Acne can be a challenging condition to treat and the causes of acne are commonly thought to be multifactorial, so by no means is this post meant to come across as 3 easy tips to clear up your acne. Mild acne may be dealt with by over the counter skincare products but moderate to severe acne should generally be seen by a doctor, and while there are many treatment options available it can take time to see results. So here are some practical tips for those dealing with acne. While I like to remind people that acne is not the result of dirty skin and overwashing can be counter-productive, it is important to wash your face at night to remove any oil, makeup etc. You may also want to try using a cleanser designed for oily skin (e.g. a foaming cleanser) or one with active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, that can help with acne. Second tip is to use a topical retinoid, which may be an over the counter retinol or retinal, or something by prescription. Finding the product that is right for you will depend on your skin and the severity of your acne, but this class of ingredients can be tremendously beneficial to not only improving acne but helping with pigmentation and fine lines as well. Retinoids are generally regarded as a holy grail ingredient and with good reason. Third tip, and perhaps the most important, is that if you aren’t seeing results from over the counter acne treatments please see a doctor sooner rather than later. There are many prescription treatment options available that can be considered, including prescription creams, antibiotics, hormonal treatments including oral contraceptives and spironolactone, as well as isotretinoin (commonly known as Accutane). #drkatiebeleznay #dermatologist #instaskincare #skinstagram #acne #acneskin #acnetips