Home Remedies

Poke prudently. Generally, dermatologists discourage squeezing blackheads and popping whiteheads. These practices have long been suspected of aggravating acne and increasing the likelihood of scarring. “But everyone squeezes their pimples;’ says Alan P. Brauer, M.D. “Saying ‘don’t do it’ is ridiculous. Just do it gently. Wash your hands first, and maybe dab the blemish with rubbing alcohol before and after to keep it disinfected.”

Wash gently. Excessive scrubbing with harsh cleansers does little to clear up acne. Worse, it may dry, chap, and irritate your skin, leaving your skin more vulnerable to the side effects of topical acne treatments.

Instead, wash your face twice daily with a mild soap such as Ivory, advises Anne Simons, M.D. Choose a bar that doesn’t contain moisturizing oils, which can clog your pores. There’s no need to spend money on expensive acne soaps. These aren’t particularly effective anyway because you wash off the medication as soon as you rinse your skin.

Use minimal makeup. Many cosmetics manufacturers have developed products that they say won’t contribute to acne. Even so, women with especially sensitive skin may get blemishes when using certain cosmetics. If you’re a woman who’s prone to breakouts, your best bet is to wear as little makeup as possible. Read labels and choose products that are water-based rather than oil-based. You may have to experiment with different brands until you find some that don’t provoke pimples.

Learn not to lean. Avoid resting your cheek or chin on your hand, which can irritate your skin enough to trigger a breakout. For the same reason, try not to cradle your telephone receiver between your head and shoulder.

Over-The-Counter Drugs

Pick the best product for you. No less than 50 over-the-counter acne treatments are currently on the market. If you were to compare their labels, you’d notice that all of these products have one of four active ingredients: benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or sulfur-resorcinol. Benzoyl peroxide works by opening pores and killing the bacteria that contribute to acne. The other three ingredients break down the plugs that lead to blackheads and pimples.

As of now, all four active ingredients have been deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But reports that benzoyl peroxide might promote tumor growth have prompted the FDA to investigate the chemical compound further.

No one acne treatment works the same for everyone. For this reason, the American Pharmaceutical Association suggests that you try several different products and see which one gives you the best results. Always follow the package directions for proper use. If you develop redness, irritation, or a rash from a particular product, stop using it immediately.

Other Good Choices

Homeopathy

Fight pimples from the inside out. Several different homeopathic medicines have proved effective in clearing up acne, according to homeopath Dana Ullman. He recommends Silicea for whiteheads, Hepar sulfuris for pimples that are painful to touch, Kali muriaticum for pimples that produce thick white pus, and Graphites for pimples that produce yellowish pus. To find out which of these medicines would work best for you, consult a homeopath.

Chinese Medicine

Cool off, dry out. Chinese medicine attributes acne to excess Heat, which contributes to skin inflammation and infection, and excess Dampness, which produces the pus inside pimples. Acne and other skin problems also are closely linked to the Lung and Large Intestine organ networks, according to Efrem Korngold, O.M.D., L.AC.

The typical Chinese recommendation for acne involves cooling Heat, drying Dampness, and supporting the Lung and Large Intestine. Dr. Korngold recommends eating more cooling foods such as raw fruits and vegetables and avoiding heat-generating foods such as spices, meats, and anything fatty or greasy. He also prescribes herbs that cool Heat and dry Dampness. These include sarsaparilla, honeysuckle, forsythia, rhubarb, and sophora. To find out which of these herbs would help you most, consult an oriental medicine doctor.

Target the large intestine. The United Nations World Health Organization endorses acupuncture as a treatment for acne. If you’re interested in acupuncture, you need to consult an acupuncturist. But for a self-care alternative, try acupressure. Simply apply steady, penetrating finger pressure to each of the following points for 3 minutes.

• Large Intestine, located at the outer end of your elbow crease on the thumb side
• Large Intestine, located on the back of your hand where the bones of your thumb and index finger meet

Ayurvedic Medicine

Gravitate toward gugulipid. An extract of the Indian mukul myrrh tree, gugulipid­sometimes called guggul-appears to heal acne. In one study, Indian researchers gave 30 people with moderate to severe acne gugulipid three times a day for 6 weeks. Three-quarters of the study participants got either “good” or “excellent” results from the herb. If you want to try gugulipid for yourself, you’ll need to consult an Ayurvedic physician.

Naturopathy

Apply heat to unplug pores. Warm water can help open your pores, allowing oil and dead skin cells to flow out more freely. Dr. Weil suggests applying a comfortably hot compress to the affected skin three or so times a day. Be aware, though, that high humidity can actually aggravate acne in some people. If your blemishes seem to be getting worse instead of better, stop using the compresses.

Medical Measures

For an especially severe or stubborn case of acne, you may need a prescription acne treatment to clear up your skin. Dermatologists may recommend benzoyl peroxide gels or topical retinoids such as tretinoin (Retin-A) and adapalene (Differin). Other prescription drugs include isotretinoin (Accutane), antibiotics, alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid (Azelex), and triphasic oral contraceptives.

Red Flags

If you experience a sudden eruption of severe acne, consult a doctor promptly. It may signal a potentially serious medical condition that has affected your body’s hormone production.

Also, see your doctor if your blemishes look like welts and the surrounding skin appears red and feels hot to the touch. This form of acne, called cystic acne, requires professional treatment.