How to Get Rid of Acne

Struggling with persistent acne can be overwhelming, especially when it disrupts your confidence and daily routine. To help you manage and cure it the right way, we have curated the best strategies to address the issue based on experience and science. This guide cuts through the clutter to give you precise, actionable steps to eliminate acne. You can also build a personalised skincare plan with this guide using accessible products from a trusted and reputable skincare store.

Understanding Acne

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that occurs when excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria clog hair follicles. In a more straightforward and understandable form, it happens when pores on your skin get blocked up and dead skin cells, bacteria, or excess oil get stuck in them.

There are various types of acne, including whiteheads, blackheads, painful cysts, and more, and each type follows a distinct formation pattern. Recognizing these differences can guide you to the right treatment strategy and determine the right skincare routine to follow.

What Causes Acne?

Several factors contribute to acne development. They include:

• Excess Oil Production: Sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which prevents your skin from drying and fights off some germs. When sebum is overproduced, the increased oil creates an environment where pores can become clogged.
• Clogged Hair Follicles: Dead skin cells accumulate and block the pores to set the stage for breakouts.
• Bacterial Growth: The buildup of bacteria, particularly Propionibacterium acnes, can trigger inflammation.
• Inflammation: Inflammatory responses increase existing breakouts, making them more noticeable and sometimes painful.
• Hormonal Fluctuations: Shifts in hormone levels, especially during adolescence or menstrual cycles, often intensify acne.

Other contributors include genetics, an imbalance in your skin’s microbiome, and environmental pollutants common in urban areas.

Prevention Strategies: How to Prevent Acne

Acne prevention is all about consistent, smart lifestyle choices that work with your skin. For Nigerians juggling busy schedules and urban challenges, you need strategic adjustments to drastically reduce flare-ups. Here’s how to go about that:

Daily skincare routine fundamentals

• Cleanse Wisely: In the morning and night, use a gentle, oil-free cleanser to remove excess oil and impurities. The best products suit your skin perfectly, especially in humid or polluted environments.
• Moisturize & Protect: A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer keeps the skin barrier intact. Remember to apply sunscreen daily to combat UV damage.

Diet Modifications To Impact Acne

• Embrace a Balanced Diet: Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins more. Reduce those foods that increase your blood sugar levels, like sugary snacks and white bread; they spike insulin levels and trigger inflammation.
• Hydration is Key: Make water a priority throughout the day. Staying well-hydrated supports skin health and helps flush out toxins that may contribute to acne.

Lifestyle Adjustments

• Sleep and Stress Management: A regular sleep schedule and stress reduction techniques (like moderate exercise, meditation, or a hobby) help balance hormones that influence acne.
• Digital Device Hygiene: Mobile phones and headphones accumulate bacteria from the environment that can be transferred to your skin and lead to breakouts. Consider wiping them down daily with alcohol-based cleaning wipes.

How to Treat Acne

Different options to treat acne include the following:

1. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments

OTC treatment components include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), all of which are included in popular acne-treatment products.

How they work:

• Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5–10%) penetrates pores to kill acne‑causing bacteria and reduce oil.
• Salicylic acid (0.5–2%) gently exfoliates dead skin cells and prevents clogged follicles.
• Products containing Alpha‑Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), such as glycolic and lactic acids, are perfect for improving cell turnover and fading post-acne marks.

Product picks by skin type:

1. If you have oily/combination skin, consider using a lightweight benzoyl peroxide gel or salicylic acid foaming wash. Examples of such products include Touch Acne Treatment Gel and Neutrogena On‑The‑Spot Acne Treatment.
2. Dry or sensitive skin types should opt for low-concentration AHA pads or cream-based salicylic acid serums. Examples of such products include Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid (7% Glycolic Acid) and CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream for Dry, Rough & Bumpy Skin.
3. Normal skin types require dual‑action cleansers that pair benzoyl peroxide with soothing botanicals. Replenix BP 10% Acne Wash + Aloe Vera is an example of such a product.

2. Prescription Medications

This treatment type is done only under a dermatologist’s guidance and delivers stronger results, but requires monitoring.

• Topical Retinoids like adapalene and tretinoin speed up skin renewal, prevent new blockages, and improve skin texture.
• Clindamycin and erythromycin (antibiotics) combined with benzoyl peroxide resist stubborn bacteria.
• Oral Antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline treat moderate to severe inflammatory acne; they are typically prescribed for 3–6 months.
• For hormonal causes and cases in women, acne can be treated by:
  • Using oral contraceptives to regulate hormones that fuel breakouts.
  • Using spironolactone to block excess androgen activity in the skin.

It is advisable to see a qualified dermatologist to give the best prescriptions based on your acne problems.

3. Professional In‑Clinic Treatments

Professional in-clinic treatments offer faster and longer-lasting results compared to the two treatment methods discussed earlier. These treatments include:

• Chemical Peels:
  • Light peels (salicylic or glycolic acid)
  • Medium peels (trichloroacetic acid).
• Light & Laser Therapy:
  • Blue light.
  • Fractional laser.
• Extractions:
  • Manual removal of whiteheads and blackheads under sterile conditions to prevent scarring.
• Microneedling for Scars:
  • Tiny needles induce collagen production, improving the appearance of pitted or rolling scars.

How to Create the Perfect Personalized Skincare Routine to Treat Acne

No two faces are the same, and your acne treatment shouldn’t be either. Generic acne guides won’t work, and the situation could get worse if your skin reacts to triggers aggressively. Here are seven focused steps to build a plan that fits your skin:

1. Identify Your Skin Type

Each skin type has different acne solutions and also responds differently to acne-fighting ingredients. To make your skincare routine more direct and specific, pinpoint whether your skin is oily, dry, combination, or sensitive.

2. Identify Your Acne Type and Triggers

Classify your acne: check if it’s mild comedones, inflamed pustules, or deeper nodules, and note the patterns in your breakouts. Acne falls into three main categories (mild, moderate, and severe) and may present itself differently on the face, back, or chest. After identifying your acne type, track personal triggers like diet, stress, or product changes that cause this acne.

3. Choose a Gentle, Non‑Comedogenic Cleanser

Use a gentle, non‑comedogenic cleanser twice daily to remove excess oil without stripping moisture. Overwashing can make acne worse by irritating the skin.

4. Integrate Targeted Treatments

After cleansing, apply a thin layer of an active treatment. Choose salicylic acid (a BHA) or benzoyl peroxide for mild‑to‑moderate acne, and use retinoids (like adapalene or tretinoin) gradually.

5. Hydrate with the Right Moisturizer

Lock in hydration with a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer containing ceramides or hyaluronic acid. This will support your skin barrier and counteract drying effects from active treatments.

6. Protect with Daily Sunscreen

Exposing your skin to the sun worsens inflammation and post-acne pigmentation. Therefore, finish your morning routine with a broad‑spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+ daily; this is especially important for darker skin tones.

7. Monitor, Adjust, and Seasonal‑Proof

Track your skin’s response over 6–8 weeks, adjusting product frequency or strength as needed. Swap in lighter formulations during humid, rainy seasons and richer creams in the dry harmattan months to maintain balance.

Conclusion

Consistency and patience are the perfect allies in your acne treatment journey. Most people begin to see clearer skin within 4 to 6 weeks of following a targeted routine and treatment plan. Addressing root triggers common in Nigerian environments—like humidity, pollution, and device hygiene—gives your skin the best chance to heal and stay clear.

If you are ready to make your move, shop expert‑recommended cleansers, serums, and treatments from the best skincare store near you. Take the first step toward acne‑free skin today.