the problem is resolved.
- Synthomycin ointment is a cleanser that quickly relieves inflammation. Effective against ulcers, acne, rashes, small spots. Contains an antibiotic that destroys germs that cause acne. The duration of treatment with this ointment is a maximum of 5 days. This is an inexpensive remedy.
All anti-acne ointments are applied 1-2 times a day to cleansed skin. They should not be used more often, because pharmaceutical products contain active ingredients. When using them, side effects such as an allergic reaction, redness, swelling are possible, but they occur rarely. Acne ointments fall into the category of inexpensive products.
Acne gels have a light texture and are quickly absorbed. There are cosmetics and medications sold in pharmacies. Let's look at the most effective acne gels:
- "Effezel" is an effective gel that helps cure acne and pimples even at the most advanced stage. Contains baziron and differin, which quickly remove rashes, acne, promote healing and smoothing of the skin. It has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, cleanses the skin surface well.
- "Dalacin" is a pharmaceutical anti-acne gel that contains the strong antibiotic clindamycin. This is a universal drug that copes with acne, pimples, blackheads, redness and other aesthetic defects. The effect of use appears after 2-4 weeks. The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor, but it should not exceed 5 weeks, since the body gets used to the action of this drug.
- "Metrogil" is a gel for red acne and rashes that has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. The active ingredient is metronidazole. This gel, in combination with other drugs, can be used to treat skin defects, as well as prevent their occurrence. The product is used for 3-6 weeks.
→ Reviews about “Metrogil” 1 - “Oxygel” is a gel that is suitable for the treatment of acne and acne of mild or moderate severity. The active ingredient in this drug is benzoyl peroxide. The product should be used carefully by those with sensitive skin, because when the gel gets on its surface it can cause burning and irritation. The duration of the course of use is a maximum of 2 weeks.
- "Skinoren Gel" - its active ingredient azelaic acid provides a bactericidal and drying effect. This remedy normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, helps get rid of acne, pimples, blackheads. The gel effectively copes with even the most advanced stage of rashes, but you can use it for a maximum of 14 days, since it dries out the skin too much.
→ Reviews of “Skinoren Gel” 1, 2, 3
The gel is applied to cleansed skin several times a day.
Creams are very popular in the fight against acne. Consider the list of the most effective:
- “Differin” is a good cream for the face and body, containing adapalene, which fights acne and comedones. It is used for the treatment and prevention of acne and pore contamination.
- "Baziron" is the best acne remedy for dry skin. It provides not only an antibacterial effect, but also regulates the process of sebum secretion and well moisturizes the epidermis. The cream is more effective against acne and rashes. Duration of use is 3-3.5 months.
→ Reviews about “Baziron” 1, 2 - “Clean Skin” from Garnier is a cosmetic product for daily use that fights blackheads and red spots. Suitable for those with oily skin as it dries it out greatly. Dry skin may begin to peel after using this product for several days.
→ Reviews “Clean skin” from Garnier 1 - "Boro Plus" - consists of plant components: sandalwood, turmeric, aloe and other components. Has a good antibacterial and antiseptic effect. Used for the appearance of ulcers and rashes, suitable for teenagers and adults. The cream must be applied three times a day until the aesthetic defect disappears.
There are many acne creams on the market designed for daily skin care. They can be applied continuously for 1.5-2 months, after which you should take a break and start using another cosmetic product. This will help avoid addiction. That is why it is advisable to look for several options at once so that you can alternate them - a review of acne creams for different skin types can be found here.
- Ducray Keraknil mask has a triple effect: absorbs excess sebum, cleanses pores and prevents them from getting dirty. Consists of clay, polyhydroxy acid, microparticles of wax. The mask is applied twice a week for 5 minutes. Its regular use eliminates acne and ulcers.
- Payot cleansing paste is intended for the treatment of subcutaneous acne. Contains lanolin. The product is applied to cleansed skin before bed. You need to attach a patch on top, and in the morning remove it and wash. 3-5 applications are enough for the subcutaneous pimple to disappear. The product may cause peeling of the skin.
→ Reviews of Payot 1 Cleansing Paste - StopProblem healing and concealing corrector is an antibacterial agent containing salicylic acid, which dries out pimples. Flesh-colored concealer is applied over the pimple to disguise the breakout. At the same time, the active components of the drug promote the resorption of the abscess and cleansing of the pores. After 2-4 days of regular application, the pimple disappears.
If you list the most effective remedies for acne, the top 10 will definitely include Differin, salicylic ointment, Skinoren Gel, Baziron, Keraknil Ducray, ichthyol ointment, Zinerit, Boro Plus, StopProblem, "Oxygel".
How to choose the right product for you
To choose a good external remedy for cleansing skin from rashes, you need to consider a number of parameters. The main ones:
- Why do acne appear? If their formation is caused by excessive expansion of pores, you need products that narrow them. When the reason is the presence of certain bacteria on the skin, antibacterial creams and ointments will help.
- Skin type – it is important that the cosmetic product matches your skin type. Drying products are suitable for oily skin, but for dry skin they will be too aggressive. The use of skin care cosmetics that are not suitable for a specific skin type can aggravate aesthetic problems. You should especially carefully select products for sensitive skin types. They must certainly have a soft effect.
- If you have allergies, it is better to give preference to hypoallergenic products.
- Good creams do not contain petroleum products, as well as synthetic additives and artificial flavors. Their presence can further irritate the skin, causing new rashes to appear.
It is very important that anti-acne products do not clog pores, otherwise the skin will receive insufficient oxygen, and this worsens its condition, appearance, and contributes to the spread of rashes.
This effective remedy helps against acne because it acts comprehensively. It provides good cleansing, relieves inflammation, has an antibacterial and drying effect. The drugs also reduce sebum production and tighten pores, resulting in the removal of acne. The skin becomes healthy and well-groomed. The main thing is to choose a product that suits your skin type and switch to a balanced diet.
Using topical acne treatments provides only 50-60% of the results. Otherwise, the effectiveness of treatment is determined by the state of health and lifestyle.
Acne, needless to say, brings great discomfort to the life of almost every teenager, and many adults suffer from this scourge no less. It often seems that it is impossible to get rid of it, but you should not give up - you just need to know how to defeat acne. There are many ways and means by which this struggle will be effective; it remains to understand what exactly will lead to victory in a particular case.
More efficient and better
First you need to figure out what a pimple is and why it appears. In the vast majority of cases, blockage of the sebaceous gland is accompanied by infection, resulting in an inflammatory process that leads to the appearance of spotty redness. Oily skin types are more susceptible to such phenomena; acne, comedones and pimples appear more easily on them. Curing them is not easy, the process is quite long, but nothing is impossible.
Medicines and preparations for this purpose are divided into groups corresponding to the nature of their effect on the condition of the skin; it is this condition that is the main criterion for determining the necessary remedy. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to purchase rather expensive drugs from a pharmacy chain; high-quality medicine can be easily prepared at home.
It is worth paying attention to each of the groups of drugs that can cope with acne.
Acne spot treatment: how it works
If the acne is small, up to seven, good results can be achieved with a spot treatment for acne. They target a specific pimple without affecting the surrounding normal tissue. Popular - and recommended - are gel products such as "Dalacin" and "Baziron", and "Zinerit" is also effective.
Ready-made spot treatments for acne help because they are based on antibiotics, zinc or benzoyl peroxide, substances that are indispensable in antibacterial terms. Vaseline-based ointments are good - zinc, salicylic and sulfur. They are also used only locally, since Vaseline itself causes blockage of skin pores, but certain products in this group are so effective that they even treat trophic ulcers.
A folk spot remedy for acne, reviews of alcohol-based tinctures of birch tar, propolis and calendula, and tea tree oil indicate their effectiveness.
While washing
Skin prone to acne should be washed with special products. Moreover, in the case of oily skin, it is necessary to wash your face before applying cosmetics, and after removing makeup, it is strictly necessary. And be sure to keep in mind that the effect of any such spot cream for acne is local, which means that in the presence of metabolic disorders, hormonal ailments and some other diseases, which result in disruption of the epidermis and restoration of its cells, complex treatment involving narrow specialist.
Cleansers contain antibiotics or azelaic acid. They should be used for a month to two, otherwise the effect cannot be achieved. However, such gels have serious contraindications and side effects - to avoid trouble, you must strictly follow the instructions for use. Another thing is preventive means; they can be used for quite a long time. The latter include various lotions with plant extracts - nettle, aloe, chamomile and others. In this case, regular preventive use is also important.
Drying effect
As mentioned, pimples and acne appear first on oily skin, and drying products bring good results. Almost all such preparations are based on salicylic acid, some have an alcohol base and care must be taken with them to avoid peeling.
Homemade drying remedies for acne - in particular, lemon, clay, egg white, grapefruit juice. They are used to prepare wipes, masks, and additives in washing gels. After masks and wipes, the residue must be thoroughly washed off the face.
Acne in adolescence
Acne in teenagers is a separate problem; they are much more common than those that appear due to illness. To get rid of the disease and prevent its recurrence, you need to follow certain lifestyle rules.
The main thing is to choose a healthy diet rich in vitamins and microelements.
Carbonated drinks should be excluded, sweets and coffee kept to a minimum. Instead, you can drink natural juices without restrictions; besides, vegetables and fruits, yoghurts, kefir, and dairy products with bifidobacteria are also useful. Following a rational diet will lead to normalization of metabolism, proper protein synthesis and, as a result, to streamlining the natural regeneration of the skin and the absence of acne.
Cosmetics should contain natural ingredients, but even with this you need to know when to stop. In addition, tar soap, boric alcohol mixtures, as well as yeast masks and the same salicylic ointment will help treat acne.
Acne scar removal
The wrong method of treatment, and even more so squeezing out pimples, often causes scars and scars in their place. What exactly to use to remove them depends on the severity of the scar. So, if the defects are subtle, you can use drugs based on 2% hydroquinone.
If the defects are deep and have a pronounced dark color, it is worth trying creams such as Mederma, Brightener or Skin Bright. Creams of this type have an excellent whitening effect; they can rid your face of scars in just a month or two.
For especially deep scars, you need to contact a specialist who will issue a prescription for a drug with 4% hydroquinone. Along with it, you need to use various fruit masks, whitening creams, and you can do peeling.
Homemade, folk recipes
Effective relief from troubles can be carried out not only with drugs sold in pharmacies, but also with formulations prepared according to folk recipes at home. The advantage of the latter is that, for example, unlike the pharmacy range, herbs can be used even by pregnant women - acne during this period is not at all uncommon.
You can apply garlic pulp to a face previously treated with cream or Vaseline, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Crushed oatmeal gives excellent results when mixed with egg whites. This mixture is infused for one hour and immediately applied to the face. Or this recipe - apply a mixture of equal proportions of onion and potato juices to your face for a while and rinse with cold water.
Daily rubbing with raspberry, strawberry or strawberry juice is beneficial. You can infuse the berries by pouring ordinary vodka over them, and the resulting solution must be filtered. Rubbing with decoctions of sage, celandine, even plain water in which fir oil is dissolved or vinegar, only slightly dissolved, will be effective. A huge amount of various vitamins are contained in pumpkin and cucumber pastes - starch can be added here to improve drying. This mixture is kept on the skin for no more than half an hour.
Whipped protein will surely help keratinized skin; it dries almost immediately after lubrication, and the resulting film is removed, taking the dead skin layer with it. After applying the protein, you will need to lubricate your face with another nourishing and antiseptic cream.
In general, herbal decoctions, ice, and berry scrubs can be used every day. Any mask is applied exclusively to clean skin, and if the product dries quickly, then a second layer is applied to the first layer. To illustrate the effect produced, it is worth taking a photograph before the start of treatment, and upon completion, compare the photo with yourself in the mirror.
Inexpensive but effective pharmaceutical drugs
Not all acne treatments available in pharmacies are expensive. There are a number of ointments, for example salicylic and streptocidal. The first is directly indicated for combating acne, the second has a strong bactericidal effect and can be used two to three times a day. Olive oil mixed with aspirin, doxycycline or streptocide will also help with acne. Syntomycin or sulfur ointment will cope with bacteria, and zinc ointment can dry out the rash.
Other types of drugs from pharmacies
There are a number of other factory-made drugs that have shown themselves to be excellent and have earned the best reviews. For example, the same “Baziron” - cream or gel - it is based on lipids and fatty acids. The course of treatment will be 2 weeks, using twice a day. It should be borne in mind that the effect of treatment will not appear earlier than after a month.
Among the fairly numerous products that can help a person fight the problem of acne, one can also mention Aknebay gel, Clearasil, Proactive, Retin-A - the list goes on for a long time. The noticeable results of use vary, as does the duration of acceptable treatment with them, but each of them is effective. In order to choose the optimal remedy, take into account all sorts of nuances and avoid side effects, of course, it is very advisable - and sometimes mandatory - to consult a doctor.
The latest products developed by scientists have long been used to get rid of acne as quickly as possible. Hoping for professional help, a large number of people turn to beauty salons and other medical centers, but the other half of the population is interested in finding a spot medicine that can cure acne at home. What base should a product contain to forever protect a person from acne? We will answer the question in this article.
What kind of quick-acting spot treatment is needed when acne is a “fire on the skin”
If you have a medicine on hand that can protect against acne, you can read the ingredients - there probably are a lot of disinfecting and antimicrobial elements. Spot treatments contain a large amount of components that can quickly destroy the hated pimple. There are several types of acne:
- Comedones are large affected areas of keratinized skin. The hair follicle contains sebum, which affects the appearance of comedones;
- Nodules or papules - appear if the pilosebaceous follicle is inflamed, most often rising 1-3 mm above the skin;
- Pustules are bubbly, purulent pimples that appear due to the presence of propionic bacteria.
- Nodules and cysts - which tend to develop in the deepest layers when the wall of the follicle ruptures - begin to climb to the surface, rising above the skin.
On the face and neck, pimples appear in the form of pustules. In severe cases of the disease, they attack the lower parts of the body - these may be the back, shoulders, chest. Trying to destroy such formations using a contact drug is not recommended, since there will be no result. The treatment process should begin only when only the first comedones appear.
Acne spot treatment: what happens when a pimple forms:
- Malfunctions in the functioning of the circulatory system begin, blood cells try to free themselves from the tight space - this is fraught with inflammation;
- The immune system begins a fierce fight against germs and tries to remove dead layers;
- Inflammation occurs, swelling appears, the skin thickens;
- It is rare to feel a burning sensation.
In order to soothe the epidermis and provide greater resistance to microorganisms, medications with a dotted effect are used. They are able to relieve inflammation in a short time, eliminate burning, pain, and remove swelling. After a few hours, acne will noticeably decrease in size. For the drug to be more effective, the first signs of acne should be eliminated in the early stages. Dermatologists confirm the benefits of the following steps:
Step one. To cleanse the skin of inflammation, you should use one at a time or several drugs at once:
- tincture of eucalyptus or calendula, prepared on an alcohol basis - must be diluted in warm water in a ratio of 1 to 2;
- homemade or pharmacy tonics to keep your skin clean;
- the help of the pharmaceutical drug “Chlorhexidine” has been proven for a long time; in terms of effectiveness, no one has yet competed with it;
- lotions that dry out the skin and prevent the formation of acne.
Step two. Use a quick-acting spot treatment at least twice a day. Can be used:
- tincture of eucalyptus or calendula, prepared on an alcohol basis - must be diluted in warm water in a ratio of 1 to 2;
- tonic from calendula tincture with the addition of salicylic acid, dissolved in 100 ml of warm clean water. To achieve maximum effect, you can use a couple of drops of bergamot oil;
- acetylsalicylic acid in the amount of 1 tablet is mixed with a teaspoon of juice taken from one-year-old aloe. You should get a paste.
Step three. Use one, or preferably two, spot preparations of the following samples:
- "Baziron AS". Other medications that contain benzoyl peroxide are also suitable;
- "Metrogil." Contains metronidazole (the component fights bacteria even in severe cases);
- "Curiosin." Consists of zinc paste;
- Products with a high content of azelaic acid, for example Azelik gel.
Step four. The skin needs a protective cream that prevents ultraviolet radiation.
Salicylic acid itself is included in the base of half of the marketed cosmetic preparations. It is capable of destroying fat from the glands and the stratum corneum of the skin, which has a beneficial effect on therapeutic treatment. To remove rashes, a 2% ointment containing petroleum jelly is suitable. It is necessary to use the product until the acne disappears.
You can first use an infusion of chamomile flowers or choose another antiseptic lotion. Then salicylic ointment is applied pointwise to the damaged areas - for this you can use an ordinary cotton swab. Do not forget that ointment can dry out the skin, while petroleum jelly, on the contrary, limits water evaporation - which is why targeted application of the product is necessary. Treatment can be carried out up to 3 times per day.
Pharmacy products from the brands Clinique, Neutrogena, Estee Lauder, Benefit, Clean & Clear are in great demand. Clinique produces corrective foundations with salicylic acid. Frequently occurring elements of the composition treat the skin, and the foundation removes acne and makes them almost invisible. This product helps foundation lovers feel beautiful again.
Amina Pirmanova / article author