Treatment for Mild to Moderate Acne

AM

• Wash your face gently with a mild soap or gentle cleanser, rinse and pat dry.
• Apply a benzoyl peroxide-containing product (e.g. Clean & Clear persa-gel available OTC, Benzamycin by prescription) all over, where ever you get acne.
• Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer with a sunscreen (at least SPF 30).

PM

• Wash your face gently to remove the day's oils and makeup.
• Apply a retinoid, (e.g. Differin Acne Treatment Gel OTC; adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene by prescription) all over, where ever you get acne.
  
• Apply a moisturier if needed.

Diet

All of the following have been associated with acne flares and should be minimized: milk (especially skim milk), ice cream, chocolate, sugary drinks, all sweets (anything high glycemic), whey protein, and cannabis.

Other Key Points

• Don't pick! That often messes up the color of the skin and causes more scarring than the acne itself.
  
• Don't spot treat. Instead, put the medication all over, whereever you get acne. The goal is to prevent acne and maintain clear skin.
• Make sure anything you put on your face is okay for acne-prone skin. Look for that term "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic."
  
• For acne along the hairline, cut back on hair conditioners and don't use 2-in-1 (combined) shampoo and conditioners as these products are notorious for causing this problem.
• Keep using the medication, even when you are better.
• Be patient. Give any acne regimen about 2 months to work.
• For more severe acne, pills such as doxycycline or accutane may be indicated.
• For women, a pill called spironolactone or BCPs can be very helpful.
• If you are having side effects from any of the medication and feel you can't use them, please let your doctor know as there are a variety of alternatives.
• Using a mild soap, e.g. Dove, is absolutely fine, but if you prefer, a gentle cleanser e.g. CeraVe Face Wash Acne Treatment, or Cetaphil Face Wash is great as well.
• Benzoyl peroxide (BP) is available OTC and is excellent for all types of acne. Focus on the 2.5-5% but 10% may be fine if you have extra oily skin. Clean & Clear persa-gel 10 by Johnson & Johnson is a good product. Neutrogena and PanOxyl are also good brands. All BP products should be protected from heat to prevent benzene production.
• BP washes are an alternative but are not as effective as leave-on BP. They may be considered in cases where irritation is a problem or the acne is widespread (e.g. on the trunk) and the wash is more convenient.
• Recommended non-comedogenic moisturizers with a sunscreen (for the AM) include CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 sunscreen, Peach Slices Acne Oil-Free Moisturizer, and EltaMD UV Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40. For night time moisturizers (no sunscreen) consider e.g CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.
• You were probably given a retinoid by prescription, but adapalene is over the counter and is excellent as well, e.g. Differin Acne Treatment Gel. With any retinoid, start out small and work up from there to avoid undue irritation. Some people experience excessive burning initially. If this occurs, switch to every other night and increase as tolerated.