Routine type
A medium-strength routine for mild to moderate acne (comedones, papules, occasional pustules). Severe or cystic acne deserves a dermatologist's plan.
Who it is for
- People with persistent congestion, blackheads, and inflammatory bumps.
- Adult hormonal acne, especially around chin and jaw.
- Anyone whose current acne routine is over-drying without solving the underlying issue.
Morning steps
- Gentle gel cleanser, lukewarm water.
- Niacinamide 10% serum.
- Lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
- Broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 (gel or fluid).
Evening steps
- Oil cleanse → gel cleanse (or salicylic acid cleanser).
- Mon/Wed/Fri: Adapalene 0.1% (pea-size for entire face).
- Tue/Thu/Sat: Salicylic acid 2% leave-on.
- Sun: rest night, ceramide moisturizer only.
- Always finish: light ceramide moisturizer.
Weekly treatments
- Benzoyl peroxide 2.5–5% spot treatment on individual active inflammatory lesions (morning or evening; avoid layering with retinoids in the same step except adapalene-BP combos).
- Clay or sulfur mask once a week if congested (skip if dry).
- Azelaic acid 10% can replace one of the active nights for users with rosacea overlap or persistent PIH.
Common mistakes
- Stacking adapalene + BHA + BP in one night. Pick one per night.
- Daily clay masks — sebum rebound and dehydration.
- Skipping moisturizer "because oily." Dehydrated skin makes more oil.
- Picking. Stop. PIH lasts months longer than the pimple did.
- Stopping at week 4 because "it's not working." Acne actives take 12 weeks.
Product recommendations
Budget
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.
- Differin Adapalene 0.1% Gel.
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution.
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%.
- CeraVe AM Facial Lotion SPF 30.
Mid-tier
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel.
- Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid.
- Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%.
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF 50+.
Luxury
- SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel.
- SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense.
- EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46.
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Seasonal adjustments
- Winter: reduce active nights by one; use richer moisturizer.
- Summer: increase niacinamide layer, switch to gel SPF.
- Travel: keep adapalene + a single moisturizer + SPF; everything else is optional.