How can I make my acne go away at home?

If you have acne, you can start an at-home skin care routine to help your acne go away by:

Washing your skin at least once daily with warm (not hot) water and a gentle cleanser. Cleansers are over-the-counter skin care products that help clean your skin.

Washing your skin after you exercise or sweat.

Avoid using skin care products with alcohol, astringents, toners and exfoliants, which can irritate your skin.

Removing your makeup at the end of the day or before you go to bed.

Choosing an oil-free moisturizer to apply on your skin after cleansing.

Avoid popping, picking or squeezing your acne. Let your skin heal naturally to prevent scars from forming on your skin.

If your at-home skin care routine isn't effective at treating acne, visit a healthcare provider.

 

Is acne treatment safe for people who are pregnant?

Many topical and oral acne treatments aren't safe to take during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, it's important to discuss acne treatments with your healthcare provider and notify them if you become pregnant.

 

How long does it take for acne to go away?

On average, it can take between one to two weeks for acne pimples to clear up on their own. With medicated treatment and a good skin care routine, you can speed up your body's healing time to make acne go away faster. For severe acne, it can take several weeks for your acne to go away, even with treatment.

How can I prevent acne?

You can't completely prevent acne, especially during hormone changes, but you can reduce your risk of developing acne by:

 

Washing your face daily with warm water and a facial cleanser.

Using an oil-free moisturizer.

Wearing "noncomedogenic" makeup products and removing makeup at the end of each day.

Keeping your hands away from your face.

What can I expect if I have acne?

Acne often goes away in early adulthood, though some people will continue to experience acne throughout adulthood. Your healthcare provider or a board-certified dermatologist can help you manage this condition. Various medications and therapies are effective forms of treatment. They target the underlying factors that contribute to acne. It may take several different types of treatment before you and your healthcare provider find one that works best for your skin. The skin care products that work for you might not work for someone else with similar symptoms.

Can acne cause scars?

Yes, sometimes acne can cause scarring. This happens when the acne penetrates the top layer of your skin and damages deeper skin layers. Inflammation makes your acne pores swell and the pore walls start to breakdown, which causes skin damage. Scarring can be a source of anxiety, which is normal. Before treatment, your healthcare provider will determine what type of acne caused your scars. There are several treatment options available for acne scars.