Dermatologists Best Skincare Ingredients for Acne (Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, Benzoyl Peroxide, & More)

[@parker3138]

Would love a video dedicated to advice on using topical retinoids alongside other acne-fighting ingredients. Use in the same routine? Order of application? Different routines? Morning / night vs different days? Etc. Thanks!! And just in general which skincare ingredients not to combine.

[@cosmixeditz505]

Your channel is criminally underrated...it needs more subs !...BTW LOVE YOU AND YOUR CONTENT Dr.Sam ! :)

[@Leslie_M]

Yes for the video on oral medications for acne! My face responds well to topical treatments but my back needs more help.

[@urbanfabchic]

Great video! Can you do a video with recommendations for body acne and hyperpigmentation?

[@DrSamEllis]

Thank you! I do have a youtube video on body breakouts and hyperpigmentation!

[@julietpackard9236]

I’m 32 with hormonal acne on the chin and cheeks and I’m prescribed clindamycin 1%. At night I use the clindamycin after the CeraVe benzoyl peroxide acne cleanser and before the Neutrogena AM benzoyl stubborn acne treatment. I’ve noticed my break-outs dramatically shrink in size by the time I’ve woken up in the morning. And my skin isn’t too dry or irritated as long as I use a hydrating moisturizer. Before finding this trio, nothing has ever worked as well for me, besides tretinoan, but I’m currently trying to get pregnant and avoiding retinoids.

[@godsgoodness7546]

Loved this video Dr.! Thank you so much for thoroughly explaining each ingredient. Could you possibly do a video on the best time of day to wear these ingredients.

[@alone_highway]

Hello Dr Sam! Please kindly explain why retinoids sometimes make our skin extremely oily. There is no information on the Internet, but so many people complain about it on Reddit :( You’re our last hope!

[@DrSamEllis]

Hi! So although topical retinoids should not increase your oil production, they can disrupt your skin barrier (temporarily) which can lead to excess oil being released to the upper/outer layers of your skin. It's the same reason why over-cleansing (and in turn irritating) the scalp can make it oilier-the disrupted skin barrier essentially spills oil onto the skin's surface. Not everyone will experience this, but this is the postulated mechanism by which the increased oiliness occurs. Hope that helps!

[@alone_highway]

@@DrSamEllis Thank you for your response! I was on topical retinoids for two years though, and that oiliness just never went away :(

[@linn4511]

@@alone_highway I also experience this. I already have very oily skin and using adapalene for 3+years I felt even more oily. I found that adding niacinamide, peptides and ceramides really helped down curb the oiliness.

[@ha11ejo3L073]

@@linn4511 yes, yes, and yes! Niacinamide, zinc and salicylic acid (when used correctly, of course) helped my retinoid oiliness! I love retinoids so much that I was determined to find something to work with them!

[@lachousalle31]

Adapalene has been amazing for getting rid of zits, while benzoyl peroxide just gives me a bunch more zits.

[@avan9639]

Can we get a video on darker skin tone ingredients for skin care to avoid?

[@adrianacannizzaro]

Hi Dr. Ellis ! Could you do a video on treating PIE specifically? Thanks, I love your videos !

[@raquelvictoria2399]

Was on isotretinoin for 2.5 months only because horrible migraines that were debilitating & lasted 3+ hours. Had flawless skin for 2 years while on BCP but ever since switching from BCP to mirena my skin has returned to its starting point acne which is pretty bad. Just being patient w my tretinoin, salicylic, & benzoyl peroxide. Giving it the 12 weeks to see if it will improve as you said.

[@nguyenmanhcuong9081]

Thanks for sharing, this video was really informative. I hope you made a video all about isotretinoin, how to take care of the skin after finishing the course to prevent future breakout and some procedures to treat PIH or PIE

[@geremycampos4618]

How do you know when you may need a higher percentage of tretinoin? I have combo-oily skin and still experience multiple breakouts a week at .025% Tret and have been on it for over a year. My most recent skincare routine does consist of AM - Naturium BP Cleanser - AmorePacific Essence - Naturium SA Serum - Naturium Azelaic Acid Emulsion - Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer (if I feel dry) - Biore SPF50 PA+++ PM - Naturium BP Cleanser - AmorePacific Essence - Naturium Azelaic Acid Serum - Tretinoin Prescription - Naturiu Ceramide Cream or Naturium Marshmellow Balm

[@geremycampos4618]

Omg yes please do an oral acne meds video!

[@PassionPno]

Maybe swap the AZ serum for a prescription one. And up your tretinoin to 0.05%.

[@geremycampos4618]

@@PassionPno I was thinking the same thing! I have an appt with my Derm in Sept. so we'll see what they suggest as well. Thanks!

[@dianemagnussen3138]

Question- I just asked my doctor to prescribe topical dapsone based on this video, and based on a video I watched of yours yesterday I ordered benzolperoxide. I’m new to acne, I’ve only had it for a week. I’m menopausal, I am 54, very much. When you say that it can create an orange residue, you don’t mean that my face is going to turn orange permanently, correct? Just that I might not want to go to a fancy event?

[@thesacredbombshell]

Thanks I was literally about to buy this bar soap and I've heard a lot about naturium as a brand--- I'm going to give it a try! Thanks!

[@anitamiko9975]

Thanks for this video. I’m dying to know what kind of necklace you’re wearing in this. Please share if you know where to buy. Thanks

[@amberhaggenjos9007]

Hi! Love your videos and congrats on your beautiful baby! I have a question I use the benzoyl peroxide face wash 4%. I see there is a new 10% one. Is it better to use 4% or 10%? Thank you

[@mberianidze]

I've been using Differin for 4 months consistently (at least 6 times per week) for acne. My skin tone has improved so much and my pores are barely visible, I don't get irritation or redness, but I still get pimples regularly (4-5 per week sometime even more). I started to think my acne was better regulated before when I used benzol peroxide gel, but I hear and read everywhere that Adapeline is the most effective treatment. I'm confused, I don't know if I should quit Differin and continue with Benzol Peroxide or continue with Differin for a few more months and hope for change. Thank you in advance for your help.

[@ha11ejo3L073]

Hi, I’m not Dr. Sam but I’m a fellow Differin user. I’ve found that using differin is similar to using a retinol (I know it’s a derivative). I use Sal Acid/benzoyl and niacinamide WITH differin (not at the same time) and I’ve found that’s really cute down on everyday pimples. If you want to give up differin completely and go back to benzoyl peroxide gel, do it. I recommend adding a retinol to keep the benefits of the skin tone and pore reduction!

[@ha11ejo3L073]

Cut not cute lol. Also, I’m a stranger on the internet with no dermatological experience. This is just what’s worked for ME. :)

[@eobrien1]

I’d also ask your derm about bumping up to tretinoin and if it would be right for you. I used differin for like 8 years and had all the wonderful benefits you mention, but I never really got the acne control I needed. Tretinoin has helped so much in that regard and fades my post acne marks so much faster too. I also, weirdly, have way less irritation using tret cream than differin gel.

[@george743]

i’d love to hear about oral medication for acne, specifically isotretinoin!

[@Vernsandfamilyreviews]

Thank you Dr. Sam.. May I ask please, if I can use cerave acne gel in the morning, and adapalene at night, using both with cerave moisturising lotion with niacenamide for daily use? Please, reply..🥺 Thanks in advance..

[@pavot5834]

Hello! Are there any specific sunscreen we should use when we have acne to help prevent breakouts ? Are all sunscreen acne safe ?

[@giuliacandia1856]

It’s so unfortunate that in Europe we have so little access to products with benzoyl peroxide 😢

[@sophiefrandsen5685]

Benzaknen is an option

[@TheTheFlr]

Hello Dr. Sam. Thanks for the video, super insightful! If someone does suffer from benzoyl peroxide allergy or sensitivity, how should they use clindamycin? Can using a retinoid decrease the risk of antibiotic resistance? Thanks in advance!

[@amandaconnelly3226]

First thank you so much for all of your content. I’ve learned so much!!! Do you know what percent niacinamide is in the naturium sulphur tx please?

[@lizettefuentes8449]

Please tell me what u recommend for Cystic Acne?

[@jgoel3266]

I enjoy Dr. Sam's videos, but this seems too much like an ad for Naturium (sp?).

[@_MayaMaya_]

Is the Cerave cream to foam cleanser gentle enough to use with my tretinoin? I always hear about the regular hydrating cleanser (and use that in the winter months) but during the summer I need a more “traditional” cleanser. What are your thoughts?

[@roachqueen4777]

That’s the cleanser my derm recommended when I was given tretinoin. I’ve tried the regular hydrating one and it didn’t clean my face properly and I broke out.

[@ellahanna6675]

When i was seeing my derm and first got my tretinoin, she recommended the hydrating cream to foam cleanser. Still use it. It’s really good

[@sarinagersten]

This video was so helpful!!

[@vijayrajvanshi05]

Hey doc kindly tell me whether I should go for Benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid.I have a bit of bigger size pus acne, inflammation. and I also have oily skin and Whiteheads over there.I will eagerly waiting for your reply 😊.

[@miaconte6930]

Do you recommend this cleanser over panoxyl for the face?

[@stephnydaniels7976]

Hi I'm new here.....so unfortunately I just noticed I have chest acne..... usually it comes and goes but this time around I used m body sponge and it escalated... currently using the Neutrogena body wash with salicylic acid and grapefruit with an antibiotic oral medication but I don't know....don't have a moisturizer, I'm thinking of opting for the CeraVe body cleanser with benzoyl peroxide and the CeraVe SA smoothing cream as moisturizer. What do you think?

[@killaki24]

So what do you do after using clindamycin and BP for a while and skin has gotten better?

[@galato4234]

Could be used in the same routine at night Benzoyl peroxide wash, moisturize and then use Tretinoin Gel Spheres? I want to use Vitamin C in the morning and I tried one time with BP wash and I experience orange coloring around my hair line, not inflammation but I just wanted to make sure. Thank you.

[@JessicaSmithPhD]

If Adapalene (specifically Differin) hasn’t reduced breakouts, would tretinoin be a next step? I’m 40 and still struggle with routine inflammatory acne and congested pores. Thank you!

[@PassionPno]

Have you tried combining it with Azelaic acid?

[@JessicaSmithPhD]

@@PassionPno I haven’t! I’ll have to research that combo. Has that worked for you or others you know?

[@PassionPno]

@@JessicaSmithPhD It's supposed to work really well together. Many dermatologists prescribe this combination.

[@JessicaSmithPhD]

@@PassionPno Thank you so much for the tip! I appreciate it.

[@_SunscreenQueen_]

I combined my adapalene with benzoyl peroxide, basically making a homemade Epiduo which is a prescription, and it worked sooo well I only had to do it for a few months. Now I just wash with the cerave foaming BP cleanser, leave it on a few minutes, wash then apply adapalene then my moisturizer

[@suhalaalam7944]

Hey dr. Sam, I’m really struggling to get my acne under control. I’ve been using arazlo for 5 months. I double cleanse at night with micellar water and the fresh soy cleanser. I use the Paula’s choice oil free moisturizer and still I am getting inflammatory acne and tiny white bumps on my skin. Is the arazlo not going to work for me?

[@emaans155]

The sad part is that naturium isnt in Canadian drugstores...and i am curious if you reccommend any other salclic acid or benzyl porxide cleansers

[@suhalaalam7944]

Can prescription retinoids increase PIE? Also I’ve been using arazlo every night for 4 months and I still get really dry and peel. Not as much as before but I still do

[@rnoor9078]

I have a really bad friction burn on my arm. Its left behind a terrible scar & pigmentation 😥. What can i use to improve this? Xxx

[@cfvcafrava3162]

Thanks for sharing but I've read that it's better to use chemical sunscreen prior moisturizer what are your thoughts?

[@DrSamEllis]

Disagree! It's really important for sunscreen to be able to make an even film across the skin, and that is easier to ensure when it's applied on top of moisturizer (or as your moisturizer since many "chemical" SPFs are also quite moisturizing).

[@jiromarc7873]

Great video. Thank you. ❤

[@janiemalenfant2589]

Hi Dr Sam! I heard you say before that you cant train your skin to be less oily. Is there products to reduce it either by prescription or not? I am 37 and i cant tolarate it anymore!!!

[@janiemalenfant2589]

Oh yeah i tried tretinoine for 2 years and not tolarate it well and really not less oily

[@PassionPno]

Niacinamide and BHA.

[@eobrien1]

Azelaic acid (I use Rx 15% gel) has helped me tremendously. Also salicylic acid cleanser

[@mahzabindyuti8311]

Hello Dr. Sam, would you please tell us if we can use 0.1% adapalene as a anti aging retinoid?

[@DrSamEllis]

Yep you can :)

[@BelleFleurMakeup]

I’m supper allergic to benzoyl peroxide my face swells and forms open sores, my eyes basically swell shut and I’m itchy where it was used. I guess I’m rare, but also sucks because it’s always the first recommendation.

[@DrSamEllis]

Ugh I’m sorry! Yes it’s a rare allergy but I definitely have had a few patients over the year who’ve had the same experience.

[@hula691]

I had the same reaction to sulfur. I was given a topical from a dermatologist for rosacea and my face swelled up and my body was covered in hives. They had me take benedryl, but my face was red for awhile.

[@heenanehra20]

Can anyone please tell me if I can use Salicylic acid cleaner with Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% gel as spot treatment ?

[@ariannepine3157]

Hi Dr Ellis! Could you please share when should children start a skin care routine? When at the earliest is one supposed to wear daily sunscreen? For me that entails also a thorough cleanse and possibly also a moisturizer. But that can be daunting for many adults, let alone children! I'm not even pregnant yet but my brain just wouldn't leave me be on this topic 😂

[@dynamicworlds1]

Hi, if you don't mind a totally amateur response just to help satisfy your curiosity, sun protection is always good at any age as that damage is all cumulative. I don't know if there are any of those products that are unsafe for very young children, but in principle, UV protection is a good thing. As for the other steps of your skincare routine, I would probably skip those. My (again, non-professional) understanding is that the skin of young kids is typically perfectly fine on its own (outside of preventing sunburns of course) and is more likely to have problems from sensitivity in what is put on it than from problems that need something to be put on it. That would also simplify things down to a level that is easier on the child. Often problems with things like dryness, or acne, or being too oily etc don't start until at least puberty and the skin is still thin enough before that where exfoliation is probably unnecessary at best. Hopefully my limited and unreliable knowledge is at least enough to help satisfy your curiosity.

[@_SunscreenQueen_]

Esthetician here!! As stated below start spf from day one! But make sure it’s a very gentle mineral formula to avoid irritation. You can start a gentle cleanser and moisturizer when they are 5-7, and can start treatment products, especially for acne, when they are going through puberty. Try a salicylic acid wash or a benzoyl peroxide wash (leave it on a few minutes for best results). A benzoyl peroxide or sulfur ( which is more gentle but takes more time) spot treatment can be very good but extremely drying. If the issue is just excess oiliness, try a low percentage Niacinamide. Gentle clay masks (urban skin rx, honest beauty, and and Image all have great clay masks) can be used once a week but make sure to moisturize well after and stop if there is any dryness. Avoid oil free products. Also obviously all the Naturiumproducts are great, but some can be a bit strong for teenagers. And please don’t combine all the ingredients. Try and test to see what works best :)

[@hdjebbejs]

Dr sam can we layer leave on bha with a vitamin C derivative ? Will it cancel each other .

[@DrSamEllis]

They should generally be okay when used together (though you have to take the specific formulations of each product into consideration). Also be mindful that more irritation may occur when used together.

[@dominiquadontworry123]

Are these all pregnancy safe?

[@PassionPno]

No.

[@AwkwardFX]

This video is an advertisement for Naturium LOL

[@maricelg777]

Thanks Dr. Ellis 🤍👋

[@coffeelover4642]

Paid partnership…sigh

[@Riskr3d]

Either way it’s a skincare brand a lot of dermatologist love

[@jilliansmith8080]

So? If you don't trust her because of your judgments not truths than don't watch. I don't understand why that's so hard.

[@andrew4809]

none of these are effective

[@selamhazel4708]

For YOU

[@avapilsen]

You may need Accutane