Why Over-The-Counter Acne Products Aren’t Working | Acne Blog Series Pt.2
February 5, 2025
When it comes to acne solutions, the internet has a lot to say. Soap and water, medication, birth control, and over-the-counter (OTC) benzoyl peroxide are just a few common “solutions” that we are sure you have tried with no luck or want to avoid trying at all costs (and we don’t blame you!). Most acne cases are not treated by purchasing a spot-clearing lotion and pimple patch from the drugstore because there are several types and causes of acne.
Acne can’t be effectively treated until the internal root cause has been realized and addressed (learn more about discovering the root cause of your acne here). Once you know the WHY, you can start to treat the symptoms, and OTC peroxide and pimple patches aren’t going to cut it. Instead, here are our best acne treatments that work synergistically in clearing and preventing surface acne while we help you work to heal the internal root cause:
Clinical Facials for Acne
Clinical facials for acne are incredibly effective at clearing the skin and healing the skin barrier. Did you think facials were simply a self-care treat occasionally? Monthly facials are an essential component of maintaining clear, healthy skin. Every client who visits Natology for acne treatment in Calgary is recommended to follow a regular facial schedule. In a single facial, several acne-treating tools and techniques work together to clear and heal the skin. These include a deep cleanse to thoroughly clean the pores, proper extractions that won’t result in scarring or bacteria transfer, high-frequency to encourage oxygen to the skin, LED therapy to kill acne bacteria and reduce inflammation, and targeted masks and skincare.
Maintaining a regular facial schedule (every 4-6 weeks) helps prevent bacteria from building on and under the skin and releases trapped bacteria to the surface that could otherwise become inflamed and painful. The skin’s natural cell renewal cycle is every 28 days on average. This is when dead skin cells begin to clog the pores and trap bacteria, but a regular facial schedule prevents this from happening. Discover 4 more incredible benefits of regular facials.
2. Chemical Peels for Acne
Don’t let the word “chemical” scare you. Chemicals are simply substances with specific properties, and they can be natural or synthetic. In skincare, chemical compounds are used to achieve desired effects such as exfoliation, hydration, or skin rejuvenation. Targeted acne peels with a high percentage of acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and mandelic can effectively reduce acne on the skin while correcting associated discolouration (like red or purple scarring) and improving the skin’s texture by exfoliating dead skin cells, allowing trapped bacteria to surface.
Generally, a series of 3 peels is recommended, each one spaced approximately 4 weeks apart. The level of peeling that happens on the skin is different for everyone and is dependent on the type of peel used. Natology’s acne-specific peels leave clients with mild flaking and redness but nothing that requires downtime. Click here to learn more about chemical peels.
3. RF Microneedling for Acne
Traditional microneedling is not recommended for active acne due to the risk of bacteria spreading around the face, worsening acne, inflammation and irritation. What’s different about radiofrequency microneedling (RF), however, is the utilization of heat, which makes this a uniquely effective treatment for mild acne and associated scarring and pigmentation. Microneedling and RF microneedling are primarily used to promote collagen production for holistic skin rejuvenation and anti-aging and are highly effective at improving the appearance of scarring. RF microneedling’s utilization of heat not only improves the rejuvenation results and scar correction but kills mild acne bacteria in the process, leaving no risk of bacteria spreading and worsening on the skin.
4. Medical-Grade Skincare for Acne
Medical-grade skincare for acne treatment is skincare that has been thoroughly reviewed and tested by experts and contains high concentrations of targeted ingredients. While OTC skincare may not work for you, targeted skincare with high-quality ingredients is a crucial component of treating and preventing acne, especially when used in conjunction with the treatments listed above.
Medical-grade skincare is found at clinics and med spas, they do not require a prescription for use, but it is recommended that a skin consultation be had with a professional to help you tailor the right skincare regime and learn about product usage. At Natology, we carry two brands of medical-grade skincare, each with its own acne-specific line. Here are a few ingredients that we typically recommend for oily, acne-prone skin types:
Benzoyl Peroxide: We do recommend a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment for those pesky blemishes to stop them in their tracks. Often OTC formulations are ineffective because the inactive ingredients overtake the active ingredient and reduce its effectiveness, or the product is simply too harsh on the skin causing further skin barrier compromise. BPO Facial Gel by AlumierMD is our recommended choice for a spot-clearing benzoyl peroxide gel.
Encapsulated Salicylic Acid: This technology allows for a slow release of salicylic acid to the skin, reducing residual dryness common from salicylic acid and increasing its long-term effectiveness. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant; its job is to exfoliate dead skin cells that clog the pores and produce a breeding ground for bacteria. Acne Balancing Serum by AlumierMD is one of our favourite decongesting serums safe for daily use.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3): This powerful B vitamin is found in a variety of serums and is highly effective in reducing inflammation and redness associated with acne. In addition, niacinamide regulates oil production and works to fade pigmentation. Niacinamide Serum by Dermaquest is our favourite formulation for oily skin types.
Retinol: This one you must be careful with! Retinol is a superpower ingredient to incorporate into your skin regime when minor blemishes and pigmentation correction are your focus. Retinol comes in a variety of strengths, with retinoids being the strongest and requiring a prescription. For medical-grade retinol, we always recommend beginning low and slow (low in retinol percentage, and slow with weekly application) until your skin has adapted. AlumierMD’s 0.25% Retinol Resurfacing Serum is a go-to we recommend to clients who have managed their acne, repaired their skin barrier and are now focusing on resurfacing their skin.
The Best Acne Treatment for You
The best acne treatment for you is going to be a combination of treatments and skincare unique to your skin and stage of acne management. Treating and preventing acne is at the heart of Natology. Each client who visits Natology for acne treatment in Calgary is met with a customized treatment plan tailored to where they are in their acne journey and their unique skin needs. The treatments we covered above work together to clear acne symptoms, repair the skin barrier, reduce future flare-ups and address scarring.
That said, discovering the root cause is always at the forefront of every treatment plan. That may involve hormone testing, food intolerance testing, and lifestyle assessment. Remember that without addressing the underlying cause of acne, these treatments, while effective, will only help the surface-level concern and will not prevent acne from reoccurring.
Book a complimentary consultation with Natology to start your clear-skin journey!
