Finding the right skincare routine for your acne-prone skin can be difficult, especially during the summer. We're either using moisturizers that are too heavy, not cleansing our skin from the sweat properly, or treating the wrong kind of acne. The only thing we're yearning for right now is healthy skin!
We asked Dr. Bertha Baum, a board-certified dermatologist, to tell us exactly what we need to do (and not to) to treat our poor sensitive skin this summer. Whether it's specific product recommendations or tips on how to spot different types of acne, she has us covered.
Don't expect overnight results, though. "Acne treatment is a marathon, not a sprint. Most people need six to twelve weeks of consistent use before they see meaningful improvement," she told E!. "Consistency is what produces results—not using the most products."
According to Dr. Baum, the first step to building a skincare routine that works for our acne is to understand that there isn't a single routine that works for everyone. She recommended identifying what type of acne you have and keeping it simple. In other words, don't go buying a whole bunch of products right away.
"There are many over-the-counter ingredients that work very well for different types of acne, but combining certain ingredients may not work and can irritate some skin types," she told E!. "One of the biggest mistakes I see in my practice is patients using five or six different acne products because they saw them on social media. More isn't always better."
Knowing which type of acne you have is essential. According to Dr. Baum, different types of acne respond to different treatments. For example, if you're mostly seeing blackheads and whiteheads, that's usually comedonal acne. That's treated with ingredients like salicylic acid and topical retinoids that can help keep pores clear.
"If your breakouts are red, swollen, or filled with pus, that's inflammatory acne," she explained. "Benzoyl peroxide products are particularly helpful because they reduce acne-causing bacteria while calming inflammation."
Lastly, for those who have large, painful bumps beneath the skin, breakouts that leave scars, or acne that's not clearing after several weeks of a consistent routine, she recommended seeing a board-certified dermatologist. "Early treatment can make a significant difference in preventing permanent scarring."
The key to a balanced skincare routine for acne-prone skin is to keep it simple and consistent. Dr. Baum recommended the morning and night routines to include only a cleanser, a treatment, a lightweight moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Cleanse with a gentle cleanser that has salicylic acid and some gentle exfoliation. Follow that up with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that supports the skin's moisture barrier. "Many people think moisturizer causes breakouts, but hydrated skin actually tolerates acne treatments much better," Dr. Baum told E!.
End the morning routine with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. "This is one step I never want patients to skip because acne often leaves behind dark marks, especially on Latinos and skin of color, and sun exposure can make those marks last much longer," she explained.
Have an active breakout? Hydrocolloid patches or spot treatments are recommended. "They help protect blemishes from picking, which is one of the biggest causes of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne scars that I see in my office."
Dr. Baum recommended Neutrogena's Evenly Clear Cleanser as our first step in this routine. "This one has 2% salicylic acid and 2% PHA exfoliant, which are ingredients that help clear breakouts and remove excess oil," she told E!.
Looking for something more prestige? This Sunday Riley cleanser has salicylic acid, fermented pear juice, and witch hazel to penetrate pores to break up congestion, gently exfoliate, soothe irritated skin, and manage oil production.
This moisturizer is formulated with niacinamide, resveratrol, tannic acid, ceramide NP, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, tea tree leaf water, and Centella asiatica leaf water to help improve blemishes and strengthen the moisture barrier.
Created by NYC's acne whisperer, this moisturizer features a lightweight gel texture and a formula of beta-blucan, allantoin, zinc, and copper PCA to soothe, hydrate, plump, and absorb excess oil.
This lightweight sunscreen features transparent Zinc Oxide and a broad-spectrum SPF 46 protection that helps protect normal and sensitive skin types from UVA and UVB damage without leaving a white cast.
Dr. Baum recommended the Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Patches, which are infused with Hydrocolloid in several different sizes to shrink the look of pimples practically overnight.
These K-Beauty patches promise not to dry your skin out while tackling your breakout and staying put with their one-ingredient formula of medical-grade hydrocolloid.
"For individual pimples, I recommend a product like the Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment. It contains benzoyl peroxide, which is one of the most effective over-the-counter ingredients for treating inflammatory acne by targeting acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation," Dr. Baum told E!.
Powered by 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide, this acne treatment promises to help prevent future breakouts and reduce the severity of four types of acne: blackheads, whiteheads, acne blemishes, and pimples.
Looking for more products for acne-prone skin? Shop the expert-approved products to treat your body acne!
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