Acne Skincare Routine: Morning and Night
A simple routine that works with your acne treatment rather than against it: what to use, in what order, and what to leave out.
Part of our acne health guides.
Key fact: The best skincare routine for acne is a short one. A gentle cleanser, your treatment, a plain moisturiser and daily sunscreen do most of the work. Adding scrubs, acids or several actives at once mostly causes irritation, which is the commonest reason people stop treatment that would have worked.
Get acne treatment online
Access Doctor provides acne treatment following a GPhC-regulated online consultation with our pharmacist independent prescribers. For adults 18 and over.
See acne treatments →Four rules
- Treat the area, not the spot. Apply treatment to the whole area that gets spots, because it works by stopping the next spot forming.
- Gentle over harsh. Washing twice a day with a mild cleanser is enough; scrubbing makes acne worse.
- Moisturiser is part of the treatment. Most acne treatments are drying, and a plain moisturiser makes them easier to keep using.
- One new thing at a time. Add products two to four weeks apart, so you know what your skin is reacting to.
Morning routine
1
Gentle cleanser
A mild, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat dry.
2
Morning treatment, if you have one
For example benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid or a clindamycin lotion, if your prescriber has said to use it in the morning. Let it dry.
3
Light moisturiser
Oil-free and non-comedogenic.
4
Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
Every day. Many acne treatments make skin burn more easily, and sun makes dark marks last longer.
Evening routine
1
Cleanse
Remove sunscreen and make-up, then use your gentle cleanser. Pat dry and wait until your skin is completely dry.
2
Your treatment
A thin layer over the whole affected area. Retinoids (Differin, Epiduo, Treclin) usually go on at night.
3
Moisturiser
After the treatment has dried, or first as a buffer if your skin is sensitive.
Routines for common treatments
| Treatment | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Epiduo, Duac | Cleanser, moisturiser, SPF | Treatment, then moisturiser. Use white pillowcases: benzoyl peroxide bleaches |
| Treclin, Differin | Cleanser, moisturiser, SPF | Treatment at bedtime. With Treclin, don't apply other products at the same time |
| Azelaic acid (Finacea, Skinoren) | Treatment, moisturiser, SPF | Treatment, moisturiser (twice a day) |
| Clindamycin lotion or gel + benzoyl peroxide | As your prescriber advises, often clindamycin | Often benzoyl peroxide, to reduce irritation |
| Antibiotic tablet + cream or gel | Tablet as directed, cleanser, moisturiser, SPF (tablets increase sun sensitivity) | Cream or gel, moisturiser |
Always follow your prescriber's advice and the leaflet if they differ from this.
Choosing skincare products
- Cleanser: mild and fragrance-free. Foaming is fine if it doesn't leave skin tight.
- Moisturiser: oil-free, labelled non-comedogenic. "Non-comedogenic" isn't a guarantee, so notice whether a product coincides with new spots.
- Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher, in a light gel or fluid.
- Make-up: oil-free and non-comedogenic; remove it fully every night.
What to avoid
- Scrubs, brushes and harsh exfoliants, which irritate skin and spread inflammation
- Extra acids (AHAs, BHAs) or retinol on top of a prescription treatment, unless your prescriber says so
- Alcohol-based toners and heavy oils
- Toothpaste, lemon juice or other home remedies on spots
- Picking or squeezing, which makes marks and scars far more likely; see acne scars and marks
- Sunbeds
Back, chest and make-up
For the back and chest, a benzoyl peroxide wash such as Acnecide Wash, left on for 1 to 2 minutes in the shower, is often easier than a leave-on gel. Rinse hair conditioner off before washing your body, and shower promptly after exercise. See back, chest and body acne.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best skincare routine for acne?
A short one: a gentle cleanser morning and evening, your acne treatment applied to the whole affected area, a plain oil-free moisturiser, and SPF 30 or higher every morning. Adding several active products at once mostly causes irritation without clearing acne faster.
Should I apply moisturiser before or after acne treatment?
Usually after, once the treatment has dried. If your skin is sensitive, your prescriber may suggest applying a thin layer of moisturiser first as a buffer, which can reduce stinging. Either way, a plain, oil-free moisturiser makes acne treatment easier to keep using.
Should I use moisturiser if I have oily skin and acne?
Yes. Most acne treatments dry the skin, and dryness and irritation are among the commonest reasons people stop treatment. A light, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser won't make acne worse and helps you keep using what works.
Do I need sunscreen with acne treatment?
Yes. Retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and tetracycline antibiotics can all make your skin burn more easily, and sun makes the dark marks left by spots last longer. Use SPF 30 or higher every day and avoid sunbeds.
Can I use retinol or acids with my acne treatment?
Not without asking your prescriber. Adding retinol, AHAs or BHAs on top of a prescription retinoid or benzoyl peroxide usually increases irritation without clearing acne faster. If you want to add something, introduce one product at a time, two to four weeks apart.
How many times a day should I wash my face with acne?
Twice a day is enough, with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Washing more often or scrubbing hard irritates the skin and can make acne worse. Acne isn't caused by dirt.
Not sure which treatment suits you?
Complete a short online consultation about your skin and any treatments you have tried. A GPhC-registered pharmacist prescriber recommends a treatment and, if it is suitable, we dispatch it from our UK pharmacy. For adults 18 and over.
Start Acne Consultation →References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Acne vulgaris: management (NG198). nice.org.uk/guidance/ng198
- NHS. Acne. nhs.uk/conditions/acne
- British Association of Dermatologists. Acne: patient information leaflet. bad.org.uk
- Summaries of product characteristics for each medicine named, electronic medicines compendium. medicines.org.uk/emc
Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Most of the treatments mentioned are prescription-only, so a clinical consultation is needed before they can be supplied. Many acne treatments must not be used in pregnancy. Always follow your prescriber's advice and the leaflet. In a medical emergency, call 999.