When it comes to effectively treating pimples, we’d always look for ingredients listed below that actually work and choose the one(s) best suited to your skin’s condition.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Best for: Either spot treating big, angry pimples or as a full face treatment.
What to expect: Improvement in a few days, maximum results in three months.
Where to get it: In OTC topical treatments or by prescription
Salicylic Acid
Best for: Treating blackheads and whiteheads by exfoliating dead skin.
What to expect: Some improvement within a few days, maximum results in two to four weeks.
Where to get it: In OTC topical treatments.
Spironolactone (blood pressure pill)
Best for: Hormone-related acne. Oily skin, and cystic acne
What to expect: Drastic improvement within three months
Where to get it: By prescription only
Isotretinoin (commonly referred to by the now-defunct brand name Accutane)
Best for: Those with severe acne and no immediate plans to become pregnant
What to expect: Noticeable results from the oral retinoid within two months
Where to get it: By prescription only.
Retinoids
Best for: Blackheads, whiteheads, acne and fine lines.
What to expect: Improvement in several weeks to months, with skin irritation likely for the first two to four weeks.
Where to get it: In OTC topical treatments (such as Eileen Mai Retinol Serum) or by prescription
Dapsone
Best for: Sensitive skin with acne
What to expect: Improvement in several weeks to months.
Where to get it: By prescription only
Cortisone
Best for: Cystic acne
What to expect: The blemish will basically be gone within 24 hours of receiving the cortisone shot
Where to get it: In a dermatologist’s office. (Confirm with your doctor that it’s a low dose of cortisone. Too much could cause a dent in the skin.)
Doxycycline and Minocycline
Best for: Moderate to severe acne
What to expect: Results within a week when combined with a topical acne treatment. To prevent bacterial resistance, these oral antibiotics can only be used for three months at
a time.
Where to get it: By prescription only
