What Do You Do When Blemishes Just Won’t Clear?

Whether you’re male, female, 16 years old or 60 years old, fluctuations in hormone production can lead to acne breakouts. In fact, acne is considered a hormonal skin disorder. It’s ultimately hormones that control the glands in the skin that produce oil, and when those glands overproduce oil, it creates a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

Is there any real available treatment for a skin condition that’s so unrelenting? Yes. Exfoliating treatments for acne that were once reserved for a doctor’s visit are making their way to beauty shelves. Here’s the top exfoliation treatments for acne that yield results on all the stages of acne, from maskne to hormonal/cyclical acne.

Retinoids
Retinoids have long been synonymous with anti-ageing treatments, but they got their start as an FDA-approved prescription acne treatment over 40 years ago. Retinoids have long-been the dermatologist’s choice for stubborn, persistent and chronic acne conditions because they help resurface the skin. This helps accelerate cell turnover and sweep away dead surface cells that could clog pores (a known acne-trigger). And, using retinoids with chemical exfoliants can provide even more skin-smoothing effects.

Chemical exfoliating treatments for acne
Chemical exfoliants can work individually or together to clear and prevent acne. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that removes dull surface cells to smooth and clarify. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that treats acne to promote clearer pores and minimise blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.

What about skin purging?
Skin purging is when your skin cell turnover rate is accelerated by a product or ingredient, like retinoid. It is possible that your skin will go through a 5- to 10-day purging period as skin is under this accelerated turnover process. But this isn’t out of the ordinary. As frustrating as purging is, remember: once the purge passes, you’re positioned to begin the true treatment phase to keep skin clear, smooth, and refined.