Clear, honest information about acne, skin and what actually helps
Written by careful researchers who read the studies. We are not dermatologists — and we say so on every page.
Acne Cut Editorial Team 
Skin purging is a temporary increase in breakouts that can happen when a product speeds up skin cell turnover, pushing existing clogged material to the surface faster than usual. A bad reaction is different: it’s irritation or new breakouts caused by a product that doesn’t suit the skin, and it tends to keep getting worse … Read more
Yes — most acne-prone skin still benefits from a moisturiser, and skipping it can make things worse, not better. Oily or breakout-prone skin can still be dehydrated or barrier-stressed, especially once treatments like benzoyl peroxide or retinoids come into the picture. The right moisturiser supports skin rather than feeding acne. Why does oily skin need … Read more
For most people with acne-prone skin, twice a day is the amount that tends to work best — once in the morning and once at night, plus a rinse after heavy sweating. Washing more often than that usually strips the skin rather than helping it, and can end up making breakouts look worse, not better. … Read more
Patch testing means applying a small amount of a new product to a limited area of skin — often the inner forearm or behind the ear — and waiting a few days to see if it causes redness, itching, stinging or breakouts before using it on the face. It’s a low-cost way to catch a … Read more
Introducing one product at a time matters because it’s the only way to know what’s actually causing a change in your skin. Add three new things at once and, if something stings, breaks you out, or seems to help, there’s no way to tell which one did it. One at a time keeps the cause … Read more
Most skincare products need somewhere between four and twelve weeks of steady use before it’s fair to say whether they’re doing anything. Cleansers and moisturisers can show their hand faster — often one to two weeks. Actives that work on acne, like retinoids or BHA, generally need longer, and skin often looks a bit worse … Read more
A simple acne routine is usually four steps: a gentle cleanser, one active ingredient aimed at acne, a plain moisturiser, and sunscreen in the morning. The skill is in going slowly — one new product at a time — rather than piling on extras. It is tempting to buy a full shelf of products the … Read more
No. Oily skin means the skin produces more sebum than average; acne-prone skin means it tends to form clogged pores and breakouts. Most people with acne-prone skin do have oily skin, but plenty of people with oily skin never break out, and some people with dry or normal skin still get acne. The confusion is … Read more
No. Makeup does not automatically make acne worse — what matters more is the formula, how thick it is, whether it’s cleaned off properly, and how it interacts with the products already on the skin. Some formulas are more likely to clog pores than others, but “wearing makeup” on its own is not the trigger … Read more
Mostly, no. “Detox” products for acne — teas, drinks, masks, patches — are built around a marketing idea, not a biological one. Skin does not store toxins that a tea or mask can pull out, and there is no good evidence that these products change how acne forms. Some may help skin feel temporarily smoother, … Read more
8 of 26 letters have an entry so far. We would rather show the gaps than pad the index.
Written by careful researchers who read the studies. We are not dermatologists, and we say so on every page.
Medical disclaimer. Acne Cut publishes general information about skin and acne. It is not medical advice, it is not a diagnosis, and it is not a substitute for speaking to a doctor or pharmacist about your own skin. We do not recommend prescription treatments or give doses. If your acne is painful, scarring, getting worse, or affecting how you feel day to day, please talk to a doctor — going early is not an overreaction.
About what you read here. Everything on Acne Cut is general information and our own editorial opinion. We research carefully and we say when the evidence is unclear, but we can be wrong, things change, and no article can know your particular situation. Please do your own research and make your own judgement rather than treating anything here as the final word. This is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for speaking to a doctor or dermatologist about your own acne and skin. We are writers and researchers, not clinicians. We do not recommend prescription treatments or give doses. If something is painful, getting worse, or worrying you, please talk to a professional — going early is not an overreaction.