Treating acne: gentle and consistent wins

It is tempting to scrub, dry out and over-treat breakouts. That usually damages the skin barrier and makes acne and redness worse.

What helps

• A gentle cleanser with salicylic acid (BHA), twice a day.
• One targeted treatment — for example niacinamide, a salicylic-acid gel, or a retinoid at night. Not all at once.
• A light, non-comedogenic moisturiser to keep skin calm.
• Sunscreen, so post-acne marks fade instead of darkening.

What to avoid

Picking or squeezing (it causes marks and scars), rough scrubs, and switching products every week.

Pharmacist tip: hydrocolloid patches protect a spot from fingers overnight. If acne is painful, deep or leaving scars, see a dermatologist.

General advice only — not a medical diagnosis. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication, check with your doctor.