I have acne and open pores. How to manage them?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have mild to moderate acne mainly on my cheeks and jawline, with tiny acne-like bumps and a few active pimples, along with many dark marks left from previous breakouts.

I also notice visibly open pores and facial tanning or uneven skin tone in the affected areas. The skin texture is slightly uneven, but there are no deep scars, cysts, discharge, or signs of infection.

Some acne do not heal and make the skin reddish and are filled with whitish liquid. Can you give me the skincare routine that can help me?

Please suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can completely understand your concern.

Based on your given description, you are having mild to moderate acne with texture and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is usually treatable with the right products.

In the morning, use a gentle cleanser containing niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, followed by a non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Use a sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) 50 in the morning and afternoon to avoid further pigmentation. To manage active acne, apply a pea-sized amount of Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel at bedtime. This will help with marks as well.

If your skin feels a little dry, you can use a moisturizer afterwards. Use this regimen for three to four weeks, and you will notice considerable improvement in acne.

Once acne settles, I will guide you to use some safe depigmentation agents, as these can irritate active acne, like azelaic acid, MAP (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate), or kojic acid.

If you want details or specific products in your country, feel free to tell me which area so that I can list products specific to that.

You have audio, chat, and video consultation options available on this iCliniq. You can choose any of those, and I would be happy to guide you.

I hope you find this helpful.

Feel free to reach out to me anytime. I am here to help you.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you so much for specifying your skincare regimen. The gel cleanser you are using currently is a good cleanser for acne-prone combination to oily skin; your sunscreen is also great.

As far as glycolic acid and azelaic acid are concerned, both are good acids and are used for pigmentation; their strength matters, whether five percent or 20 %.

In my opinion, try using adapalene gel pea-sized amount or retinoid acid thrice a week on nights off at night and continue azelaic acid the remaining even nights.

Retinols and their derivatives, like Adapalene, help with skin texture, pores, acne, and anti-aging.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.