Acne affects 80 percent of Americans some time in their lives and we spend more than $11 billion a year on over-the-counter solutions. While nothing can replace a customized treatment plan with a board-certified dermatologist, there are many at-home solutions that help keep breakouts at bay. Bloomfield Hills, MI dermatologist Linda C. Honet, MD says mild cleansing and products with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic and glycolic acids are the typical go-to OTC at-home solutions.
New devices with blue light are also useful says Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD. With controlled doses from professional devices, blue light therapy can be very helpful for those with acne-prone skin. “If you are unable to tolerate antibiotics or vitamin A products like Accutane to treat breakouts, LED therapy with blue light is a great alternative.”
“Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum and whether that is triggered by hormones or other factors like stress, weather, medications or cosmetics, you’ll want to target that excess oil production in order to achieve clearer skin,” says New York dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD. Here, the latest at-home solutions for minimizing acne breakouts and preventing new ones from popping up.
