Latest posts
-
Retinol vs Retinoids for Acne: Potency, Evidence and Irritation
Retinol is a weak cosmetic retinoid that skin must convert twice before it works, and it has little acne-specific evidence. For acne, adapalene (OTC 0.1%), tretinoin, tazarotene and trifarotene are strongly recommended by the 2024 AAD guideline. Avoid all retinoids in pregnancy.
-
Retinoid Purging: Is It Real, How Long It Lasts, and When to Stop
Retinoid purging is a real but loosely defined early acne flare. Adapalene and tretinoin labels say acne may look worse in the first weeks before improving. Irritation, rashes, spots in new areas, or no improvement by 3 months point to something else.
-
Niacinamide for Acne: What Small Trials Show and What to Expect
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) may modestly help acne by calming inflammation and reducing oil, and it’s gentle on the skin barrier. But the trials are small and short, and it isn’t among the 2024 AAD guideline’s recommended treatments, so use it alongside proven actives, not instead of them.
-
Moisturizer and Sunscreen for Acne: What the Evidence Says
Yes, use both. Moisturizer doesn’t treat acne, but small randomized trials show it helps people tolerate and stick with treatments like adapalene. Sunscreen is essential with retinoids and benzoyl peroxide and helps dark marks fade. Choose oil-free, non-comedogenic products and broad-spectrum SPF 30+.
-
Maskne and Acne Mechanica: Friction Breakouts and Prevention
Maskne is acne mechanica from face masks: friction, pressure, heat and trapped sweat clog pores where gear touches skin. Prevent it with a well-fitting cotton-lined mask, breaks, clean masks and gentle skin care; treat persistent spots with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or adapalene.
-
How to Start Adapalene: A Week-by-Week Plan to Avoid Irritation
Start adapalene with a pea-sized amount for your whole face on clean, dry skin at night. If you’re sensitive, begin every second or third night and build to once daily. Moisturize, wear sunscreen, and allow up to 3 months. Ask a doctor first if pregnant.
-
How Long Acne Treatments Take to Work: A Realistic Timeline
Most acne treatments need 6 to 12 weeks of daily use to judge. Benzoyl peroxide often shows effects in 4 to 6 weeks, adapalene can take up to 3 months, spironolactone did best at 24 weeks in a large trial, and isotretinoin courses usually run 15 to 20 weeks.
-
Hormonal Acne in Adults: Causes, PCOS Signs and Treatments
Hormonal acne in adults usually means acne in women that flares with the cycle and favours the jaw and chin. Most have normal hormone levels. Topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide come first; spironolactone, combined pills or clascoterone are evidence-backed options to discuss with a clinician.
-
Fungal Acne: How to Tell Malassezia Folliculitis From Acne
Fungal acne is Malassezia (Pityrosporum) folliculitis, a yeast overgrowth in hair follicles, not true acne. It causes itchy, uniform small bumps without blackheads, mainly on the chest, back and shoulders. Antibiotics don’t help and can worsen it; antifungal treatment does, but relapse is common.
-
Diet and Acne: What Studies Say About Sugar, Dairy and Chocolate
Diet may play a modest role in acne, but no diet clears it alone. Small trials link high-glycemic-load eating to more breakouts, observational studies link milk (especially skim) to acne, and chocolate and whey evidence is weak. The 2024 AAD guideline found too little evidence to recommend dietary changes.