acne spot cream - #14733
I am dealing with this really annoying breakout, and it's got me super frustrated. I don’t even know where it came from. One minute, my skin was fine, and the next, boom! I get this huge pimple right on my cheek. Just my luck! Anyway, I immediately went to my local drugstore and picked up an acne spot cream that was highly recommended. It’s one of those with salicylic acid - thought it would work since it’s supposed to be super effective. But here I am, a week later, and honestly, the acne spot cream doesn't seem to be doing much good. The angry red spot is still there, and my skin feels even dryer now. Should I be using it longer? Or is there a chance this specific acne spot cream isn’t right for my skin type? I’ve read about other ingredients like benzoyl peroxide too but should I mix them? My skin gets sensitive, so I'm hesitating. Does anyone have thoughts on what I could do? Like, if the acne spot cream isn’t performing as expected, is it better to wait a few more days or try something else? Ugh! I just want clear skin back! Anyway, any insights would really help!!
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Doctors’ responses
It sounds like you’re encountering a common issue with acne spot treatments, especially when it comes to sensitive skin. Salicylic acid can be effective for unclogging pores and might work well for some people, but if your skin is dry and irritated, it may be too harsh. You might want to stop using it temporarily, observe if your skin condition improves, and then consider alternative treatments. Before trying a new product, consider the active ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide is another common acne treatment that can kill bacteria and reduce inflammation but may also dry the skin. Mixing active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide without knowing your skin’s tolerance could worsen dryness and irritation. To address your sensitive skin, you might want to add a non-comedogenic moisturizer to counteract dryness potential caused by topical treatments. If after a week there hasn’t been any improvement with the current product, it might be wise to reassess. Choose products specifically formulated for sensitive skin with lower percentages of active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. It’s also crucial to apply sunscreen in the morning to protect your skin from irritation and potential sun damage when using these products. If the issue persists or if your acne seems severe or is suddenly appearing, a visit to a dermatologist could help tailor a personalized treatment plan, possibly incorporating prescription options well-suited to sensitive skin. They could assess whether other factors are contributing to your breakouts, such as lifestyle or dietary habits, and suggest changes accordingly. However, it is generally advised against overlapping treatments without professional guidance to avoid over-stripping the skin barrier.
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