By Allure Editors, Allure
Yes, even beauty editors—with speed-dial access to pretty much every doctor/chemist/product/acne treatment on earth—get the occasional breakout. Which means we need to find the best acne treatments at all times. Because sometimes, what you think are the best treatments aren't so good for zits—and exactly what you'd think not to do is, in fact, the right way to go, according to our doctor BFFs. We figure we should share the wealth, because why keep it all on the 31st floor of the World Trade Center, right? Here are Allure editors' best acne treatments.Don't overcleanse.
[post_ads]"I think the biggest misconception with acne is that you need to cleanse with a harsh gel cleanser that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid to suck every last ounce of moisture out of your skin. Obviously, you should talk to your dermatologist first, because everyone’s skin is different, but they’ll probably tell you this: You’re overcleansing, which causes overdrying, which causes more breakouts—it’s a vicious cycle.
The minute I switched to gentler cleansers, likemy breakouts subsided and my skin started to look not only clearer, but more plump and glow-y, too." —Sophia Panych, digital deputy beauty directorWhatever you do, do not skip moisturizer. "I used to overdry my face with harsh acne products, but that created its own problems—scaling, flaking, et cetera. The more hydrated my skin is, the less I tend to break out. So even if I’m spot-treating, I always do it after applying a layer of lotion, like
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Tone down the scrubbing. "I love exfoliating and used to scrub my face with harsh formulas pretty much daily. My skin became really dry, which made me just scrub more. Now I use gentle exfoliating face washes, like Pond's Luminous Clean Daily Exfoliating Cleanser—and only about every other day. This has definitely helped keep pimples at bay." —Liz Denton, digital editor
First hydrate. Then zap. "Last year, my dermatologist told me that topical treatments work best when your face is moist. For my whole postpubescent life, I would apply salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to dry skin, thinking my moisturizer would seal in the good stuff. But I wouldn't see results. My skin looks so much better now that I’ve flipped my skin-care routine." —Devon Abelman, associate digital editor
Have a strong start. "At the first sign of trouble, I spot-treat like my life depends on it. I don’t touch it. I don’t pick at it. I clean it, dab on a little Benzac Intensive Spot Treatment, and step away." —Ariba Alvi, associate social media producer
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Think beyond the cream. "The Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers are the most underrated, underappreciated and under-the-radar acne solution. These patches act like a sponge, absorbing pus and oil from all kinds of large, angry zits without leaving the flaky, scaly skin you might see from a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid treatment. Plus, they’re 100 percent medication-free." —Rachel Jacoby Zoldan, deputy digital editor
And maybe about an oil. "Yes, face oil! I've fallen in love with Sunday Riley U.F.O Ultra-Clarifying face oil ($90), which helps calm overnight flare-ups thanks to salicylic acid—without dehydrating my sensitive skin—thanks to a slew of natural oils and aloe-flower extract." —Rachel Jacoby Zoldan
It's a lifestyle thing. "I always make sure to clean my makeup brushes every two months or so, and I pay close attention to my stress levels if I'm seeing excess oil surface." —Simone Oliver, digital director
And a diet thing. "I tend to break out above and between my brows. In Chinese medicine face reading, those areas are linked to digestion and consumption of rich or processed foods. A spot usually appears there whenever I’ve had one too many cheat days." —Kat Suico, beauty assistant
[post_ads_2]
Play the long game. "Instead of applying topical acne treatments to problem areas like a game of Whack-a Mole, rub a pea-size amount—not a palmful, too much can be overkill—of product on your whole face. This tweak to my skin-care routine has given me less little pimples and more days of clear skin." —Devon Abelman
Neosporin FTW. "As I’m getting older, single pimples tend to leave a red mark that lasts for months. I thought they were scars, but a few dermatologists have said that it’s just hyperpigmentation and irritation. The best fix? A thin layer of Neosporin the minute the pimple dries and the mark shows up. It noticeably speeds the healing process." —Sophia Panych
[post_ads_2]
Tone down the scrubbing. "I love exfoliating and used to scrub my face with harsh formulas pretty much daily. My skin became really dry, which made me just scrub more. Now I use gentle exfoliating face washes, like Pond's Luminous Clean Daily Exfoliating Cleanser—and only about every other day. This has definitely helped keep pimples at bay." —Liz Denton, digital editor
First hydrate. Then zap. "Last year, my dermatologist told me that topical treatments work best when your face is moist. For my whole postpubescent life, I would apply salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to dry skin, thinking my moisturizer would seal in the good stuff. But I wouldn't see results. My skin looks so much better now that I’ve flipped my skin-care routine." —Devon Abelman, associate digital editor
Have a strong start. "At the first sign of trouble, I spot-treat like my life depends on it. I don’t touch it. I don’t pick at it. I clean it, dab on a little Benzac Intensive Spot Treatment, and step away." —Ariba Alvi, associate social media producer
[post_ads_2]
Think beyond the cream. "The Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers are the most underrated, underappreciated and under-the-radar acne solution. These patches act like a sponge, absorbing pus and oil from all kinds of large, angry zits without leaving the flaky, scaly skin you might see from a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid treatment. Plus, they’re 100 percent medication-free." —Rachel Jacoby Zoldan, deputy digital editor
And maybe about an oil. "Yes, face oil! I've fallen in love with Sunday Riley U.F.O Ultra-Clarifying face oil ($90), which helps calm overnight flare-ups thanks to salicylic acid—without dehydrating my sensitive skin—thanks to a slew of natural oils and aloe-flower extract." —Rachel Jacoby Zoldan
It's a lifestyle thing. "I always make sure to clean my makeup brushes every two months or so, and I pay close attention to my stress levels if I'm seeing excess oil surface." —Simone Oliver, digital director
And a diet thing. "I tend to break out above and between my brows. In Chinese medicine face reading, those areas are linked to digestion and consumption of rich or processed foods. A spot usually appears there whenever I’ve had one too many cheat days." —Kat Suico, beauty assistant
[post_ads_2]
Play the long game. "Instead of applying topical acne treatments to problem areas like a game of Whack-a Mole, rub a pea-size amount—not a palmful, too much can be overkill—of product on your whole face. This tweak to my skin-care routine has given me less little pimples and more days of clear skin." —Devon Abelman
Neosporin FTW. "As I’m getting older, single pimples tend to leave a red mark that lasts for months. I thought they were scars, but a few dermatologists have said that it’s just hyperpigmentation and irritation. The best fix? A thin layer of Neosporin the minute the pimple dries and the mark shows up. It noticeably speeds the healing process." —Sophia Panych
