The basics
An acne-prone routine can be just three or four steps: a gentle cleanser, one active, a non-comedogenic moisturiser and daily sunscreen. Introduce the active two or three nights a week and build up as your skin tolerates it. Most treatments need 8-12 weeks before you can judge them.
- 1Morning: gentle cleanser, non-comedogenic moisturiser, broad-spectrum SPF 30+
- 2Night: gentle cleanser, one active, moisturiser
- 3Start the active two or three nights a week and build up as your skin tolerates it
Common over-the-counter actives
The most common over-the-counter actives for acne are salicylic acid for blackheads and whiteheads, benzoyl peroxide for red, inflamed spots, adapalene or other retinoids to keep pores clear, and niacinamide for redness and oil. Use one at a time and patch-test first.
- Salicylic acid (BHA)
- Exfoliates inside pores; often used for blackheads and whiteheads
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Commonly used for red, inflamed spots; can bleach fabric
- Adapalene / retinoids
- Help keep pores clear over time; can cause dryness at first
- Niacinamide
- Gentle; often used for redness and oil
Use one at a time. Patch-test first, and stop if you get burning or peeling that does not settle.
Common mistakes
The most common acne mistakes are picking or squeezing spots, which raises the risk of marks, stacking several strong actives at once, skipping moisturiser and sunscreen because skin feels oily, and changing products every week before any has had time to work.
- Picking or squeezing spots, which raises the risk of marks
- Stacking several strong actives at once
- Skipping moisturiser and sunscreen because skin feels oily
- Changing products every week before any can work
Get a routine for your own skin
Saundarya AI is an AI skin analysis and grooming app that reads a single selfie and returns a personalised report: face shape, skin type, detected skin concerns with the visual evidence behind them, a morning and night skincare routine, product picks at three budgets, and an 8-week improvement plan.
Generic advice is a starting point. A scan reads breakouts, their severity and likely triggers on your own face, shows the visual evidence and a confidence score, and builds a morning and night routine around it. The first full analysis is free.
This is general cosmetic guidance, not medical advice. See a dermatologist for skin that is painful, spreading, scarring or not improving after 8-12 weeks.