Hello. Treatment at home can help reduce acne flare-ups. • Wash your face (or other affected skin) gently one or two times a day. • Do not squeeze pimples, because that often leads to infections, worse acne, and scars. • Use a moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out. Choose one that says noncomedogenic on the label. • Use over-the-counter medicated creams, soaps, lotions, and gels to treat your acne. Always read the label carefully to make sure you are using the product correctly. Examples of some over-the-counter products used to treat acne include: • Benzoyl peroxide (such as Brevoxyl or Triaz), which unplugs pores. • Alpha hydroxy acid, which dries up blemishes and causes the top skin layer to peel. You ll find alpha hydroxy acid in some moisturizers, cleansers, eye creams, and sunscreens. • Salicylic acid (such as Propa pH or Stridex), which dries up blemishes and causes the top skin layer to peel. • Tea tree oil, which kills bacteria. You ll find tea tree oil in some gels, creams, and oils. Some skin care products, such as those with alpha hydroxy acid, will make your skin very sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. Protect your skin from the sun and other sources of UV light. Medicines can help manage the severity and frequency of acne outbreaks. A number of medicines are available. Your treatment will depend on the type of acne you have (pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, or cystic lesions). These medicines improve acne by: • Unplugging skin pores and stopping them from getting plugged with oil (tretinoin, which is sold as Retin-A). • Killing bacteria (antibiotics). • Reducing the amount of skin oil (isotretinoin). • Reducing the effects of hormones in producing acne (certain oral contraceptive pills for women). The best medical treatment for acne often is a combination of medicines. These could include medicine that you put on your skin (topical) and medicine that you take by mouth (oral). Or you may take medicines such as clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide, a gel that contains two topical medicines. Medication choices: Treatment of acne depends on whether inflammation or bacteria are present. Some acne consists only of red bumps on the skin with no open sores (comedonal acne). Topical creams and lotions work best for this type of acne. But if bacteria or inflammation is present with open sores, oral antibiotics or isotretinoin may work better. The most common types of medicines that doctors use to treat acne include: • Benzoyl peroxide, such as Brevoxyl or Triaz. • Salicylic acid, such as Propa pH or Stridex. • Topical and oral antibiotics, such as clindamycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, and tetracycline. • Topical retinoid medicines, such as tretinoin (Retin-A), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac). • Azelaic acid, such as Azelex, a topical cream. • Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid. • Low-dose birth control pills that contain estrogen (such as Estrostep, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, or Yaz), which work well on moderate acne in women and for premenstrual flare-ups. • Androgen blockers, such as spironolactone. Androgen blockers can be useful in treating acne. These medicines decrease the amount of sebum (oil) made in your pores. with regards- Dr Sanjay Kini