Blemishes

Even the most radiant among us aren’t exempt from the shifts in hormones, inadvertent clogged pores, and genetic predispositions that set the stage for occasional acne. Whether you have a single blemish or are looking at a constellation, a spot treatment can help—delivering potent skin-clearing ingredients directly to the zit in question. “The goal for an acne spot treatment is to reduce damage by shortening the duration of the lesion and reducing the risk for long-term effects, such as discoloration or scarring,” says dermatologist Terrence Keaney, M.D., based in Alexandria, Virginia. The precision-minded approach means that the rest of your skin avoids contact with the strategic cocktail of ingredients, thereby sidestepping unnecessary irritation. Getting the best results from your spot treatment can be a matter of timing—namely, the earlier you use it, the better. “If you can apply a spot treatment at the first sign of a blemish, the ingredients can sometimes penetrate deep enough to minimize the growth of that breakout,” says Los Angeles aesthetician Cynthia Franco, who counts Salma Hayek and The Weeknd among her clients. Salicylic acid is often (though not always) the headliner in these formulas; it’s an oil-soluble ingredient unique in its ability to penetrate the clogged pore while gently exfoliating at the surface. “However, it needs to be combined with a hydrating ingredient so it does not dry out the skin,” adds Keaney. He recommends seeking out ingredients that ...

Overview Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages. Effective acne treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one begins to go away, others seem to crop up. Cystic acne Cystic acne — the most severe form of acne — occurs when oil and dead skin cells build up deep within hair follicles. The resulting rupture within your skin may form boil-like inflammation. Acne signs vary depending on the severity of your condition: • Whiteheads (closed plugged pores) • Blackheads (open plugged pores) • Small red, tender bumps (papules) • Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips • Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules) • Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions) Acne usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. When to see a doctor If self-care remedies don't clear your acne, see your primary care doctor. He or she can prescribe stronger medications. If acne persists or is severe, you may want to seek medical treatment from a doctor who specializes in the skin (dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist). For many women, acne can persist for decades, with flares common a week before menstruation. This type of acne tends to clear up without treatment in women who use contraceptives....

Whether you're dealing with a dark mark left behind by a blemish, spots that indicate sun damage, or hormone-induced melasma, these typically unwanted changes in the skin all fall under the umbrella of hyperpigmentation. Caused by the cells responsible for your skin's color, melanocytes, depositing "In general, hyperpigmentation is tough to treat and a chronic condition," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Allure, noting that he explains to his patients that it must be taken seriously because it's so easy for it to recur. Although some patients choose to undergo are ways to combat discoloration and uneven skin tone without often-expensive That's where these over-the-counter options come in. Often made with the same active ingredients that dermatologists use in prescription compounds, these serums and creams contribute to more even-toned skin and reduced hyperpigmentation with consistent use. "When targeting hyperpigmentation, you want to use multiple ingredients that have different functions," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist But there is something else dermatologists recommend across the board to get dark spots under control: Got your sunscreen checked off? Good. Here are some of the best dark spot correctors and hyperpigmentation-fading products to pair with it. Just ensure that you're consistent with using these skin-brightening products — every day, folks — and you'll see amazing (but gradual) results in as little as a month. True to its...

Any kind of Just make sure that your honey of choice is labeled as “raw.” Raw honey may also be labeled as: • natural • unheated • unprocessed Honey that isn’t raw loses its antibacterial properties during the processing phase. Maybe you’ve heard that Manuka honey is the best for acne healing. While not widely studied, there’s It’s thought that Manuka honey is still able to produce these properties even when hydrogen peroxide activity is blocked. Honey’s main antibacterial effects may have to do with its high content of glucuronic acid, which gets converted to glucose oxidase. On the skin, this oxidase is immediately converted to hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide functions similarly to other acne treatments, such as Honey’s calming properties may stem from the combination of: • peptides • antioxidants • vitamin B • fatty acids • amino acids When applied to the face, these components can have a soothing effect and help reduce redness. There’s some research, but there isn’t enough to support honey as an overall solution for acne. Most of the available Professionals have used honey to soothe a variety of wounds, including: • boils • burns • pilonidal sinus • venous and The available • lip balm • hydrating lotion • hair conditioner • fine line treatments One You can apply the honey as a spot treatment to individual blemishes with a clean Q-tip. If you want to DIY If you’re aiming to soothe a large area of skin, you can certainly apply the honey as an all-over Just remember ...

Welcome! Diseases & conditions • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Featured Natalie tried many acne products without success. Find out how a board-certified dermatologist helped Natalie see clear skin before her wedding. JAK inhibitors are helping patients with alopecia areata, eczema/atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Here’s what you need to know. Everyday care • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Featured Everyone's at risk for skin cancer. These dermatologists' tips tell you how to protect your skin. Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief. Darker Skin Tones • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Featured Find out why dark spots appear and what can fade them. If you have what feels like razor bumps or acne on the back of your neck or scalp, you may have acne keloidalis nuchae. Find out what can help. Cosmetic treatments • • • • • • • Featured You can expect permanent results in all but one area. Do you know which one? If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment. It can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines, but the results aren’t permanent. Here’s how long botox tends to last. Public health programs • • • • • • • • • • • Featured Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer. Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions,...

Skin disorders, such as acne and eczema, vary greatly in symptoms and severity. They can be temporary or permanent and may be painless or painful. Some can be life threatening. Some skin disorders have situational causes, while others may be genetic. While most skin disorders are minor, others can indicate a more serious issue. Contact a doctor if you believe you may have one of these common skin problems. Acne • Acne is commonly • Breakouts on the skin are composed of redness, blackheads, • This condition may leave • People of Color Cold sore • This condition causes a red, painful, fluid-filled blister that appears near the mouth and lips. People with lighter skin may notice more redness than those with darker skin. • The affected area tingle or burn before the sore is visible. • Outbreaks may also be accompanied by mild, flu-like symptoms such as low fever, body aches, and • Cold sores usually look similar on any skin color but can also cause PIH in people with darker skin. Learn more about Blister • Blisters are characterized by a watery, clear, fluid-filled area on the skin. • They may be smaller than • Blisters can be found anywhere on the body. Hives • This causes itchy, raised welts • Welts may be warm and mildly painful to the touch. • • They can be small, round, ring-shaped, or randomly shaped. Actinic keratosis • This condition causes a thick, scaly, or . • It’s typically • It often appears on parts of the body that receive a lot of sun exposure, such as the hand...

A lot goes into choosing the right acne cream, and it might take a little trial and error to find what works best for you. We spoke to skin care experts to get tips for choosing the best of the best acne treatments out there. Ingredients According to benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid. In addition to these, retinoids and tea tree oil. And NYC-based dermatologist clay to the list. We made sure to include all these ingredients on our list, since they all have different strengths and use cases (more on that below). Reviews We looked to reviews from real people to make sure they got the results they wanted. Vetted products We put all products through a thorough vetting process to check for unsupported health claims, shady business practices, and lawsuits concerning a company’s products. We also make sure that the key ingredients in each product actually do what the company says they do, so you’re not wasting your money. Share on Pinterest • Price: $$$ • Active ingredient: benzoyl peroxide • Other ingredients: tea tree oil, green tea extract, pine bark extract, red tea extract, grapeseed extract • How to use: Apply to affected area 1–3 times daily. This spot treatment is Dorantes’ favorite. She loves that it contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxide, which she says is the max strength you can get without a prescription. She also loves that it contains natural skin-soothing antioxidants like tea tree oil — one of our fave The reviews are excellent — especially from Share on ...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Butt it still happens: baby got “buttne.” But what exactly is butt acne? Turns out — most of the time — it isn’t really acne at all. We talked to dermatology specialist Lauren Zamborsky, CNP, to find out what conditions cause pimple-esque blemishes on your behind, how to treat them and how to keep them from coming back. What is butt acne, really? The three most common causes of so-called butt acne aren’t acne. Folliculitis, keratosis pilaris and boils (or, if there are multiple, carbuncles) are more common. In fact, you may have more than one of these conditions! Folliculitis When it comes to rump bumps, the most common culprit is That taphylococcus aureus), a fungal infection (for example, a yeast infection of the skin) or even a mite. People who have compromised immune systems ( Depending on what’s causing the condition and the scope of the problem, folliculitis’ appearance can differ. In some cases, folliculitis causes a single, pimple-like pustule to form. In other cases, it more closely resembles a rash. Keratosis pilaris Unlike folliculitis, which can make itself at home pretty much anywhere you’ve got hair, • The back of your arms. • The outside of your thighs. • The back of your thighs • You guessed it: your butt. It’s also commonly found on children’s faces. “Keratosis pilaris happens when keratin...