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Discovering the best skincare routine is a never-ending task. Add to it acne prone skin that demands finding the right face cleanser for acne and a skincare routine that focuses on how to get rid of pimples – in this case, skin care doesn’t feel relaxing anymore. Skin care literally means caring for the skin and I don’t think this routine should be rushed or stressed about. Lucky for you, we spoke to three renowned dermatologists across the country to bring to you a comprehensive guide to creating an effective skincare routine for pimples. Read ahead to find out essential steps, starting with the basics of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising, with expert recommendations for targeted treatments for acne-prone skin. Find out some common skincare mistakes that you may be making and make your way to clearer, healthier skin starting this new year. Consider these tips your jackpot straight from experts.
Morning Skincare Routine for Pimple
Step 1: Cleanse
Dr Jaishree Sharad, one of the leading dermatologists in Mumbai, suggests opting for cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Dr Kiran Sethi, another leading cosmetic dermatologist and founder of Isya Aesthetics asserts the same. She adds, “I believe in grading the zits and understanding the level of acne.” For a layman, your best bet is to start with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and then of course, consult your dermatologist. “You can also consider using niacinamide and green tea in case your skin is very oily.”
The promise of youthful skin well into my senior years is reason enough to get my skin care routine sorted ASAP. Dr Madhuri Agarwal a board certified dermatologist and the founder of Yavana Aesthetic advises using a foamy or gel cleanser twice a day to remove dirt and oil and unclog pores. She also attests to using ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to cleanse well. “Avoid frequent washing of the face in the daytime.”
Novology’s Acne Deep Clearing Cleanser is a trusted face wash for achieving clearer skin in just six washes. Its gentle, lightweight gel formula cleanses without stripping moisture. It contains Thymol and Terpineol to target only acne-causing bacteria. It’s basically your solution to treating active acne, blackheads, and whiteheads, giving you smooth, hydrated, and squeaky clean skin.
Step 2: Serum
I was convinced that sunscreen was all I needed to achieve a golden, baby-smooth, skin. Let’s face it, sunscreen is a godsend product for addressing anti-aging, preventing and reducing dark spots, and offering protection from the sun. However, over the years and after many mistakes, I've learned that it’s the big guns—targeted serums, gentle cleansers, hydrating moisturisers—that really do the heavy lifting. A serum with niacinamide can help with inflammation and to control excess oil production. You can pair your facewash with Novology Acne Clearing Serum. It’s a non-sticky formulation that fights acne while preserving beneficial bacteria and restoring your skin’s natural balance.
Step 3: Moisturise
Face creams are the third step. Use a lightweight, water based, non-comedogenic moisturiser to hydrate your skin. Don’t forget, even oily skin needs moisturising to prevent sudden drying or irritation of skin. Look for products with glycerine, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, bisabol, niacinamide.
Step 4: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the last step. On choosing the best sunscreen for your face, look for an SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreen is very important irrespective of acne. Dr Jaishree adds, “most of the acne patients are on retinoids which increases skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Opt for an oil-free/gel-based sunscreen to avoid clogging of pores.” Dr Madhuri recommends going for a sunscreen with silicones as it helps achieve a nice glow. “Physical sunscreens are also a good option preferable with tint to avoid the white cast with zinc.”
Night Skincare Routine for Pimple
The primary focus in the evening, before going to bed, is to prep your skin so that it can repair and rejuvenate to the best of its ability. Like the morning routine, the night routine starts with cleansing, followed by a restorative and calming eye cream, serum if needed and a moisturiser to lock it all in.
Step 1: Cleanse Again!
Take the day off with the same cleanser you used in the morning. If you have makeup on, double cleanse with an oil based cleanser first, followed by your regular face wash. You can try Dermalogica’s Precleanse Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover, which is also Allure’s Best of Beauty Award Winner. It’ll thoroughly melt away layers of excess sebum (oil), sunscreen, waterproof make-up, environmental pollutants and residual products that build up on skin throughout the day.
Step 2: Exfoliate (optional)
You can gauge how your skin is feeling and the kind of day you’ve had, coupled with when was the last time you exfoliated. Exfoliating too often, like every day, is also not advisable. You can choose to do it every two days, depending on your lifestyle. Dr Madhuri suggests using a chemical acid exfoliator containing salicylic or glycolic acid twice or thrice a week to minimise the dead cell plugging of the pores. Oily skin has a thicker and larger pore lining. This can cause more buildup in the pores.
Step 3: Spot Treatment
You can try Novology’s Acne Rescue Spot Corrector that is patented with TT2 technology with 0.10% Thymol and Terpineol. Dr Jaishree recommends applying benzoyl peroxide/retinoid (adapalene or tretinoin)/ salicylic acid/ topical antibiotic or a combination of any of these ingredients as spot treatment for active acne.
Step 4: Moisturise
Finish the routine with a moisturiser. This can be the same one that you use in the day time. I personally like to use one with bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol. Bakuchiol can help with acne by reducing blemishes, unclogging pores, and regulating oil production.
Dermatologist Recommended Targeted Treatments For Acne-Prone Skin
Some common treatments that all three dermatologists advocate:
- Oral medication: Antibiotics and vitamin A derivatives are prescribed according to the grade of acne and patient profile
- Topical Creams/Gels/ Patches: These usually contain salicylic acid, tretinoin, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, dapsone, among others.
- Chemical Peeling: Using various concentrations of salicylic acid peel helps to reduce acne. Other peels used in dermatology clinics are: Black peel, Mandelic peel, TCA Peel, and more.
- Blue Light Therapy: Uses specific wavelengths of light to destroy bacteria and also reduces inflammation. Blue light therapy can also be done at home.
- Microneedling: Useful for scarring as well as active breakouts.
- Microdermabrasion: Helps to reduce clogged pores and grade 2 acne.
How Long Should You Wait to See The Results?
Dr Jaishree confirms that results typically depend on the type and grade of acne, the active ingredients in the products you are using, hormonal imbalance if any, lifestyle and compliance with the treatment. “4-6 weeks is an ideal time to devote to a fixed morning and night pimple control skin care routine. If there is no improvement after 6 weeks, you must consult a dermatologist.” Dr Madhuri adds that severe pimples can take up to 6-9 months to heal and settle down.
Common Skincare Mistakes to Avoid
If you’re wondering why you’re not able to see the best results when you’re possibly doing a lot of self-care and skin care – there’s a chance that you might be making some of these skincare mistakes.
- Over-cleansing and under-cleansing
- Using comedogenic products
- Incomplete makeup removal and heavy makeup coverage
- Not moisturising enough
- Untreated dandruff
- Undiagnosed hormonal issues
- Neglecting lifestyle factors like reducing stress, lack of exercise, smoking, disturbed sleep cycle and an unhealthy diet are the most common.
- Ø Touching your face too often with unclean hands
- Picking and squeezing acne
- Skipping sunscreen in the skin care routine
Final Takeaway
While ingredients like niacinamide (Vitamin B3), salicylic acid, tea tree oil, vitamin C and zinc are excellent for day time, ingredients best suited for the night are retinoids, clay masks and glycolic acid. You can switch up your products based on these ingredients for day and night. Largely, a simple skincare routine must be followed to treat acne. Incorporating these ingredients, along with ensuring that you avoid some common mistakes can take you closer to clearer skin.
Meet The Dermatologists:
- Dr. Jaishree Sharad, a globally acclaimed, celebrated cosmetic dermatologist, author and TedX speaker based in Mumbai, with 24 years of experience and a high-profile clientele from Bollywood, politics, and cricket.
- Dr Kiran Sethi is one of India’s leading experts in Cosmetic Dermatology and the Medical Director at Isya Aesthetics. She is a Columbia University graduate and an M.D. Additionally, she is American Board Certified with further degrees in Aesthetic Medicine and Laser Surgery, and a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, American Society of Dermatology, American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, European Society of Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dermatology, International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology and IADVL among others.
- Dr Madhuri Agarwal is a board certified dermatologist who has received many prestigious awards like the Elle Best Skin Expert 2024, among others. She is also the founder of Yavana Aesthetics in Mumbai.
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