--- title: "How to Get Rid of Acne: Top Causes and Tips for Clear Skin" description: Acne is a frustrating skin struggle for many of us, but the path to clear skin is still achievable. Learn what causes acne and tips for improving your complexion. image: https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/How%20to%20avoid%20Acne.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.healthone.ca/how-to-get-rid-of-acne-common-causes-and-tips-for-clear-skin#main-content) [![HealthOne-CMYK](https://blog.healthone.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/HealthOne-CMYK.png?width=250&height=51&name=HealthOne-CMYK.png)](https://blog.healthone.ca/) - [healthone.ca](https://healthone.ca/) - [Our Story](https://healthone.ca/about-us/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [healthone.ca](https://healthone.ca/) - [Our Story](https://healthone.ca/about-us/) Skin # How to Get Rid of Acne: Top Causes and Tips for Clear Skin Acne is a frustrating skin struggle for many of us, but the path to clear skin is still achievable. Learn what causes acne and tips for improving your complexion.  ![Maria Thanasi, Medical Aesthetician](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/Maria.png) Reviewed by: Maria Thanasi, Medical Aesthetician ![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/clock.svg)Last Updated: September 16, 2026 . ![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/How%20to%20avoid%20Acne.png) Last Updated: September 16, 2026 . ### Table of Content One of the most common skin conditions that people face is acne. It affects most of us at some point in our lives, especially during our teen years. Acne can come in mild, moderate and severe forms. For individuals who suffer from acne, it can have real emotional impacts. It’s frustrating, especially from a cosmetic perspective. It can lead to a crisis of self-confidence. You don’t like the way you look. Going to school, work, or just heading out into the public can be excruciating. It’s not fun. But there are pathways to clear skin. Everything comes down to determining the type of acne you have, the causes of it, and figuring out the best path that’s unique to your situation. ## What Is Acne? The exact causes of acne, both external and internal, are tough to pinpoint with any kind of exactitude, particularly dietary causes of acne or something like inadequate face washing. Basically, [acne is caused when hormones, dead skin, skin oils and bacteria come together](https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/skin-disorders/acne-and-related-disorders/acne), resulting in inflammation and blockage of hair follicles. The skin contains many different hair follicles, or pores. Those follicles become infected. Acne causes pimples and other skin abnormalities on the face, neck, shoulder, back and upper chest. There are [different kinds of acne](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/symptoms-causes/syc-20368047), varying in size and severity. There are blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, raised, solid bumps, surface bumps, or more serious kinds. Those are deeper and firmer or are larger, deeper pockets, like cysts and abscesses. The type and severity can be diagnosed by a doctor, as a first step. ## What Causes Acne? Pinpointing the exact cause of acne breakouts can be challenging. There are numerous factors, some more in our control than others, that can lead to the formation of acne. There are certain cosmetics, lotions, soaps, or cleaners that clog the skin’s pores and can cause acne. Also, many of us have noticed an increase in acne on hot and humid summer days, especially after wearing tight clothing. During puberty, increased hormone levels stimulate the sebaceous glands, located in the middle layer of the skin, which secrete an oily substance called sebum. Sebum [keeps your skin soft](https://www.healthline.com/health/skin/acne#causes). When the skin follicles are blocked, and sebum can’t leave through the pores, that’s when you get acne. That’s why it’s particularly prevalent during teenage years. Acne might also occur during the menstrual cycle for women. It could also worsen during pregnancy. With more people, acne lessens as they get into their 20s because hormone levels decrease. Many people like to point to eating too much chocolate or greasy food as a cause. There is [no scientific support for this.](https://www.healthline.com/health/skin/acne#risk-factors) However, it’s safe to say there are risks in a diet rich in sugars and carbohydrates (on top of the overall health risks in diets that score high in those areas). The bottom line is that most of us get it or have had it. The question is determining the right path to deal with it and get rid of it. ![Causes Of Acne](https://blog.healthone.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Jan%20-%20Acne%20get%20rid%20causes_2.jpg?width=900&name=Jan%20-%20Acne%20get%20rid%20causes_2.jpg) ## How To Get Rid of Acne Preventative measures include washing your face daily with a mild soap to remove oil and dirt from your skin. Using makeup that doesn’t clog the skin pores is also good. So is not picking at pimples, which can spread bacteria and oil. If you have acne, there are various treatments. For example, with blackheads or whiteheads, there are a variety of cleaners, lotions, and spot treatments at the pharmacy. You might try benzoyl peroxide. That’s present in most acne creams or gels that you can pick up at your pharmacy. It dries out existing pimples and kills acne-causing bacteria. Talk to a [dermatologist](https://healthoneskinclinic.ca/our-team/dr-avee-naidoo/), if need be, for advice. For moderate and severe acne, there are also stronger topical creams like prescription [retinoic acid](https://www.verywellhealth.com/acne-treatment-with-topical-retinoids-1069599#:~:text=Topical%20retinoids%20are%20a%20class,applied%20directly%20to%20the%20skin.) (helps create new skin cells, which push dead skin cells and oil out of blocked pores) or medicines with higher concentrations of active ingredients, like azelaic acid, or [topical antibiotics](https://www.apostrophe.com/blog/prescription-vs-otc-acne-treatment/). For acne that’s not responding to other treatments, the doctor will prescribe the medication isotretinoin by mouth. It works by decreasing facial oil (sebum) production. The doctor might also prescribe oral antibiotics. Then there are treatments to remove damaged skin and reduce skin oil production, like [dermabrasion](https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-dermabrasion#1), where a plastic surgeon or dermatologist “sands” your skin with a special instrument. A [chemical peel](https://healthoneskinclinic.ca/services/facials-peels/) removes the top layers of skin. Cortisone injections (cortisone is a steroid naturally produced by your body) are something your doctor might recommend to help reduce inflammation and speed healing, in support of other treatments. Photodynamic therapy is interesting [si](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319256)[nce it’s becoming more popular](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319256). It’s a form of light therapy for severe acne. A solution is applied topically that causes abnormal cells to produce light-absorbing molecules called porphyrins. And that allows the light treatment to better target the cells and bacteria causing the acne. This treatment also reduces the size and activity of oil-producing glands on the skin. ![Photodynamic therapy](https://blog.healthone.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Jan%20-%20Acne%20get%20rid%20causes_3.jpg?width=900&name=Jan%20-%20Acne%20get%20rid%20causes_3.jpg) ## How To Remove Acne Scars Acne breakouts are bad enough. But the scarring that severe types of acne can leave behind? Scarring occurs when acne breaks out so severely and deeply that it damages the tissues beneath it. That’s downright brutal. However, there are advanced treatments to deal with scarring. The first step, though, is getting rid of the acne you have, since new outbreaks can lead to more scarring. Seek out the advice of a dermatologist. HealthOne offers a [Microneedling program](https://healthoneskinclinic.ca/services/microneedling-prp/) (also called Collagen Induction Therapy) performed by their team of cosmetic nurses that triggers the skin’s natural repair processes (stimulates collagen and elastin production) and helps reduce the appearance of acne scars. Other advanced treatments for acne scarring include the [Vivier hyperpigmentation program](https://www.amazon.ca/VivierSkin-Hyperpigmentation-Program-2-Count/dp/B07H9B6HZW) and NanoFractional RF treatment. This route improves the texture, tone, and quality of the skin by using micro-focused, fractional radiofrequency energy that deeply heats the skin (rather than burning it, like with lasers), leading to faster rejuvenation and decreased healing times. "Whether you're dealing with acne breakouts or the scars it leaves behind, one thing that should always be prioritized is daily SPF use. This is especially important when using active ingredients or undergoing acne/acne scar treatments. Look for a non-comedogenic formula that's specifically formulated for the face." Bottom line: Acne is common, and it’s defeating. But you don’t have to sit back and let it happen. There are things to do to avoid getting acne. And there is a long list of treatments you can turn to minimize it when you have an acne breakout and get rid of it entirely. Broadening your knowledge about potential causes and treatments will put you on the right path to clear skin. Acne can result from a variety of factors, and there are many ways to treat it. You can take the path of trial and error, like trying a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment if you haven’t before. But when life with acne feels unbearable to face alone, the advice of a professional can offer deeper help and insights. “Acne treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The best results come from understanding each patient’s skin type, triggers, and goals to create a personalized treatment plan that supports long-term skin health.” [Visit our Skin Clinic to learn more about how you can achieve acne-free skin.](https://healthoneskinclinic.ca/) ![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/see-icon.svg) ### Frequently Asked Questions 1\. Do you treat acne scars? Yes, we have many professional skincare technologies and treatments that can reduce the appearance of acne scars. These include microneedling, Nanofractional RF, chemical peels, and IPL Photo Rejuvenation. They are each suited for specific types of acne scarring; a member of our team would be happy to discuss what option is best suited for your skin. 2\. What types of facial services do you offer? We offer many facial services that we target specifically for your skin concerns. We have 3 types of facials: Acne Detox, Glass Skin, and Skinhance, as well as different types of chemical peels. These services can refresh your skin, treat acne and acne scars, restore your skin’s youthful glow, address pigmentation and textured skin, and more. Written by: [![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/health-one.svg)](https://healthone.ca/) ![Maria Thanasi, Medical Aesthetician](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/Maria.png) Reviewed by: **[Maria Thanasi](https://healthone.ca/team/maria-thanasi/)** Maria is a medical aesthetician with a nursing background, specializing in laser therapies, microneedling, chemical peels, and medical-grade facials. She combines clinical expertise with advanced aesthetic techniques to deliver personalized, science-driven treatments. Committed to safe, effective care, Maria helps clients achieve healthy, natural-looking results while feeling informed and supported. HealthOne is a Toronto-based health and wellness centre bringing medical, dental, skin, rehab, mental health and more together under one roof. With three GTA locations and over 200,000 patients served, HealthOne is redefining how Canadians access modern, connected care. [Meet our Clinicians](https://healthone.ca/our-team/) Share on: [![Share on Facebook](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/f-icon.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.healthone.ca/how-to-get-rid-of-acne-common-causes-and-tips-for-clear-skin) [![Tweet](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/insta-icon.svg)](https://www.instagram.com) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/in-icon-1.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.healthone.ca/how-to-get-rid-of-acne-common-causes-and-tips-for-clear-skin) [![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/back-arrow.svg) Back to Main Blog](https://blog.healthone.ca/) ###### Related Posts [Meet Dr. Ashlin J. 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