How To Get Rid Of Acne In Men?
If you belong to the XY chromosome group and want to know how to get rid of acne, then keep reading.
The only thing that got us through those painful trials of the teenage breakouts was the solace in the thought that “it’s just a teen thing.”
Guess what- it’s not.
“Adult acne” is a thing, and it doesn’t discriminate between the sexes. Women and Men both suffer from the trials of adamant adult acne. Adult acne is not that different from teenage acne in its makeup, but it’s harder to get rid of.
But before we decode how to get rid of acne, it’s essential to understand what causes acne in men.
We have all experienced or at least heard that oily skin is more susceptible to acne.
But if oil is the problem, why doesn’t everyone with oil-producing sebaceous glands get acne?
Oil isn’t necessarily the cause; it’s the excessive production of oil that invites a plethora of problems. The excess oil clogs pores and creates a blockage in the follicle which eventually turns into acne.
Sebum blockage is one of the most prominent causes of acne in men. Although, unlike women, men pay scarce attention to the makeup of their skincare products. Your skin needs to be treated with skincare products specifically designed for oily skin to get rid of excess oil.
When treated with products that aren’t curated for oily skin, it dries your skin out, making your oil glands change into hyper gear mode and accelerate oil production.
Either way, it’s detrimental to your skin health.
The Neemli30 AC-NAY KIT FOR OILY SKIN is specifically designed to combat recurrent acne; this expertly curated routine helps reduce breakouts and whiteheads to give you clearer, more even-toned skin.
Okay, So an unwanted extra ton of oil is the culprit. But why do we end up with these overactive sebaceous glands? Is there a lottery that we don’t know about where the winners get away with shiny, plump oil-free skin?
Let's find out;
Not many people know this, but your skin constantly sheds dead skin cells. So right this second, layer of dead skin cells is being cast off your skin, paving the way for newer and fresher skin cells.
This desquamation is normal; the alarm goes off when this process goes awry, and your skin starts hyper-producing dead skin cells four to five times its normal rate but cannot shed it at the same rate. The excess dead skin then sits on your face clogging your pores, resulting in inflammation and acne.
Did You Know?
Most of the dust in your house is made up of dead skin cells.
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) are bacteria routinely found on most skin. In those with acne, the P. acnes population grows out of control. The bacteria create a conducive environment for breakouts.
However, the presence of (P.acnes) does not indicate the lack of hygiene; it results from sebum blockage, which stems from excess oil.
Treating adult acne is a daunting process full of experimental treatments, home remedies, and plenty of frustration.
Well, the good news is we have finally unlocked the treasure of effective ways to prevent acne. It’s similar to the techniques women have mastered over the years, but we have scoured the scripture for our reluctant male readers and streamlined the process.
After probing through the causes of acne, we have learned that the root cause of acne developing is blockage of pores with either excess oil or dead skin cells. So to ensure we never have to encounter the dreadful torturers we call adult acne ever again, we need to find ways to keep our pores unclogged and smooth.
That breaks the mission into two phases:
Let’s get the answer to how to prevent acne ;
Our best bet against oily skin is an effective and gentle oil-free face wash.
Wash your face in the morning and the evening without fail, to clear excess oil and dirt. A good face wash will help you clear your skin of unnecessary stressors like extra oil and free radicals, but a great cleanser will assist your skin in building balance while keeping the oil production in check.
If you don’t want to spend a chunk of your time following a 9-10 step skincare routine every day, you better invest some time and resources in finding the right cleanser for your skin.
Pay attention to this: Look for a face wash with salicylic acid as it’s not just a tried and tested weapon against acne but a skincare expert’s most recommended plan of action for preventing acne and controlling excess oil.
Neemli’s salicylic acid face wash calms and sanitizes the skin, leaving the skin feeling clean, fresh, and ready to take on the day.
I’m tired of convincing men to start exfoliating; it’s not that hard and takes less time than shaving. Still, they fail to understand the importance of this simple activity.
Pay attention because this will most likely change your life!
Exfoliation is the guaranteed solution for getting rid of dead skin cells before they get a chance to wreak havoc in our skin’s ecosystem.
Exfoliants like glycolic, lactic, and malic acids do a great job clearing your skin of all the dead weight, leaving your skin soft and smooth.
Washing your face is not enough to effectively clear your pores and peel off the blanket of dead skin cells lounging on your skin. Instead, it needs a good scrubbing.
Make it a habit to exfoliate your skin every time you shave, given that you shave every three days.
If excess oil in the hair travels to the skin, it can worsen acne. Wash your hair regularly, and be careful not to let hair spray and other hair products come in contact with your skin. They can worsen your acne.
Facial hair and acne don’t do well together. Facial hair on men can become a breeding ground for bacteria and rap oil—all facilitating the development of acne.
We know how much you love your beloved beard, so we have some precautionary measures that can help.
If razor bumps are an issue for you, shift to an electric razor and don’t shave too closely. Always be mindful of acne near your facial hair. Refrain from shaving off your pimples even by mistake. It’s just going to make it worse and not to mention extremely painful.
These simple precautions can save you the exhausting ordeal of treating acne, which we all know is no cakewalk. In addition to the preventive measures we mentioned above, following a daily skincare routine has proved effective in preventing and even treating acne.
A daily skincare routine might sound cumbersome, but it’s just a fancy way of saying to take care of your skin regularly.
The most essential step in the skin care routine for men and preventing adult acne is effectively cleansing your skin. Any regular cleanser won’t do; you need a cleanser packed with robust acne-fighting ingredients like Tea Tree oil and Salicylic acid.
Neemli’s Tea Tree & Salicylic Face Wash has both these ingredients along with skin-clearing Glycolic acid.
Toners are the elves that quietly get the job done while other products get the limelight. An exfoliating toner is the recommended choice for acne-prone skin. Unlike harsh scrubs, it gently exfoliates your sensitive skin and deeply cleanses your pores.
Choose a Toner that's alcohol-free as it irritates the skin and worsens the already fragile balance.
Glycolic Acid & Apple Cider Vinegar Exfoliating Toner is alcohol-free and known for its stunning pore-cleansing properties. Glycolic acid has the unique ability to go deeper into the skin, promoting skin cell renewal by effectively exfoliating the upper layers of the skin. And on the other hand, Apple Cider Vinegar helps increase the blood flow to the skin, minimizing the appearance of pores while balancing the skin’s pH and fighting acne-causing bacteria.
This power-packed Glycolic acid toner is the perfect addition to your acne-fighting skincare routine.
If you belong to the group that believed washing your face was equivalent to skincare, then naturally, all these steps of the skincare routine for men will feel a little overwhelming. But trust us, it’s all worth it because your skin not just deserves but, at this point, needs all the care and pampering it can get.
Serums are the speed posts that swiftly deliver active skin-enhancing ingredients directly to your skin, accelerating the skin-improving process. Our Glycolic & Salicylic Serum is specially formulated for acne-prone skin. A multi-functional superstar, it controls bacteria and clears dead skin cells while also soothing with minimal irritation to sensitive skin.
Even rugged men can have smooth, moisturized skin; it’s time we stop hurting our skin because of imaginary rules of masculinity. Moisturised skin is healthy skin. Men’s Moisturisers are swarming the market as more and more men realize the importance of moisturising in keeping the skin healthy and young.
Men’s Moisturisers provide a protective layer that prevents dust and other environmental impurities from coming in direct contact with our acne-affected skin while simultaneously locking essential moisture into the skin. And while treating acne, it becomes more important to use a moisturiser as acne-treating products often dry your skin.
Applying Sunscreen isn’t just a tropical holiday requisite; it’s a Sine qua non for protecting our acne condition from worsening. Sunscreen for men pretty much serves the same purpose as Sunscreen for women; prevent dark spots, sun damage, and signs of aging.
Sunscreen for men can protect acne-clad skin from the unforgiving UV- rays of the sun and other environmental elements.
A good Sunscreen for acne prone skin can give a mattifying effect and protect the skin without worsening breakouts like our Natural Spf 30+ Mattifying Sunscreen.
For oily and acne-prone skin, we have a daily essential duo combo with a Hyaluronic and oat moisturiser and Natural mattifying Sunscreen at a concessionary price.
Now that you are all caught up on the causes of acne and ways to prevent it, it’s time we get acquainted with how to treat it once you inevitably get it.
Treating acne is often a tedious and lengthy process that requires patience. You can’t start an acne treatment and get dejected if it doesn’t show results instantly.
The unique ability of Retinol to boost cell turnover makes it a gold standard to treat and prevent acne. In addition, Retinol is a robust agent that peels dead skin cells, preventing clogged pores which is the prominent reason behind the formation of new pimples. Not just that, Retinol products help in decreasing oil secretion as it shrinks sebaceous glands over time.
Whether in the form of Retinoids or retinol products, retinol therapy shows excellent results in treating acne. As we discussed earlier, it takes time, but the results are worth the wait.
Spot treatment on blemishes and acne can help clear them out without leaving any scars on your skin.
When your body doesn’t produce enough collagen, pits or scars may form while the skin heals. If you’re looking for a non-invasive but effective, yet gentle treatment and prevention remedy, your search ends here.
Glycolic Acid & Hydrolyzed Collagen Pit Repair Concentrate is formulated especially to work on repairing pits and uneven skin texture.
Over-the-counter acne products can help if you have minor blemishes. But if your acne refuses to budge even after trying OTC products, it’s time to contact your dermatologist. There are plenty of prescribed acne medications available that can help. With the proper medications, you will be well on your way to clear skin.
Adult acne is a severe problem that afflicts women and men alike.
It’s not enough to just treat acne when they occur and then forget about it. Once you get rid of those painful bumps on your face, continue with the healthy habit of following a daily skincare routine, so you don’t have to greet these troublemakers every other week.
Preventing acne is a continuous process where keeping your skin healthy and balanced is crucial. Cleansing and exfoliating are central to it. Follow the tips we discussed on how to get rid of acne religiously, and the results will follow!
When used on inflammatory acne, ice has the potential to decrease redness, thereby making your pimples less noticeable. However, don’t apply ice directly to your skin; place it in a cloth and then use it on your pimples.
Popping your pimple can cause inflammation and scarring, which takes a lot more time to clear up than a pimple would have taken to be treated.
Shaving doesn't cause acne, but it can cause razor bumps which look like acne. Razor bump is typically caused by the use of a dull, clogged, or dirty blade. Always use a clean blade and moisturise your skin before and after shaving.
Treating acne is a process that takes some time. You need to give it a minimum of 2-3 weeks to completely heal. While over-the-counter gels and creams can help treat acne, following a consistent skincare routine curated for fighting acne is the most effective and long-lasting way to get rid of acne.
The only thing that got us through those painful trials of the teenage breakouts was the solace in the thought that “it’s just a teen thing.”
Guess what- it’s not.
“Adult acne” is a thing, and it doesn’t discriminate between the sexes. Women and Men both suffer from the trials of adamant adult acne. Adult acne is not that different from teenage acne in its makeup, but it’s harder to get rid of.
But before we decode how to get rid of acne, it’s essential to understand what causes acne in men.
Causes of Acne in Men
-
Excess oil
We have all experienced or at least heard that oily skin is more susceptible to acne.
But if oil is the problem, why doesn’t everyone with oil-producing sebaceous glands get acne?
Oil isn’t necessarily the cause; it’s the excessive production of oil that invites a plethora of problems. The excess oil clogs pores and creates a blockage in the follicle which eventually turns into acne.
Sebum blockage is one of the most prominent causes of acne in men. Although, unlike women, men pay scarce attention to the makeup of their skincare products. Your skin needs to be treated with skincare products specifically designed for oily skin to get rid of excess oil.
When treated with products that aren’t curated for oily skin, it dries your skin out, making your oil glands change into hyper gear mode and accelerate oil production.
Either way, it’s detrimental to your skin health.
The Neemli30 AC-NAY KIT FOR OILY SKIN is specifically designed to combat recurrent acne; this expertly curated routine helps reduce breakouts and whiteheads to give you clearer, more even-toned skin.
Okay, So an unwanted extra ton of oil is the culprit. But why do we end up with these overactive sebaceous glands? Is there a lottery that we don’t know about where the winners get away with shiny, plump oil-free skin?
Let's find out;
Reasons you develop excess oil:
- Hormonal imbalance: Oh, these hormones! Why couldn’t they stop at mood swings? But, unfortunately, they have to meddle with our skin health too. It’s a direct relationship where the slightest fluctuations in testosterone levels result in increased oil production. This secretion when coupled with a clogged follicle, leads to dreadful bacterial overgrowth, causing inflammation and acne breakouts.
- Genetic Predisposition: If your parents had adult acne, chances are the apple will follow the same acne-riddled course. Even though your genes don’t meddle with the sebaceous glands, they just program your cells to be over-sensitive to testosterone. So even normal levels of testosterone trigger the oil factory resulting in oily skin and frequent breakouts.
-
Abnormal Shedding of dead skin cells
Not many people know this, but your skin constantly sheds dead skin cells. So right this second, layer of dead skin cells is being cast off your skin, paving the way for newer and fresher skin cells.
This desquamation is normal; the alarm goes off when this process goes awry, and your skin starts hyper-producing dead skin cells four to five times its normal rate but cannot shed it at the same rate. The excess dead skin then sits on your face clogging your pores, resulting in inflammation and acne.
Did You Know?
Most of the dust in your house is made up of dead skin cells.
-
Proliferation of Bacteria
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) are bacteria routinely found on most skin. In those with acne, the P. acnes population grows out of control. The bacteria create a conducive environment for breakouts.
However, the presence of (P.acnes) does not indicate the lack of hygiene; it results from sebum blockage, which stems from excess oil.
How to Prevent Acne in Men
Treating adult acne is a daunting process full of experimental treatments, home remedies, and plenty of frustration.
Well, the good news is we have finally unlocked the treasure of effective ways to prevent acne. It’s similar to the techniques women have mastered over the years, but we have scoured the scripture for our reluctant male readers and streamlined the process.
After probing through the causes of acne, we have learned that the root cause of acne developing is blockage of pores with either excess oil or dead skin cells. So to ensure we never have to encounter the dreadful torturers we call adult acne ever again, we need to find ways to keep our pores unclogged and smooth.
That breaks the mission into two phases:
- Keeping the oil on our skin in check
- Ensuring the dead skin cells don’t remain on our skin
Let’s get the answer to how to prevent acne ;
Ways to Prevent Acne
-
Wash your face twice a day
Our best bet against oily skin is an effective and gentle oil-free face wash.
Wash your face in the morning and the evening without fail, to clear excess oil and dirt. A good face wash will help you clear your skin of unnecessary stressors like extra oil and free radicals, but a great cleanser will assist your skin in building balance while keeping the oil production in check.
If you don’t want to spend a chunk of your time following a 9-10 step skincare routine every day, you better invest some time and resources in finding the right cleanser for your skin.
Pay attention to this: Look for a face wash with salicylic acid as it’s not just a tried and tested weapon against acne but a skincare expert’s most recommended plan of action for preventing acne and controlling excess oil.
Neemli’s salicylic acid face wash calms and sanitizes the skin, leaving the skin feeling clean, fresh, and ready to take on the day.
-
Start Exfoliating
I’m tired of convincing men to start exfoliating; it’s not that hard and takes less time than shaving. Still, they fail to understand the importance of this simple activity.
Pay attention because this will most likely change your life!
Exfoliation is the guaranteed solution for getting rid of dead skin cells before they get a chance to wreak havoc in our skin’s ecosystem.
Exfoliants like glycolic, lactic, and malic acids do a great job clearing your skin of all the dead weight, leaving your skin soft and smooth.
Washing your face is not enough to effectively clear your pores and peel off the blanket of dead skin cells lounging on your skin. Instead, it needs a good scrubbing.
Make it a habit to exfoliate your skin every time you shave, given that you shave every three days.
-
Keep Your Hair Clean.
If excess oil in the hair travels to the skin, it can worsen acne. Wash your hair regularly, and be careful not to let hair spray and other hair products come in contact with your skin. They can worsen your acne.
-
Be cautious while Shaving.
Facial hair and acne don’t do well together. Facial hair on men can become a breeding ground for bacteria and rap oil—all facilitating the development of acne.
We know how much you love your beloved beard, so we have some precautionary measures that can help.
- This one’s kind of obvious but nonetheless crucial. Use a clean razor to shave.
- Moisturise before and after shaving.
- If you have a breakout after you shave, try using an electric razor next time.
- Get an antibiotic foam that you can mix with your shaving cream to help prevent breakouts.
Razor Bumps
If razor bumps are an issue for you, shift to an electric razor and don’t shave too closely. Always be mindful of acne near your facial hair. Refrain from shaving off your pimples even by mistake. It’s just going to make it worse and not to mention extremely painful.
These simple precautions can save you the exhausting ordeal of treating acne, which we all know is no cakewalk. In addition to the preventive measures we mentioned above, following a daily skincare routine has proved effective in preventing and even treating acne.
A daily skincare routine might sound cumbersome, but it’s just a fancy way of saying to take care of your skin regularly.
Skin Care Routine For Men
Cleanse
The most essential step in the skin care routine for men and preventing adult acne is effectively cleansing your skin. Any regular cleanser won’t do; you need a cleanser packed with robust acne-fighting ingredients like Tea Tree oil and Salicylic acid.
Neemli’s Tea Tree & Salicylic Face Wash has both these ingredients along with skin-clearing Glycolic acid.
Tone (Optional)
Toners are the elves that quietly get the job done while other products get the limelight. An exfoliating toner is the recommended choice for acne-prone skin. Unlike harsh scrubs, it gently exfoliates your sensitive skin and deeply cleanses your pores.
Choose a Toner that's alcohol-free as it irritates the skin and worsens the already fragile balance.
Glycolic Acid & Apple Cider Vinegar Exfoliating Toner is alcohol-free and known for its stunning pore-cleansing properties. Glycolic acid has the unique ability to go deeper into the skin, promoting skin cell renewal by effectively exfoliating the upper layers of the skin. And on the other hand, Apple Cider Vinegar helps increase the blood flow to the skin, minimizing the appearance of pores while balancing the skin’s pH and fighting acne-causing bacteria.
This power-packed Glycolic acid toner is the perfect addition to your acne-fighting skincare routine.
Apply Serum
If you belong to the group that believed washing your face was equivalent to skincare, then naturally, all these steps of the skincare routine for men will feel a little overwhelming. But trust us, it’s all worth it because your skin not just deserves but, at this point, needs all the care and pampering it can get.
Serums are the speed posts that swiftly deliver active skin-enhancing ingredients directly to your skin, accelerating the skin-improving process. Our Glycolic & Salicylic Serum is specially formulated for acne-prone skin. A multi-functional superstar, it controls bacteria and clears dead skin cells while also soothing with minimal irritation to sensitive skin.
Men’s Moisturiser
Even rugged men can have smooth, moisturized skin; it’s time we stop hurting our skin because of imaginary rules of masculinity. Moisturised skin is healthy skin. Men’s Moisturisers are swarming the market as more and more men realize the importance of moisturising in keeping the skin healthy and young.
Men’s Moisturisers provide a protective layer that prevents dust and other environmental impurities from coming in direct contact with our acne-affected skin while simultaneously locking essential moisture into the skin. And while treating acne, it becomes more important to use a moisturiser as acne-treating products often dry your skin.
Sunscreen for men
Applying Sunscreen isn’t just a tropical holiday requisite; it’s a Sine qua non for protecting our acne condition from worsening. Sunscreen for men pretty much serves the same purpose as Sunscreen for women; prevent dark spots, sun damage, and signs of aging.
Sunscreen for men can protect acne-clad skin from the unforgiving UV- rays of the sun and other environmental elements.
A good Sunscreen for acne prone skin can give a mattifying effect and protect the skin without worsening breakouts like our Natural Spf 30+ Mattifying Sunscreen.
For oily and acne-prone skin, we have a daily essential duo combo with a Hyaluronic and oat moisturiser and Natural mattifying Sunscreen at a concessionary price.
Acne Treatment for Men
Now that you are all caught up on the causes of acne and ways to prevent it, it’s time we get acquainted with how to treat it once you inevitably get it.
Treating acne is often a tedious and lengthy process that requires patience. You can’t start an acne treatment and get dejected if it doesn’t show results instantly.
Retinol Therapy
The unique ability of Retinol to boost cell turnover makes it a gold standard to treat and prevent acne. In addition, Retinol is a robust agent that peels dead skin cells, preventing clogged pores which is the prominent reason behind the formation of new pimples. Not just that, Retinol products help in decreasing oil secretion as it shrinks sebaceous glands over time.
Whether in the form of Retinoids or retinol products, retinol therapy shows excellent results in treating acne. As we discussed earlier, it takes time, but the results are worth the wait.
Spot Treatment For Acne Pits and Scars
Spot treatment on blemishes and acne can help clear them out without leaving any scars on your skin.
When your body doesn’t produce enough collagen, pits or scars may form while the skin heals. If you’re looking for a non-invasive but effective, yet gentle treatment and prevention remedy, your search ends here.
Glycolic Acid & Hydrolyzed Collagen Pit Repair Concentrate is formulated especially to work on repairing pits and uneven skin texture.
Consult A Dermatologist
Over-the-counter acne products can help if you have minor blemishes. But if your acne refuses to budge even after trying OTC products, it’s time to contact your dermatologist. There are plenty of prescribed acne medications available that can help. With the proper medications, you will be well on your way to clear skin.
Conclusion
Adult acne is a severe problem that afflicts women and men alike.
It’s not enough to just treat acne when they occur and then forget about it. Once you get rid of those painful bumps on your face, continue with the healthy habit of following a daily skincare routine, so you don’t have to greet these troublemakers every other week.
Preventing acne is a continuous process where keeping your skin healthy and balanced is crucial. Cleansing and exfoliating are central to it. Follow the tips we discussed on how to get rid of acne religiously, and the results will follow!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ice remove pimples?
When used on inflammatory acne, ice has the potential to decrease redness, thereby making your pimples less noticeable. However, don’t apply ice directly to your skin; place it in a cloth and then use it on your pimples.
Should you pop pimples?
Popping your pimple can cause inflammation and scarring, which takes a lot more time to clear up than a pimple would have taken to be treated.
Is my razor causing acne?
Shaving doesn't cause acne, but it can cause razor bumps which look like acne. Razor bump is typically caused by the use of a dull, clogged, or dirty blade. Always use a clean blade and moisturise your skin before and after shaving.
How to get rid of acne fast?
Treating acne is a process that takes some time. You need to give it a minimum of 2-3 weeks to completely heal. While over-the-counter gels and creams can help treat acne, following a consistent skincare routine curated for fighting acne is the most effective and long-lasting way to get rid of acne.