Do you feel like you’ve tried every acne treatment out there to no avail? Breakouts can be frustrating at any age. To help simplify things, we’ve put together a list of best practices for dealing with acne. This includes some of the most effective treatment options out there and also the optimum time to implement them. 

Read on for our most useful treatment and timing tips to help you achieve clearer skin: 

Give it time - acne treatments need at least a month to start working 

Started a new acne treatment for that just isn’t giving you the instant results you were looking for? Give it a bit more time. It can take at least four weeks for most acne treatments to show results, and a may even take a few months before your acne starts to clear up. 

Unfortunately, many people give up on new treatments and products prematurely. Remember, patience is key if you want to see visible results! The only time you should scrap a product within the first few days is if you get a bad reaction such as a rash or irritation. 

Follow the directions on the product packaging 

While you may feel that a product is pretty straightforward to use, many acne products contain potent ingredients that can irritate the skin if not applied properly so read the instructions on the packaging and follow them to a tee. 

This includes how much of the product you should use and how frequently you should use it. Overusing an acne-fighting product can result in skin damage, while not using it often enough won’t give you the results you want. You also want to make sure that you’re using just the right amount to tackle your acne without irritating your skin or stripping it of its natural oils. 

In a nutshell: follow the instructions and you should be fine! 

Don’t ‘over treat’ your acne 

This is related to the common acne myth (insert link to acne myth blog post) that spots are caused by dirty skin. Many people try to eliminate spots by scrubbing their face too aggressively or washing it too often. But using harsh scrubs or washing your face too vigorously can irritate your skin. 

Cleanse your face just twice a day with a mild face wash that is formulated with acne-fighting ingredients. When it comes to exfoliation, we’d recommend limiting it to 2-3 times a week using a gentle facial scrub. 

Use only non-comedogenic products 

The primary cause of acne is clogged pores, so you want to ensure that any skincare products and cosmetics that you’re using aren’t clogging up your pores. Look for makeup that is ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘oil-free’ and you’re much less likely to get breakouts from it. 

If you’re continuing to get fresh breakouts and you suspect it may be due to cosmetics that you’re using, start eliminating products one at a time until you get to the root cause.

Resist pimple popping 

We know, it’s incredibly tempting to try to pop an angry zit. Unfortunately, DIY methods can actually make things a lot worse and result in scarring. You could also get an infection if you accidentally transfer bacteria from your hands to an open scab or pimple. 

Spot a whitehead that’s just asking to be popped? Again, patience is key. Apply an acne spot treatment with proven acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide and leave your spots alone. 

Visit a dermatologist for severe and persistent acne 

While there are some great acne products that you can get over the counter, you should monitor the progress of your skin over time. If you’re not seeing any visible results after a few months and you’ve tried a few different products, it may be time to visit a dermatologist. 

A dermatologist will examine your skin and create a bespoke acne treatment plan. The products they recommend will be packed with more potent ingredients that are designed to clear up severe and persistent acne. 

Protect your skin with SPF every day 

Skipping sunscreen is one of the biggest and most common skincare mistakes people make. Your skin needs daily protection from UV rays, even on an overcast day. And you need this even more if you’re using acne products, some of which contain ingredients that cause heightened sun sensitivity and make you more prone to sunburn. 

Get into the habit of applying a moisturizer with SPF on your face every day and reapply every two hours if you’re planning to be in the sun all day. As with your makeup products, search for a sunscreen that is non-comedogenic and won’t cause your skin to break out more.