From the Guidelines
The best lifestyle changes for managing acne include maintaining a consistent skincare routine, diet modifications, staying hydrated, managing stress, and avoiding irritants, as these changes can help reduce excess oil production, prevent pore blockage, and decrease inflammation. When considering lifestyle changes for managing acne, it's essential to look at the most recent and highest quality evidence available. According to the 2024 guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris 1, while the focus is more on treatment recommendations, the principles of good skincare and lifestyle are foundational. Some key points to consider in lifestyle changes include:
- Maintaining a consistent skincare routine with gentle cleansing twice daily using a mild cleanser
- Avoiding over-washing, which can irritate the skin and worsen acne
- Diet modifications, such as reducing consumption of high-glycemic foods, dairy products, and processed foods, and increasing intake of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, although there is no strong evidence to support specific dietary changes 1
- Staying hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily
- Managing stress through regular exercise, adequate sleep (7-9 hours nightly), and relaxation techniques like meditation, as stress hormones can trigger oil production
- Avoiding touching the face and regularly cleaning items that contact the skin, including pillowcases (weekly), phone screens, and makeup brushes
- Removing makeup before sleeping and using non-comedogenic, oil-free products labeled "won't clog pores" These lifestyle changes are crucial for reducing excess oil production, preventing pore blockage, decreasing inflammation, and supporting the skin's natural healing processes. For persistent or severe acne, considering over-the-counter products or consulting a dermatologist for further guidance is recommended.
From the Research
Lifestyle Changes for Managing Acne
There are several lifestyle changes that can help manage acne, including:
- Maintaining a healthy diet: A diet low in glycemic index and rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce acne lesions 2
- Avoiding trigger foods: Foods such as milk and chocolate can exacerbate acne, while foods rich in docosapentaenoic acid and γ-linolenic acid can improve acne lesions 2
- Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush out toxins and keep the skin healthy
- Getting enough sleep: Getting adequate sleep can help reduce stress, which can contribute to acne
- Managing stress: High stress levels can increase the production of hormones that can contribute to acne, so finding ways to manage stress, such as through exercise or meditation, can be helpful
Topical and Oral Treatments
In addition to lifestyle changes, there are several topical and oral treatments that can be effective in managing acne, including:
- Topical retinoids: Such as tretinoin, which can reduce acne lesion counts by 63% compared to baseline 3
- Benzoyl peroxide: Which can be used in combination with topical retinoids for a more targeted treatment strategy 4
- Oral antibiotics: Such as doxycycline and minocycline, which can be effective in reducing inflammatory lesions by 58% at 6-month follow-up 3
- Hormonal therapies: Such as combination oral contraception, which can reduce inflammatory lesions by 62% at 6-month follow-up 3
- Isotretinoin: Which is approved for treating severe recalcitrant nodular acne, but is often used to treat resistant or persistent moderate to severe acne 5, 3
Combination Therapy
Combination therapy, which involves using multiple treatments together, can be an effective way to manage acne, including:
- Combining topical retinoids with benzoyl peroxide: Which can create a more targeted and complete treatment strategy 4
- Combining oral antibiotics with topical treatments: Which can be effective in reducing inflammatory lesions 6, 3
- Combining hormonal therapies with topical treatments: Which can be effective in reducing inflammatory lesions 6, 3