A Derm-Approved Acne Skin-Care Routine to Break Up With Your Breakouts

Inflamed, pimple-prone skin? The road to clear skin isn’t necessarily a 10-step K-beauty regimen or the trendiest serum. According to the experts, the best acne skin-care routine starts with consistency and avoiding the wrong ingredients. Chief among those irritating offenders? Fragrance and alcohol-laden formulas, which can wreak havoc on already inflamed, acne-prone skin. “When you’re dealing with breakouts, less is definitely more. To avoid drying out your skin or compromising your barrier with too many active products, it’s about balance, proper layering, and really listening to your skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch tells Vogue. “That means resisting the urge to pile on actives all at once. If you’re using ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids, space them out. Apply one in the morning and another at night or on alternate days. Overlapping too many strong ingredients can lead to more breakouts.”

Just as crucial is what you pair those treatments with. “Always follow with a hydrating, non-comedogenic moisturizer—look for barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide,” Dr. Gratch advises. “And when it comes to cleansing and exfoliating, be gentle. Use a mild, pH-balanced cleanser and limit exfoliants to two or three times a week, depending on your skin’s tolerance.”

Vogue’s Acne Skin-Care Essentials

• The Micellar Water : Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, $20
• The Gentle Cleanser : IS Clinical Cleansing Complex, $49
• The Chemical Exfoliant : SkinMedica Acne Clarifying Treatment, $88
• The Weekly Face Mask : Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Face Mask, $47
• The Non-Comedogenic Moisturizer : Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream, $54
• The Zit Zapping Tools : Omnilux Blemish Eraser, $95
• The Acne-Safe SPF : Coola Refreshing Water Plumping Gel SPF 30, $48

Still, even with the perfect regimen, results don’t happen overnight. And that’s where patience—and a bit of perspective—comes in. “There’s no quick fix for acne,” Catie Boucher, DCNP, FNP-C and founder of SavvyDerm tells Vogue. “I always go back to the 80/20 rule: 80% of your results come from staying consistent with your at-home routine, and 20% from in-clinic treatments. It’s easy to get pulled in by buzzy marketing, but long-term results come from consistency.”

Perhaps most importantly, Boucher emphasizes the need for personalization. “Every acne patient is different, so finding a provider who can tailor your routine to your specific type of acne is key,” she says. “It’s not just about what’s trending—it’s about what works for your skin.” Keeping this all in mind, the pros break it down in seven easy-to-follow steps, with acne-safe product suggestions for a fail-proof skin-care routine. Let’s get into it!

Step One : Start by Removing Makeup and SPF

It may come as no surprise, but double cleansing is an essential first step. The pros suggest starting off your routine with micellar water. “Removing makeup and SPF thoroughly is important to clear, healthy skin. Micellar water is a gentle, non-stripping option that doesn’t require scrubbing,” celebrity esthetician Kristin Gunn tells Vogue. “Micelles attract oil, dirt, and impurities like a magnet without disrupting your delicate skin barrier. This is crucial for those dealing with breakouts, as inflammation and barrier damage will worsen acne.”