Summer can make acne-prone skin harder to manage, but a board-certified dermatologist says the solution is usually not a complicated routine. Dr. Bertha Baum told E! News that acne care works best when it is simple, consistent, and tailored to the type of breakouts a person has.
Baum said one of the most common mistakes she sees is people using several acne products at once after seeing them on social media. She said more products do not necessarily lead to better results, and that most people need six to 12 weeks of steady use before seeing meaningful improvement.
According to Baum, blackheads and whiteheads are usually comedonal acne, which can be treated with ingredients like salicylic acid and topical retinoids. Red, swollen, or pus-filled breakouts are considered inflammatory acne, and benzoyl peroxide can be especially helpful because it targets acne-causing bacteria and helps calm inflammation.
For a basic routine, Baum recommended a gentle cleanser, a treatment product, a lightweight moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning and at night. She also said sunscreen is important because acne can leave dark marks that may last longer with sun exposure, and she advised people with painful deep bumps, scarring, or acne that is not improving to see a dermatologist early.
For active pimples, Baum suggested hydrocolloid patches or spot treatments to help protect blemishes from picking, which she said can worsen dark marks and scarring. She also noted that hydrated skin tends to tolerate acne treatments better than skin that has been stripped too dry.
