Gentle cleanser, adapalene, moisturizer and sunscreen

How to get rid of adult acne

Benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid or a retinoid needs six to eight weeks to show results, so use one daily, moisturize, wear sunscreen and see a dermatologist if nothing changes.

  • Cleanse
  • Moisturize
  • Protect
  • 6 to 8 weeks

Last reviewed

Daily Skincare Routine

Your skin
Your spots

Answer both and step 2 fills in the active that fits your skin.

  1. Cleanse

    Wash once or twice a day with a gentle cleanser or mild soap, and again after exercise. No scrubbing. Take all makeup off before bed.

  2. Pick one active

    Default: Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5% to 5%) for red spots

    Adapalene (0.1%)
    Clogged pores and new spots; once a day at bedtime.
    Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5% to 5%)
    Red spots; start once a day.
    Salicylic Acid
    Washes and lotions sold at 0.5 to 2%.
    Azelaic Acid
    Acne pimples and swelling; a cream from your doctor.

    Teens use the same actives; for their routine, see the best acne treatment for teens.

  3. Be Patient

    Benzoyl peroxide shows in 4 to 6 weeks. Adapalene's full effect takes 8 to 12 weeks and skin can look worse first.

  4. Moisturize and Protect

    A moisturizer eases the dryness of the first weeks; pick one labeled noncomedogenic so it won't clog pores. Wear sunscreen daily, since adapalene makes skin sensitive to sunlight.

  5. Move up if needed

    No change by month three? A dermatologist can add prescription options. To compare every option side by side, see the best acne treatments by acne type.

After it clears: keep going with your active, and the habits in how to prevent acne help keep it that way.

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Why adult acne is stubborn

Adult acne is acne that persists past the teens, starts late or keeps coming back. It means, in women at least, it is often mild to moderate but can resist standard treatment. The triggers of adult acne include hormones, daily stress, diet, tobacco and cosmetics, so a plan works best when you keep it going. Find out which trigger fits you.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Active Ingredients

Pharmacy acne products may contain benzoyl peroxide at 2.5 to 10% or salicylic acid at 0.5 to 2%. Adapalene 0.1% gel is sold without a prescription for ages 12 and up, and since May 2026 so is a gel combining adapalene 0.1% with benzoyl peroxide 2.5%.

Prescription and Hormonal Options

Ask your dermatologist about these if step 5 comes around. They are stronger than pharmacy products, and your doctor decides the dose, so there is no dosing here on purpose.

Topical Retinoids
Prescription creams or gels such as tretinoin, a step up from adapalene.
Oral Medications
Doxycycline with a topical, kept short; for women, the combined pill or spironolactone.
Isotretinoin
For severe or scarring acne, or acne that fails other treatment. Never in pregnancy, and every user registers with iPLEDGE.

What to skip

  • Scrubbing: it irritates the skin and can make acne worse.
  • Picking or squeezing: it can lead to infection, slower healing and scars.
  • Tanning: sun mostly hides acne, and too much raises the risk of wrinkles and skin cancer.
  • Stacking new actives: using more adapalene won't speed results, and many extra skin products irritate skin that is on it.
  • Greasy makeup and creams, and leaving makeup on overnight.

When to see a dermatologist

Go if pharmacy products have not helped after several months, if spots are deep and painful, if they leave scars, or if acne affects how you feel. Sudden acne later in life is worth a visit too, since conditions such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) can cause it.

Questions people ask

What does stress acne look like?

It looks like ordinary acne. Stress doesn't make a special kind of spot, but it is one of the known triggers of adult acne, so a rough few weeks can bring on the same pimples you already get. Keep your routine steady through busy times instead of adding new products.

How to tell if acne is hormonal or bacterial?

Trapped bacteria are part of how most pimples form, so it's rarely one or the other. Hormonal clues are spots on the lower face and jawline and flares that follow your menstrual cycle. To see which pattern your skin shows, try the photo analysis.

How to treat hormonal acne naturally at home?

Nothing natural has strong proof. At home, the plan above is your best start: a gentle cleanser, one pharmacy active, moisturizer and sunscreen. If your acne follows your cycle, ask a doctor about the pill or spironolactone.

What are the best acne treatments?

The 2024 US guideline gives its strongest backing to benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics and doxycycline, with isotretinoin for severe acne. Which one is best for you depends on your acne; step 5 of the plan shows when to move up.

Sources

  1. Acne, MedlinePlus
  2. Adapalene, MedlinePlus
  3. Benzoyl peroxide, MedlinePlus
  4. Azelaic acid, MedlinePlus
  5. 21 CFR 333.310
  6. FDA switch list
  7. Acne guideline 2024, PubMed
  8. Adult female acne, PubMed
  9. Hormonal acne therapies, PubMed
  10. Acne, NHS

Last reviewed

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. See a dermatologist if several months of the plan bring no change, or if you have deep painful spots, scars or sudden acne with other hormone changes.