Teen Acne: A Practical Checklist
Teen Acne: what is worth doing, what is worth avoiding, and when to stop and see a doctor.
Clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads and pimples that become common in the teen years as hormones increase oil production. Acne affects most teens, can leave scars and dark spots, and can take a real toll on self-esteem, and effective treatments are available.
Key takeaways
- Over-the-counter options: benzoyl peroxide, adapalene 0.1% gel and salicylic acid
- Time to see results: usually 6 to 8 weeks of daily use
- Most useful single change: Use one treatment consistently for 6 to 8 weeks before deciding it does not work.
- Commonest mistake: Picking, squeezing or popping pimples, which raises the risk of scars.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Do
- Use one treatment consistently for 6 to 8 weeks before deciding it does not work
- Choose products labeled "non-comedogenic" or "won't clog pores"
- Use a moisturizer and daily sunscreen, since some acne treatments dry the skin
- Wash pillowcases, hats and sports headbands regularly
- See a doctor or dermatologist if over-the-counter products are not helping
Do not
- Picking, squeezing or popping pimples, which raises the risk of scars
- Scrubbing hard or using harsh products
- Switching treatments every few days
The numbers behind the list
The list is built from the numbers below, which come from the bodies cited at the end.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Over-the-counter options | benzoyl peroxide, adapalene 0.1% gel and salicylic acid |
| Time to see results | usually 6 to 8 weeks of daily use |
| Washing | twice a day and after sweating, with a gentle cleanser |
| Severe acne medicine isotretinoin | requires a monitoring program because it causes serious birth defects |
If you change one thing
Use one treatment consistently for 6 to 8 weeks before deciding it does not work. That one first, and the others when you get to them.
Related topics
- Acne: What Published Guidance Supports (Skin Health)
- The Evidence on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Without the Hype (Thyroid and Hormones)
- What the Guidance Really Says About Male Pattern Hair Loss (Men's Health)
- Ear Wax: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Hearing Health)
Where to go next
- A Q and A on Teen Acne
- Teen Acne: Just the Figures
- Teen Acne — the reference entry
- Teen Health: The Complete Guide
- Vaping and Teens: What the Evidence Actually Says
- Teen Mental Health and 988: What Published Guidance Supports
When to speak to a doctor
See your doctor or a dermatologist for deep, painful lumps or cysts, scarring, acne that does not improve after a few months of treatment, or acne that is affecting mood or confidence. Call 911 for a severe allergic reaction to a skin product, such as swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing, and call or text 988 for thoughts of self-harm.
Where this comes from
- American Academy of Dermatology — Acne: Tips for Managing
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases — Acne
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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