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Key Information

  • Acne is not caused by dirty skin or poor hygiene.
  • Wash acne-prone skin no more than twice a day using lukewarm water and a mild cleanser or soap. Washing more often or scrubbing can irritate your skin and make acne worse.
  • Choose non-comedogenic products where possible, remove make-up before bed, and avoid picking or squeezing spots, harsh scrubs, toothpaste and sunbeds.
  • A pharmacist can often help with blackheads, whiteheads or a smaller number of spots. Contact the practice if acne is not improving, becomes painful or widespread, causes scarring or affects how you feel.

Why Is Gentle Skin Care Important?

The changes that cause acne usually happen beneath the surface of the skin, where pores and hair follicles can become blocked. Washing more often or scrubbing does not clear this blockage and can make irritation worse.

What Is a Simple Acne Skin Care Routine?

Wash acne-prone skin no more than twice a day using lukewarm water and a mild cleanser or soap. Very hot or very cold water can irritate the skin.

If you use make-up, skin care or sunscreen, look for products labelled non-comedogenic. This means they are less likely to block pores. Remove make-up before going to bed and avoid heavy, oily products if they seem to make your skin worse.

What Should I Avoid?

Try not to pick, scratch or squeeze spots, blackheads or whiteheads. This can make acne worse and increase the risk of permanent scarring.

Avoid harsh online remedies such as toothpaste on spots, aggressive scrubs, trying to dry the skin out, or using sunbeds or sunlamps to treat acne. These can irritate or damage your skin.

When Can a Pharmacist Help?

If your acne is mainly blackheads, whiteheads or a smaller number of spots, a pharmacist may be a good first place to ask for advice, especially if you do not have painful deep spots, widespread acne or scarring.

If a pharmacist recommends a treatment, follow the instructions carefully. Some products can cause dryness or irritation at first and some can bleach towels, bedding or clothing.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Acne treatment usually takes time. It may take around 4 to 8 weeks before you notice clear improvement, and some treatments need longer to have their full effect.

When Should I Contact the Practice?

Please contact us at the link below if your acne is not improving after trying pharmacy treatment, is becoming widespread, or you are developing painful deep spots, large lumps, marks or scars that are not settling.

Please also ask for help if acne is affecting your mood, confidence, school, work or social life.

Further Information

To learn more about acne, please visit the NHS website.

Last reviewed: 7 August 2026

Next review due: 7 August 2029