How to get rid of acne and skin blemishes with skincare More than 1.5 billion people experience acne. So with a global prevalence of 20.5%, it is one of the world’s most common skin issues. But more than that, we know that this skin disorder goes beyond visible skin blemishes, it can have a real, lasting impact on your life. The original version of this article was reviewed by Dr. Debra Jaliman, dermatologist Because of this, there is a big focus on how to get rid of spots with skincare, though not all the information out there is clear or scientifically accurate. That’s where we come in. We're here with the latest research-backed details you need to know about skincare for breakouts. Quick breakdown: What is acne? Acne vs pimples What is fungal acne? What causes acne? How to get rid of acne Skincare routine for acne How do you prevent spots? How to get rid of acne marks What is acne? Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder caused by overactive sebaceous glands, a build-up of dead skin cells in the pore lining and bacteria overgrowth. When functioning normally, sebaceous glands produce a substance called sebum. This is a component of the skin’s oil that keeps your skin moisturised. When sebaceous glands start to produce excess sebum, they create an environment that helps lead to the multiplication of Cutibacterium acnes. This is the bacteria that causes acne. Sebum + bacteria = skin breakout. There are several types of acne, ranging from mild comedonal acne (AKA spots) to severe acne (AKA cysts). You can experience acne on the chin, forehead and cheeks – basically anywhere there are sebaceous glands. The human body has its greatest concentration of sebaceous glands on the face, chest and upper back, which are all areas that acne regularly shows up. Acne vs pimples Pimples are a symptom of acne, but just because you have pimples doesn’t mean you definitely have acne. It’s possible to have acne without getting small pustules on your skin, instead you’d see raised, solid bumps that don’t contain pus (AKA papules). Bumps that go deep into the skin (nodules) are also a symptom of severe acne. What is fungal acne? Fungal acne is a type of inflammatory skin condition that’s often confused with true acne. Fungal acne and acne are actually very different. The condition of fungal acne is referred to as Pityrosporum folliculitis or Malassezia folliculitis. It occurs when hair follicles are infected with an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast and form small, itchy red bumps. Traditional acne happens because of sebaceous glands and a bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes, which is why we sometimes call it bacterial acne. Fungal acne occurs when skin is kept moist and warm for long periods. This can include using hot tubs, not showering after exercising or wearing non-breathable or tight (friction-causing) clothing. Fungal acne can result in pimples, like small bumps with pus inside. What causes acne? The main cause of acne is a combination of bacteria + dead skin cell build-up + sebum overproduction. There are other factors that can influence blemished skin as well, from diet and genetics to stress and sweat. This is because acne is a skin problem that has several culprits responsible for its development: Family history & genetics: one study found that as much as 81% of the variability in acne can be linked to genetic factors. Don’t worry, there are still ways to keep genetic acne it under control! Hormone levels: imbalances of chemical messengers within the body can trigger acne. These kinds of imbalances tend to happen with a fluctuation in hormone levels, like during puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. Hormone imbalances can also happen outside of these moments and this might require medical help (acne can be a symptom of something more serious, like polycystic ovary syndrome. Lifestyle factors: stress and diet can impact your skin and cause breakouts. Some studies have found that in certain populations, consumption of dairy products or foods with a high glycemic index (they raise blood sugar rapidly and significantly) could lead to greater instances of breakouts. Environmental factors: humidity can cause excess oil production and pollution can set off breakouts. Irritating & ill-formulated skincare: using skincare ingredients like sensitising fragrances and SD alcohol can cause further irritation which then exacerbates spots on your face. Emollient and occlusive ingredients with rich, creamy textures can also clog pores for oily and acne-prone skin (though we’d recommend them for dry skin types). How to get rid of acne We know what causes acne, but responses to acne treatments are very individual. That is why it’s best to keep consistent with a few methods and if you don’t see results after a while, experiment with another way to get rid of acne. Here are a few of the best ways to treat blemishes on your skin, according to Paula’s Choice: BHA (AKA salicylic acid): this oil-soluble exfoliant removes clogs & helps skin shed dead cells that can cause bumps Retinoids (like adapalene): helps normalise cell turnover and reduce clogs Acne patches: specifically the adhesive hydrocolloid patches featuring acne-fighting active ingredients like salicylic acid, just be sure to check your skincare labels! At-home light therapy: whether with a red or blue light, this can help with acne symptoms Popping pimples, safely: it’s not always possible to let pimples just fade away If your acne is persistent, painful or severe, consulting a GP or dermatologist is your best bet to help get things under control. They might suggest prescription retinoid gels, azelaic acid creams or oral antibiotics (or a combination of all three) to tackle stubborn acne-prone skin. Skincare routine for acne Wondering how to clear spots? Keep consistent with a morning and evening routine like the below: AM anti-acne skincare routine: Cleanse skin with a face wash for acne-prone skin that removes oil & debris without stripping skin Tone skin with a nourishing toner that helps visibly reduce pore size Exfoliate with a redness-fighting salicylic acid liquid that clears clogs & regulates oil flow within pores Spot treat with a treatment featuring azelaic acid, using a light layer all over skin if needed Always finish with an SPF 30+ to defend your skin against inflammation that can make acne worse PM anti-acne skincare routine: Cleanse Tone Exfoliate Apply a treatment featuring pore-normalising niacinamide or skin-clearing retinoids Spot treat with 10% concentration of azelaic acid to tackle stubborn breakout-prone areas Follow with a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser How do you prevent spots? Prevention is key when beating the breakout cycle. It isn’t always possible to stop every single breakout from happening when you have blemish-prone skin, but there is a lot you can do to lessen the occurrence: Use a gentle skincare routine: every single formula needs to be free of fragrance or sensitising ingredients that irritate the skin and put it at greater risk of acne. This also means no harsh scrubs or brushes! Acne isn’t about your skin being dirty, so extra scrubbing won’t help. Add in acne-focused treatments: salicylic acid is very good for acne because it can proactively prevent breakouts from happening, just like azelaic acid. Hydrate the skin barrier: a healthy barrier is less likely to develop acne! The myth that oily or acne-prone skin doesn’t need hydration is just that, a baseless myth. Match your skincare to your skin type: while thick or occlusive formulas are great for dry skin, they can pose a problem for acne-prone skin. Wear lightweight make-up: remember, heavier formulas aren’t necessarily friendly to acne-prone skin. Keep unwashed hands away from your face: they can transfer dirt and pathogens. Analyse your diet: this might mean cutting back on dairy or foods with a high glycaemic index. Reduce daily stress: easier said than done, of course! Never miss SPF: the science shows that solar radiation can trigger and worsen acne and also increase the risk of developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. How to get rid of acne marks For many, acne also means developing post-acne scars or marks. How do post-acne marks happen? Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin colour and sometimes, during the acne healing process, its production gets disrupted and disordered. This results in post-acne marks (known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). The good news is that these marks that linger after a breakout visibly improve if you use skin-brightening ingredients like vitamin C. How do post-acne scars happen? Acne scars (called ice pick, rolling, boxcar, keloid, etc.) are the result of collagen destruction and dysfunction. This does make them harder to tackle. In some cases, a dermatologist or aesthetician can help with services like microneedling. Of course, the best way to get rid of acne marks and scars is to avoid them in the first place so if you want to minimise the chances of leftover breakout marks, try to avoid aggressively popping spots. That will help! Scientific references: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, May 2024, pages 1,016-1,018 Cleveland Clinic, "Fungal Acne", Website, Accessed May 2025 Trends in Microbiology, April 2023, pages 419-420 Cleveland Clinic, “Pimples”, Website, Accessed May 2025 International Journal of General Medicine, August 2023, pages 3,843-3,856 Archives of Dermatological Research, March 2019, pages 337-349 International Journal of Dermatology, August 2022, pages 930-934 Nutrition and Acne Vulgaris, pages 31-37, Esraa M. AlEdani, Howard I. Maibach, Editors, April 2025 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatologists International, June 2022, pages 95-112 JAMA, November 2021, pages 2,055-2,067 Archives of Dermatological Research, May 2021, pages 239-246 Medicine Advances, December 2023, pages 318-329 Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, June 2023, pages 1,919-1,928