Though everyone can suffer from breakouts, adult women are more likely to have acne than adult men. Therefore, it’s crucial to implement a skin care regimen that addresses your acne type. You can enjoy a clean and clear complexion with various inexpensive acne treatments.

Take a look at the five most effective ways to address your acne.

What Causes Acne?

Before you buy a bunch of cleansers and serums, it’s essential to understand why acne exists. Almost everyone has a different experience with this skin condition – for instance, you may have inflammatory acne caused by bacteria. You can identify which form you have by how your acne looks and feels.

For the most part, you’ll find that an excess of sebum has clogged your pores. Your goal should be to lessen this amount of oil through your acne treatments. If you notice that your acne continues to persist after consistent use, it may be time to talk to a dermatologist.

Here are a few solutions to consider.

1. Salicylic Acid

Aside from sebum, dead skin cells can build-up within pores. It’s essential to exfoliate your skin regularly so that you can prevent pimples. As a beta-hydroxy acid, salicylic acid works to slough away dead skin cells and thoroughly clean out your pores. It’s useful for both blackheads and whiteheads.

If you have especially oily skin, try a cleanser with salicylic acid as the first step of your skin care routine. Otherwise, you can apply this solution to your pimples directly. Try not to use too much, as it can dry out your skin and cause it to produce more oil.

2. Moisturizer

Yes, you read that correctly! People who suffer from acne tend to think they don’t need to moisturize because it’ll create more problems. Actually, that opinion couldn’t be further from the truth. Often, those with acne need more moisture to repair their skin’s acid mantle or moisture barrier. When your skin doesn’t have enough hydration, it can overproduce sebum.

A light moisturizer should be one of the last skin care products you use. Many individuals like to use facial oils, like squalane, which nurtures the skin. Either way, make sure to incorporate a moisturizer both morning and night.

3. Niacinamide

Niacinamide reduces excess sebum production and improves pore appearance within the skin. It can also decrease redness caused by inflammation. As a result, pimples won’t form as often.

You can find niacinamide within cleansers, serums and other acne treatments. Most skin care products contain 10% niacinamide, which often works well without any irritation. Niacinamide serves as an acne treatment for women and men, so everyone can use it.

4. Benzoyl Peroxide

While salicylic acid works well for non-inflammatory acne, benzoyl peroxide can be a savior for inflamed skin. If you experience red, painful pimples, you likely need a solution to kill the bacteria that lies underneath. A benzoyl peroxide face wash could provide the results you need.

It’s essential to choose a skin care product that contains no more than 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. You may find cleansers that feature 10%, but small amounts are just as sufficient and won’t cause further damage to the skin. If you notice your skin peels after you use benzoyl peroxide, tone down your usage to once or twice a week.

5. Glycolic Acid

At the end of the day, you should seek out acne treatments that work into your skin without any irritation. As an alpha-hydroxy acid, glycolic acid can penetrate your pores to remove dirt and sebum. When paired with a cleanser and serum, glycolic acid leaves behind gently exfoliated skin that’s bright and glowy.

Search for solutions that include less than 30% glycolic acid. While you can perform chemical peels at home, make sure to do so with caution. You should always use a moisturizer and sunscreen after application.

Try These Acne Treatments for Clean and Clear Skin

Whether you struggle with occasional breakouts or constant pimples, acne often feels like the end of the world. Fortunately, there are so many solutions that won’t harm or damage your skin any further. Choose an acne treatment for women from this list to get started!