Acne & Blemishes

Salicylic acid for clogged pores, blackheads and general congestion. Benzoyl peroxide for inflamed, painful spots. They can be used in the same routine but not in the same layer, and if your skin is dry or sensitive, start with salicylic acid only.

They work well on a whitehead that's already surfaced or a popped spot that's healing. They don't do much for a deep cystic bump with nothing visible on the surface — that needs a different approach.

Either you're treating them with acne products, or you're not wearing sunscreen. Those are the two reasons in the overwhelming majority of cases.

Yes. It's well tolerated alongside acids and helps with oil control as well as marks.

Four to six weeks for active breakouts, and often three months for the marks. Skin cycles slowly, and switching products every two weeks is why people never find out whether something worked.

If you have deep, painful cysts, if the acne is scarring, or if nothing has changed after a few consistent months. Those cases need prescription treatment, and waiting it out with cleansers costs you skin that doesn't come back.