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Drugstore products that can help manage acne

No one needs to navigate a breakout by themselves. Products from a local pharmacy can be the first stop on the road to clearer skin.

Published: August 30, 2023 |7 minute read

Written by: Deanna Pai

Young woman with clear skin smiling as she looks out the window.

It can be frustrating to wake up in the morning and smile in the mirror only to see a pimple staring right back. If only it were possible to wish them away. Alas, acne can be stubborn to manage, partly because some of the things that cause a breakout (like genetics and hormones) are out of a person's control.

The good news? There are plenty of tratamiento para el acné products that can help. It may take a little trial and error, because what works for one person might not work for someone else. But a trip down the pharmacy aisles can supply everything that's needed for a personalized acne response.

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¿Cuáles son las causas del acné?

Acne can show up in different ways, but the cause is always the same: hair follicles getting blocked by natural oils and dead skin cells.1

“The process is known as hyperkeratinization,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine.2 A lot of things can cause clogged pores, she notes. One is increased production of sebum - an oily substance that plays a part in lubricating and protecting skin.3 Certain bacteria on the skin can also contribute to acne.4

Some causes of acne are less visible to the naked eye. Foods that are rich in carbohydrates, for example, can make acne worse.5 And genetics play a role in about 80 percent of cases.6 Hormones can also contribute to acne, which explains why acne can flare up during puberty and around the menstrual cycle. "Increased oil production may occur as a result of hormonal shifts," says Dr. Garshick.

Some medical conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome,7 can contribute to acne as well. So, it's important to talk to a physician before starting a new skin care routine.

Face wash for acne

Face washes are meant to deep clean your skin right down to the pores.8 But not every face wash is right for every skin type - or every task. Some formulas offer different active ingredients that can help target specific concerns. Humectants, for instance, can help with hydration, and exfoliants can remove a layer of dull, dead skin cells.

For a limpiador facial to help with acne, shoppers should look for one that includes the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. "Benzoyl peroxide helps to fight acne-causing bacteria, while salicylic acid works to unclog the pores and reduce oil," says Dr. Garshick.

One product with benzoyl peroxide is PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash, and face washes with salicylic acid include La Roche-Posay Effaclar Acne Face Cleanser y Bioré Charcoal Acne Face Wash.

Drugstore toner for acne-prone skin

Tónicos are products that get used right after a cleanser.9 They gently cleanse the skin and prepare it for the next step, which is often moisturizing. Drugstore toners have come a long way from the alcohol-fueled formulas of the past. Alcohol-free versions can be filled with soothing ingredients, hydrating skin and preparing it for the rest of your routine - or, for people with acne, they can deliver an extra dose of active ingredients.

“For acne, salicylic acid is the best,” says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City.10 "The maximum over-the-counter strength is two percent, and it's lipophilic." That means it attaches to oils and can carry them away. You can also use benzoyl peroxide here, he explains, but it's less common.

One toner with salicylic acid is La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner. Other toners, such as CeraVe Alcohol Free Hydrating Face Toner, cleanse and hydrate, and some, such as Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner with Aloe Vera, have antibacterial effects.

Drugstore acne spot treatments

When a lone pimple appears, an acne spot treatment may be the way to go. These targeted tools are intended to be dabbed onto individual zits, where they use concentrated ingredients to address swelling, redness and the clog causing the zit in question. (For more serious cases of acne, "People should treat the whole face," says Dr. Kim.)

He recommends looking for ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Sulfur can be helpful, too. It has a drying effect on certain types of acne, such as those with a white or yellow tip.11 In many cases, acne spot treatments may include skin-soothing ingredients to prevent the product from creating dryness or irritation around the zit in question.

Two products with benzoyl peroxide are La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo - Tratamiento de doble acción para el acné y Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel, and one with salicylic acid is Clean & Clear Advantage - Kit de tratamiento para manchas de acné.

How moisturizers work for acne-prone skin

The best moisturizer for acne-prone skin is typically oil-free and labeled "noncomedogenic," which means it won't clog pores. "Some ingredients may include niacinamide, which has an anti-inflammatory and redness-reducing effect, or ceramides, which work to support the skin barrier," says Dr. Garshick.

Calming ingredients can also be helpful, explains Dr. Kim. He recommends centella asiatica, green tea extract, chamomile and calendula. That's because some acne-fighting ingredients can leave skin feeling dry. What to avoid? Thick or rich moisturizers. Rather than help matters, these "will further exacerbate acne," he says.

For a moisturizer with niacinamide, look at CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. And two moisturizers that come with doses of salicylic acid are Aveeno Clear Complexion Acne-Fighting Moisturizer y Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer.

Drugstore products for acne scars

All acne scars aren't created equal. "Acne scars may appear as raised or hypertrophic scars, depressed or atrophic scars, or as different types of discoloration, such as a red or brown mark," says Dr. Garshick.

Raised and depressed scars involve an actual change in the structure of your skin - think an indentation or bump. Those can be hard to treat with topical products alone, explains Dr. Kim. He notes that some acne scar treatment is best left to dermatologists.

That said, “different retinoids, such as adapalene or retinol, can be found at the drugstore and can help to improve the appearance of scarring by helping to even out skin tone and improve skin texture,” says Dr. Garshick.

As for the dark spots that occur after a breakout (also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid might help. So could those that target discoloration of the skin, such as vitamin C and niacinamide.

One retinoid product for people with acne is Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment. Another retinol product is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Face Serum. For glycolic acid, try L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Face Serum.

Pimple patches for acne

Newer to the scene are pimple patches, also called hydrocolloid patches. Hydrocolloid is a material typically used to help wounds heal.12 These products are for pimples at the surface of the skin (versus cysts, which lie deeper beneath the skin). A hydrocolloid patch is "best for when [the pimple is] getting bigger and about to pop," says Dr. Kim. "It prevents people from popping it and helps dry out the nodule once it pops."

While the small, circular patches are ideal for stand-alone zits, they now come as bandages or large strips, which can offer coverage for multiple pimples.

For a range of shapes and sizes, look at Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Face, CVS Health® Waterproof Hydrocolloid Blemish Patches y Welly Travel Size Biggie Face Saver Hydrocolloid Spot Bandages

Bottom line? Acne doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. But incorporating the right drugstore products may help deliver clearer skin - without breaking the bank.

*Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult with your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.