Acne FAQ: Dermatologist's View on Acne and Clogged Pores

There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding how to treat acne so we wanted to debunk and give you honest advice here:

Q: Do I need to see a dermatologist or aesthetician?

A: Over 95% of the people who have acne can treat using non-prescription products without paying big bucks to see a dermatologist or aesthetician.

So why are acne, blackheads, clogged pores and whiteheads so prevalent when the tools to manage them are readily available?

Most people are using the wrong products or are using them improperly.

Also there is too much focus on products that treat a breakout after it has already surfaced when the focus should be on stopping lesions from surfacing in the first place.

Atropic scarring left behind from acne lesions are very difficult to repair later on in life. Scar repair is usually what leads to costly visits to the dermatologist.

Over 80% of the people who sign up for our ClearlyRx subscription platform are first recommended to use our Clear Out lotion instead of signing up since the Clear Out is already sufficient to stop new breakouts without requiring prescription acne medications.


Q: What non-prescription tools do I have to stop acne?

A: Benzyol Peroxide (BP) is your first line treatment for acne. There is a common misconception that BP should only be applied as a spot treatment option AFTER the acne lesion has already surfaced.

However, BP is more effective being applied BEFORE the breakout occurs.

Spread a thin layer of BP across acne prone areas of your face as a preventative measure.

If BP has not worked for you, step up by using retinol+AZA to flush out dead skin cells inside your pores.

The oil on the surface of skin is a complex mixture of sebum, lipids (from the surface skin cells), sweat and dirt. Dead skin mixed with this oil production creates the plugs which clog your pores and the Clear Out will flush out this dead skin so clogs are less likely to form.

The Clear Out hits acne from multiple angles by blending multiple active ingredients that work together and at the same time simplifies your skincare routine. It is gentle enough to be left on overnight where it has enough time to penetrate deep into the pore.

This product packs quite a punch so only apply every alternate night until your skin adjusts to the strength. From there you can step up to nightly application:

 

Q: Are there different tools needed for different types of acne?

A: There are simple solutions for the types of acne which commonly occur on the face:

Bacterial acne is the most common and can be managed using BP and the Clear Out.

Fungal acne is less common and the most convenient treatment would be to introduce anti-dandruff shampoo into your shower routine alongside the Clear Out.

Leave the shampoo onto affected areas for three minutes so the anti-fungal ingredients in the shampoo will help to abate the itchy, whitehead-looking breakouts.

If you need stronger medication to treat fungal acne or if you have cystic or nodular acne, consider seeing a dermatologist for prescription medication.

If you are not sure what type of acne affects you, feel free to send us a selfie via Facebook Messenger.

Q: What about XYZ product that I am currently using?

A: If the products in your routine are not stopping acne lesions from surfacing, discontinue use.

The rookie mistake is to keep adding ineffective products into your routine in the hopes that they will work in combination to stop breakouts.

Simplify and use a single high quality product that is effective in stopping the breakouts from surfacing.

We get a lot of people who use overpriced cleansers, masks or scrubs which have little or no effect on stopping acne.

This is because cleansers, masks and scrubs are not left on long enough to penetrate deep into the pore to make a difference.

If you have questions about a product, click “Send Message” from our Facebook page and we can give you guidance.

Q: Should I stop wearing makeup if I have acne?

A: You don’t have to stop wearing makeup altogether, but you might try switching brands or going with a different type. If you’re noticing breakouts along the sides of your temples, hair creams or gels might be exacerbating your acne.

Look for cosmetics and toiletries with the label “non-comedogenic” meaning that they don’t clog pores.

Q: Can what I eat cause acne breakouts?

A: The short answer is YES. What you eat can increase or decrease sebum production. However, it isn’t what you’d expect. Avoid foods which boost sebum production and therefore trigger more breakouts on acne-prone skin. Learn more here.


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#RealResults

See what others have to say about Clearly Basics.

Based on 25 reviews
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Skin Type: Normal
Comments: Any ideas on how to get rid of brown skin damage
Skin defence

Marks of sun damage are still there they haven't faded much after using twice a day for 60 days. . I will continue until product is finished. I'm a bit disappointed

Skin Type: Combination

I am so happy that I stumbled upon clearly basics on instagram. I was skeptical at first but decided to give it a try and bought clear out clarifying lotion. It's been 2 months and my skin has improved a lot. I can see significant reduction in pores and acne.

Skin Type: Combination
Amazing

After years of medication and products, I decided to try clearly basics. In just 6 weeks my skin has calmed and I am now able to treat scarring.

So glad to have found these products!

Finding products that helped to control my acne without irritating my sensitive skin has always been a huge challenge. The clearly basics products have been my saviour, I can't recommend them enough ☺️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Excellent and actually works

I am so incredibly impressed with the TLC for pore minimising - it 💯 works and has transformed my skin.

I’m in my 50’s and always had hormonal flare ups with larger pores as I age - this is a game changer and have just reordered my 3rd bottle !

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Skin Type: Combination
This is the stuff.

So, long time sufferer of acne. Started when I was 12 and I'm 28 now still battling it. I've tried all kinds of different things to try and get it under control and besides birth control, nothing has helped long term. I never want to take birth control ever again and I just happened upon this brand and decided well, why not try? To my amazement, it has helped more than anything else I've tried, I'd say it has improved my skin to the level it was at when I took BC. Of course I still get pimples every now and then, and tiny flare ups during PMS but my skin is nowhere near as bad as it used to be. I highly recommend this company. To those who are considering trying this out, be aware that during the first week or so your skin will go through a purge and your acne will appear to get worse at first. Stick with it! Once that phase is over is when your skin will begin improving. I do need to use it every night for it to be fully effective, but even when I do forget, the pimples don't get too out of control. I just can't say enough good things about this product. It has helped my confidence improve immensely and I definitely recommend trying it to those who have skin as finicky as mine.

Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
The only moisturiser I trust

I am super sensitive and this is the only moisturiser that I trust honestly incredible.

Skin Type: Combination
Amazing!

I use this product and with the clear out and it has really helped my hormonal acne.

Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
Here one day, gone the next!

After success with Clearly Basics for my acne scars, I stocked up with all of the active acne products to prepare myself for how angry my acne would get when going off hormonal birth control. I have tried and failed twice as my acne comes back so bad that I just start taking it again. This time I have been using clearly basics without fail every day (lighten up and clear out). I have had 3 pimples start to form and I use ‘Stop Spot’ and the next day instead of a much redder, much angrier pimple with a big white head - the pimple is gone! I have been very happy with this product. I’m one month down (typically when acne gets the worst) - let’s do this!

I love that these products are gentle on my daughter skin.

This skin care routine is the o lay one that has helped clear up my daughters skin.

My daughters skin is really starting to look better!

Skin Type: Oily
So far so good

Bought this for my daughter that has struggled with acne for years. She has seen improvement and less frequent breakouts.

Best moisturizer I have found!

V
Lighten Up Redness Rescue Cream
Veronica Ilenya Ranieri
Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
Perfect

Has changed my skin from acne pro to almost perfect 😍😍

Skin Type: Combination
Obsessed !!

Obsessed with this cleanser!! It left me feeling fresh and prevented break outs. It is incredible . Loved this product so much

My skin feels so soft after using this moisturiser!

My skin feels so soft after using this moisturiser!

Skin Type: Combination
Fresh and clean!

My face is filled with energy and feels so fresh and clean!

Skin Type: Normal
excellent item!

have been using this for years! so good for my skin :)

C
So Fresh pH Balancing Cleanser
Carmelinda Di Manno
Skin Type: Combination
Fresh Feeling

My skin feels so clean and still hydrated when I use this cleanser. It’s balancing and refreshing. My skin has responded really well to it and at times my skin can be sensitive. I highly recommend this product to anyone with relatively oily t-zone area

Skin Type: Combination
Very happy!

Love the texture, the minty scent and the lather.
I wish the bottles were a bit bigger HOWEVER they are just small enough to fly with.

Skin Type: Normal
Comments: The only thing I now need to use to keep my skin clear.
The holy grail for clearing hormonal acne.

This is the only product that I have needed to keep my skin clear since discovering it about 2 years ago, after suddenly developing cystic hormonal acne at the age of 25. I now only need to use it every second night, so it's incredibly affordable. It has also never irritated my sensitive skin and it has faded previous acne marks to truly clear my skin. After years of trying expensive supplements/products/harsh prescription creams, Clear Out was the only thing that gave me long-lasting results.

Skin Type: Oily
Clearly Basics is the only product that has helped my Adult Acne

I have always struggled with dehydrated acne prone skin. Every month like clockwork I would get a new breakout on my chin or cheek area. These included large cystic acne that by the time they came to a head would take me months to clear. With new breakouts each month this created more & more spots before the first could heal leaving more hyper pigmentation spots that never have time to clear. Clearly basics changed all that for me. It gave my skin a chance to heal and reduced the number of breakouts each month. When I do get a new breakout it resolves itself quickly with less scarring and redness. Now that the acne is under control the products are helping to eliminate the remaining hyper pigmentation spots left from years of acne. I have not been using the product for long but I will continuing relying on this product and look forward to the day I can happily look in the mirror at a smooth clear & even complexion some day soon.

Skin Type: Combination
Comments: Product consistency in terms of smoothness/coarseness/stickiness/ is sometimes a miss, don't believe it affects the result provided.
Great Combo

Have seen great improvements by using these 2 items concurrently, hard to fault and wil continue purchasing.

Individual results may vary

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