What Can I Do? To Help Reduce The Severity Of Acne?

Acne is one of the most common skin concerns in the teenage years, and it often continues into adult life. It is frustrating and can be emotionally difficult, but it is manageable. Understanding why acne happens, and how to care for the skin properly, can significantly reduce its severity and lower the risk of long-term scarring.

Why acne is common in teenagers

During puberty, rising androgen levels stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. When that excess oil combines with skin cells that are not shedding normally, pores block, Cutibacterium acnes multiplies and inflammation follows. The result is blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed pimples and sometimes deeper cystic lesions. Acne commonly affects preadolescents from around age 9 upwards, so it is not unusual for it to start before the teenage years [1].

Genetics, hormones, skincare habits and lifestyle all influence how severe acne becomes.

Keep skincare simple and consistent

The single most useful thing you can do is follow a simple routine consistently. Over-cleansing, harsh scrubs and stacking too many active products damage the skin barrier and can make acne worse.

A gentle cleanser morning and night removes excess oil without stripping the skin. Follow with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser. Hydration matters even for oily, acne-prone skin.

Give any routine time. Topical acne treatments need consistent use over months before the improvement is clear, and stopping early is one of the most common reasons treatment appears to fail.

Choose the right ingredients

The 2024 American Academy of Dermatology guidelines rate these actives as follows [1]:

• Benzoyl peroxide reduces acne-causing bacteria and carries a strong recommendation, the highest evidence grade in the guidelines. Start low, and note it can bleach fabrics.
• Topical retinoids also carry a strong recommendation. They stop pores blocking in the first place.
• Salicylic acid helps unclog pores and has a conditional recommendation as a supporting treatment.
• Azelaic acid helps with redness, congestion and post-acne pigmentation, also conditionally recommended.
• Niacinamide supports the skin barrier, which makes stronger actives easier to tolerate [2].

The guidelines recommend combining products with different mechanisms rather than relying on one, but introduce them one at a time and give each a few weeks [1].

Do not pick

Picking or squeezing increases inflammation and substantially raises the risk of scarring and post-inflammatory pigmentation. Hands also transfer bacteria to the face. Keeping hands away from the skin is one of the highest-impact habits there is.

Lifestyle factors

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. Diet plays a modest role: a 2022 systematic review found that high glycaemic index and glycaemic load have a modest but significant effect on acne, with most interventional studies showing improvement on a low glycaemic diet. The evidence for dairy was less consistent and appeared limited to populations with a Western dietary pattern [3].

Treat diet as a supporting factor alongside proper topical treatment, not instead of it.

Sunscreen is still essential

Many acne treatments, particularly retinoids and acids, increase sun sensitivity. UV exposure is also the main driver of skin damage over time, so daily sunscreen protects both your skin and your results [4]. A lightweight oil-free formula suits acne-prone skin.

When to seek professional help

If acne is persistent, painful, leaving marks, or affecting confidence, get a professional opinion. Treating acne early is the most effective way to prevent permanent scarring, and the 2024 guidelines strongly recommend oral isotretinoin for acne that is severe, scarring, causing psychosocial burden, or failing standard therapy [1].

At Oceania Wellness we focus on education, gentle treatment planning and age-appropriate guidance, because good skin habits are easiest to build early.

References

1. Reynolds, R. V., Yeung, H., Cheng, C. E., Cook-Bolden, F., Desai, S. R., Druby, K. M., Freeman, E. E., Keri, J. E., Stein Gold, L. F., Tan, J. K., Tollefson, M. M., Weiss, J. S., Wu, P. A., Zaenglein, A. L., Han, J. M., & Barbieri, J. S. (2024). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 90(5), 1006.e1–1006.e30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017
2. Crespi, O., Rosset, F., Pala, V., Sarda, C., Accorinti, M., Quaglino, P., & Ribero, S. (2025). Cosmeceuticals for anti-aging: Mechanisms, clinical evidence, and regulatory insights—A comprehensive review. Cosmetics, 12(5), 209. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12050209
3. Meixiong, J., Ricco, C., Vasavda, C., & Ho, B. K. (2022). Diet and acne: A systematic review. JAAD International, 7, 95–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdin.2022.02.012
4. Quan, T. (2023). Human skin aging and the anti-aging properties of retinol. Biomolecules, 13(11), 1614. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13111614
5. Karwal, K., & Mukovozov, I. (2023). Topical AHA in dermatology: Formulations, mechanisms of action, efficacy, and future perspectives. Cosmetics, 10(5), 131. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics10050131

This article is general information about skincare and is not personal medical advice. If you have a specific skin concern, please speak with your GP, dermatologist or one of our therapists.