10 Acne Treatments for Teens

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the two most common over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments.

Salicylic acid is commonly found in body washes, face washes, and astringents. You can sometimes find it in moisturizers, too.

The purpose of salicylic acid is to get rid of the dead skin cells that can lead to noninflammatory acne — again, these include whiteheads and blackheads.

On the other hand, benzoyl peroxide is a stronger treatment for more severe breakouts, including inflammatory acne lesions. Not only does it dry up dead skin cells, but it can also help fight excess sebum and kill acne-causing bacteria.

For the occasional acne cyst, nodule, or pustule, a spot-treatment containing 2–5% benzoyl peroxide can do the trick.

If you have frequent, widespread inflammatory acne breakouts, you may consider using a face wash or a lotion with up to 10% benzoyl peroxide. Speak with a skin care professional to find the best product for your skin.

Since benzoyl peroxide is a strong ingredient, it can make your skin red and irritated at first. You may want to use these products once a day to start and then gradually apply up to two times daily.

Also, take care around clothing and colored hair, as benzoyl peroxide is known to stain.

Inflammatory acne that’s common during your teen years may also be treated with retinoids. These are types of vitamin A derivatives that unplug clogged oil ducts to prevent cysts and nodules.

Retinoids may be your next step if benzoyl peroxide doesn’t do the trick.

You’ll likely need to see a dermatologist for retinoids for acne, as most of these are available via prescription. Topical retinoids are the first choice. These come in the form of gels and creams that you apply up to twice a day.

Examples include Differin gel and Retin-A. Differin gel 0.1% is available OTC, and Retin-A requires a prescription.

You’ll need to be extremely cautious with sun exposure, as vitamin A can increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays.

Isotretinoin (formerly Accutane) is a type of retinoid that comes in a pill you take every day. This is much stronger than topical retinoids, so your dermatologist will prescribe it as a last resort.

If you were assigned female at birth, your doctor might request a pregnancy test before prescribing isotretinoin due to its severe fetal side effects and request pregnancy tests throughout treatment.

You may also need a consent form from your parents that acknowledges other possible side effects, including depression.

Antibiotics can sometimes be helpful in occasional doses to help eliminate inflammatory acne caused by the P. acnes bacterium. These can come in topical creams or gels that you apply for a certain number of days, as well as oral antibiotics.

It’s important not to overuse oral antibiotics, or else your body can build up a resistance to them. See your dermatologist for advice on whether your current breakout warrants antibiotic treatment.

While you wait for your acne treatments to kick in, the waiting game can be frustrating. However, don’t give into the temptation to pick your skin or pop your pimples. Doing so can cause permanent scars and inflammation.

Popping cysts and other deep pimples can also cause bacteria to get pushed into the skin even further, inadvertently leading to even more pimples.

As hard as it is, your best long-term approach is to be patient as your acne treatments do the work for you.

Noncomedogenic facial products are a must for acne-prone skin. These include face washes, moisturizers, and sunscreen, as well as any makeup you might wear.

The term “noncomedogenic” means that the products won’t clog your pores, and a product label will clearly state this if this is the case. If it doesn’t, then it means that it’s comedogenic.

You know that washing your skin is important in your overall acne care plan, but the frequency and technique are just as important.

Twice a day is plenty. You may have to wash your face really quick in the middle of the day after gym class if you get sweaty, but overdoing it can dry out your skin and lead to more breakouts.

After washing your skin, pat your skin gently with a clean towel. Rubbing it will irritate your skin and any pimples you have.

Warm water is also most effective in cleansing your skin. Hot water is too drying, while very cold water doesn’t do enough to help cleanse your skin properly.

Aside from morning and night washes, weekly exfoliation can also help keep acne breakouts at bay. A mud mask is ideal for all types of acne, as it helps unclog your pores and get rid of dead skin cells.

You may also consider gentle exfoliating treatments containing salicylic acid or alpha-hydroxy acids for the same effect.

While you might feel wary about applying more products to your skin, sunscreen is an absolute must. Not only does it help protect your skin from sun damage and cancer, but sunscreen may even help prevent acne that’s sometimes caused by sunburns.

It’s especially important to wear sunscreen if you’re using retinoids to treat your acne, as your skin will be more susceptible to burns.

Look for products with SPF 30 or higher and with broad-spectrum protection.

Look for a product labeled “noncomedogenic” and “oil-free.” You can even find a 2-to-1 moisturizer or foundation products with sunscreen already in them to save time.

Trying to hide your acne behind bandages or tight clothing can be tempting. However, this can actually aggravate acne by further trapping oils and bacteria into your skin.

Loose, cotton clothing is your best bet for acne. It’s also helpful to shower immediately after sports and other forms of exercise so you can keep your pores as clean as possible.

A final consideration is your diet. Between school, extracurricular activities, work, and your social life, eating right all the time can be challenging. You may have also heard that foods don’t cause acne.

The truth is, though, that certain foods may contribute to acne breakouts. The greatest culprits are dairy, high glycemic foods, and processed items.

Drinking water may also play a part in maintaining acne-free skin: A 2015 study showed that increasing daily water intake could help keep skin hydrated so that you don’t accumulate dead skin cells.

Acne can be challenging, so finding the right support is important. As a parent, you can also be mindful of how you support your teen as they deal with acne.

Tips for parents

If your teen is dealing with severe acne, it’s important to take their concerns seriously and offer all the support you can. Avoid shrugging off their concerns and telling them that everyone gets acne. Instead, let them know that you’re there for them.

You can also help by reducing stress in your teen’s life, which can also contribute to acne. Look for signs of depression, and let your teen meet with the dermatologist alone if they’re more comfortable doing so.

Tips for teens

Severe acne can feel isolating and affect your confidence. It’s important to reach out to others who understand what you’re going through — you’re definitely not alone.

Aside from your parents and dermatologist, you can find others your age via online support groups, such as forums on acne.org.

Acne is a regular part of life. This is especially true as a teenager, when you’re dealing with hormonal fluctuations that can further trigger breakouts.

Still, acne is treatable with the right skin care ingredients and routines. A dermatologist can also recommend stronger treatments if OTC methods fail to clear up stubborn breakouts.

If you’re feeling sad or isolated over your acne, it’s even more critical to reach out for support. Your parents, dermatologist, or online support groups are a good start. You might also consider talking with your parents about talk therapy with a mental health professional.

It’s also important to remember that acne does tend to get better as you get older. When you have healthy skin care and lifestyle habits, too, you’re off to an even clearer path in your future.