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Introduction to Daily Acne Care Regimens

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An estimated 85 percent of teenagers get acne, according to the University of California. See more pictures of getting beautiful skin.

Pimple, zit, blackhead, blemish. Acne can be embarrassing, painful and just plain gross -- no matter what you call it. If you have acne, you're not alone. Eighty-five percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 have facial acne, and so do 25 percent of adults between the ages of 25 and 44. [source: Science Daily].

You can treat and prevent acne, but it's important to understand what you're treating. Acne traces its roots to the oil glands in the skin, which produce oil that keeps skin moisturized. Sometimes the natural balance of the glands is thrown off when hormone levels alter oil production, such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Hormones, testosterone in particular, can enlarge oil glands and produce excess oil. This oil then seeps into hair follicles, along with dead skin cells, and clogs them. The result is acne [source: AAD].

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Acne comes in several forms. Among these are blackheads, which appear black and remain open to the air, and whiteheads, which close over and appear as white bumps. Other types of acne appear as red, raised bumps or nodules. The most severe form of acne is cysts, which run deep into the skin and contain white blood cells. Though not as common, cysts can be the most difficult acne to treat [source: AAD].

If left untreated, acne can cause scarring and future breakouts. It's important to treat existing acne as soon as possible and create a daily skin care regimen to prevent acne from returning. If you tend to your skin daily, you should be able to prevent severe acne breakouts.

To learn how to develop an acne care regimen that works for you, keep reading.

Daily Acne Cleansing

Three-part Skin Care Systems

Some companies offer a complete acne care system. These systems typically include an acne-fighting cleanser, a toner or medication to treat acne, and a moisturizer. Products in these systems are designed to work for different skin types, but they don't work for everyone. If you find that a particular system is ineffective, try individual products from other product lines or see a dermatologist to discuss a customized acne care system.

The first part of your regimen should involve cleansing the skin to remove dirt, excess oil and other irritants. Choose a mild cleanser that is perfume-free and oil-free or noncomedogenic, which means the product won't obstruct pores. An effective acne cleanser should also contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria and salicylic acid helps clear away oil and dead skin cells [source: AAD].

Cleanse your face twice daily. Don't wash the skin more than twice a day and don't scrub your skin because these actions could lead to further irritation [source: AAD Myths]. Be sure to cleanse all areas of the body that are affected by acne or could be affected by acne. In addition to the face, acne may also appear on the chest, back and buttocks, and these areas can be cleansed the same way as the face [source: Skin Care Guide Cleansers]. If an over-the-counter cleanser isn't effective, a dermatologist may prescribe a special cleanser.

You shouldn't use astringents, masks or toners [source: AAD Guidelines]. These products promise to remove excess oil left after cleansing, but they can irritate the skin. If you decide to use one of these products, choose one that's alcohol-free so it won't irritate the skin.

A successful cleanser should help treat and prevent acne, but moisturizers are also used as part of a daily acne care regimen. See the next page for information on moisturizers for acne-prone skin.

Daily Moisturizing for Acne

The Sun Myth

Tanning doesn't help clear up acne. On the contrary, the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause aging, irritation and even skin cancer. Furthermore, some acne treatments and skin care products make the skin more susceptible to sunburn and sun damage. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day [source: AAD Pamphlet]. For an easy skin care regimen, find an oil-free moisturizer that contains sunscreen.

Water and excess oil are removed from the skin during cleansing. Normal amounts of water and oil are necessary to keep the skin moisturized, particularly for aging skin. Even if you have acne, you should moisturize to put oil and water back into the skin. Use a moisturizer that's oil-free and perfume-free so it won't aggravate acne-prone skin [source: AAD Guidelines].

Be sure to moisturize your body in addition to your face. The face has the most oil glands on the body, so apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the face; a thicker layer may be applied to other body parts [source: Skin Care Guide Types]. If you're worried that your moisturizer is contributing to your acne, see your dermatologist.

If you have acne and use cosmetics, choose makeup that's labeled as noncomedogenic or oil-free. Wear powder foundations instead of liquid foundations because liquid foundations may add oil to the skin. Put medications and other treatments on the skin before using moisturizer or makeup. If you find that a product irritates or causes more acne, discontinue its use.

Cleansing, moisturizing and using the appropriate cosmetics should be enough to prevent acne. Many of these products incorporate vitamins, which can help clear and prevent acne. Read on to learn about the vitamins you can incorporate into your daily acne care regimen.

Daily Vitamins for Acne

Hands Off

Your hands could get you into trouble when it comes to acne. Don't pick at your skin or touch your face too often because this may spread oil and bacteria to your pores. Popping pimples or squeezing acne-prone skin can increase the risk for inflammation, lengthen acne healing times and cause scarring [source: AAD Guidelines].

Vitamins and minerals can aid in fighting acne. Vitamin A boosts immunity, helps the body remove dead skin cells and supports cell growth. Vitamin C treats inflammation and boosts collagen production, which keeps your skin smooth. Vitamin E treats scarring, and zinc helps you heal faster, decreases inflammation and improves the efficacy of your immune system [source: Skincare-News.com].

To make these vitamins a part of your daily acne care regimen, you could add oral vitamin supplements to your diet. However, most dermatologists say this is unnecessary and could be dangerous if supplements aren't taken as directed. Acne-fighting vitamins already appear in daily multivitamins and many acne cleansers [source: Skincare-News.com]. If you eat healthy food and take a daily multivitamin, you won't need to add vitamin supplements to your diet.

You might have heard that chocolate or fried foods cause acne, but this is a myth. Diet has not been proved to cause acne problems; however, a healthy diet can benefit the skin. Healthy eating keeps the body working properly and boosts your immunity to fend off acne-causing bacteria. If you suspect that certain foods make your acne worse, dermatologists recommend that you avoid those foods [source: AAD Myths].

In addition to being found in cleansers and foods, acne-fighting vitamins are also found in some acne treatments. These treatments use the beneficial properties of vitamins to treat existing acne and boost immunity. Find out what types of treatment are available for acne on the next page.

Daily Medications for Acne

Other Dermatological Treatments

Dermatologists offer many acne treatments that don't involve long-term medications. These include peels, lasers and injections. Chemical peels use acidic ingredients to open pores and remove blockages. Laser treatments involve applying a treatment to the skin that makes skin cells sensitive to light and then using light to destroy clogging elements [source: Derma Network]. Corticosteroid, a steroid, may be injected into a cyst to lessen inflammation [source: AAD Prescription]. Ask your dermatologist what treatments are right for you.

If your cleanser and moisturizer are ineffective, you may need targeted treatment. Acne treatment should begin as soon as acne appears. Several over-the-counter treatments are available, and most are topical spot treatments. These products include acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and retinoids, which are derived from vitamin A.

If you become discouraged during the treatment process, remember that treatments can sometimes take weeks or months to work -- even those that promise to clear your skin overnight [source: Skincare-News.com]. If your spot treatment is ineffective, see a dermatologist. A physician may prescribe birth control pills to help women counteract the hormones that cause excess oil production [source: AAD Pamphlet]. Dermatologists may also prescribe medicated cleansers and moisturizers.

For moderate to severe acne, doctors may also prescribe one of a variety of oral antibiotics. These prescription medications work to decrease the P. acnes population, which is a contributing factor in acne. Erythromycin is effective against a wide range of bacteria, including P. acnes and its most common side effect is gastrointestinal tract discomfort. Tetracycline and its synthetic derivatives, doxycycline and minocycline, are other oral antibiotics used to treat acne. Doxycycline is especially effective at treating inflammatory acne, but can cause sun sensitivity in some patients. Minocycline is successful at treating acne that hasn't responded to other medications [source: AcneNet].

For some people acne may be part of daily life for several years. Find an acne care regimen that works for you and stick to it every day -- even when you're not breaking out -- because this will help control your acne. Use the links on the following page to learn more about acne treatment and prevention, and see your dermatologist if you have questions.

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