Moderate Acne
Patients with moderate acne generally have many clogged pores and many inflammatory pimples. Moderate acne does not come with deeper-seated cystic nodules. The chest and back may be involved as well. There may be pink or red marks present called post-inflammatory erythema after pimples have resolved. As some of the inflammatory pimples heal, there can be scars.
Main Treatments - Face
• Use adapalene gel or other retinoid at night on the entire face
• Use benzoyl peroxide leave-on gel in the morning on the entire face
• Use anti-acne cleansers when washing the face
• If very oily, use anti-acne toner
• Use benzoyl peroxide leave-on gel in the morning on the entire face
• Use anti-acne cleansers when washing the face
• If very oily, use anti-acne toner
Main Treatments - Chest, Shoulders, or Back
• Use benzoyl peroxide leave-on gel in the morning on the entire zone
• Use anti-acne cleansers when washing the zone in the shower
• If very oily, apply anti-acne toner
• Use anti-acne cleansers when washing the zone in the shower
• If very oily, apply anti-acne toner
Skin Care
• Remove causative or exacerbating factors
• Use non-comedogenic sunscreen as needed
• Use moisturizer only if dry
• Use non-comedogenic sunscreen as needed
• Use moisturizer only if dry
Add ons
• For new zits, use pimple spot treatment
• For flat red or pink blemishes, use a blemish spot treatment
• For any raised scars, use scar spot treatment
• Take oral zinc supplements for 2-3 months
• Take fish oil supplements on an ongoing basis
• For flat red or pink blemishes, use a blemish spot treatment
• For any raised scars, use scar spot treatment
• Take oral zinc supplements for 2-3 months
• Take fish oil supplements on an ongoing basis
For Women Only
• If you use hormonal contraception, make sure it’s acne-friendly birth control
• If you are pregnant or attempting conception, your treatment options are more limited. Visit our page on acne during pregnancy
• Breastfeeding patients may safely use all the treatments recommended on this page
• If you are pregnant or attempting conception, your treatment options are more limited. Visit our page on acne during pregnancy
• Breastfeeding patients may safely use all the treatments recommended on this page
Mild Acne - Moderate Acne - Severe (Cystic) Acne - Hormonal Acne - Acne During Pregnancy - Acne & Breastfeeding - Retinol - Anti-acne Cleanser - Anti-acne Toner - Benzoyl Peroxide - Zinc Monomethionine & Fish Oil - Pimple Spot Treatment - Blemish Treatment - Scar Treatment - Sunscreen - Moisturizer - Avoiding Exacerbators - Comedogenic Ingredient List - Azelaic Acid - Birth Control Pills - Clindamycin - Doxycycline - Isotretinoin - iPledge - Spironolactone - Minocycline - Bactrim (SMX/TMP)