The Acne Treatments Dermatologists Use On Themselves

They hit it with chemical weapons

To tackle a flare-up at home, dermatologists don’t head to the corner drugstore. Instead, they use Rx-strength treatments (that you can order online). “I use our Vanish Spot Treatment, which contains a potent blend of salicylic acid and other pore-clearing ingredients,” says Eric Schweiger, MD, New York Dermatologist and founder of Schweiger Dermatology Group. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that’s FDA-approved to unclog pores. “It goes on clear so can be applied during the day.”

For really painful red pimples, Sandra Lee, MD, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, reaches for a topical corticosteroid and/or a topical acne spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide, like her SLMD Spot Treatment. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing P. acnes bacteria, which causes acne, and by preventing pores from becoming blocked over time. (Don’t miss Dr. Pimple Popper’s best acne-fighting advice.)

For daily prevention, Nicholas Perricone, MD, board-certified dermatologist, nutritionist and founder of PerriconeMD, recommends using a with a superstar blend of five acne-fighting ingredients: alpha lipoic acid, DMAE, glycolic acid, zinc, and salicylic acid. “This keeps skin fresh and clean and prevents build-up of excess oils,” he explains. You can find these ingredients in PerriconeMD’s Intensive Pore Treatment.

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