Breakouts happen. It’s what comes next that matters most. Treating blemishes too early—or too aggressively—can backfire, leading to stubborn discoloration, lingering dark spots, and inflamed skin. But when you treat breakouts in the right order, you help your skin heal faster and more evenly.
Here’s a dermatologist-developed plan to support your skin through every stage—from inflamed to faded.
Step 1: If It’s Red and Raised, Don’t Fade It Yet
When a breakout is still red, swollen, or inflamed, your skin is in defense mode—not healing mode. Trying to fade it now? You’ll just irritate it more and risk darker post-acne marks.
Instead, focus on calming ingredients like:
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Azelaic acid
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Centella asiatica
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Hypochlorous acid (for post-workout bacteria and sweat)
Try: Patch It Rescue Pimple Patches — made to calm and protect active pimples.
Step 2: Spot Treat Strategically
Once a pimple starts to flatten, you can begin gentle exfoliation. The goal? Unclog pores, smooth texture, and speed up recovery without triggering new irritation.
Use chemical exfoliants with AHAs 2–3x a week to keep your skin clear and balanced.
Try: Major Fade Flash Mask — an AHA-powered mask designed to smooth skin and refine tone.
Step 3: Now It’s Time to Fade
After the breakout is gone, you might be left with a dark mark. That’s post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)—and now is the time to fade it.
Use pigment-fading ingredients like:
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Alpha arbutin
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Kojic acid
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Niacinamide
These help even tone and fade discoloration gently over time—without needing to call the derm.
Try: Major Fade Hyper Serum — targets uneven tone with clinically backed ingredients.
Step 4: Never Skip SPF
If you’re not protecting your skin from UV damage, your dark spots don’t stand a chance. Sun exposure locks in hyperpigmentation and makes it harder to fade.
Pro tip: Acne-prone or oily? Choose a lightweight SPF that fits your skin type.
Try: Disco Block SPF 50 as your SPF and dark spot cream all in one.
Bonus Tips to Prevent Acne Scars:
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Change your pillowcase every 2 nights (flip sides between nights)
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Clean your phone screen daily — it’s basically a bacteria buffet
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Wash your face (or spritz hypochlorous acid) after every workout
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Don’t pick. We know. But seriously—don’t.
The Takeaway
Healing your skin doesn’t mean reaching for every product in your cabinet. It means giving your skin the right things at the right time: calm, treat, then fade.
Your breakout routine doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be smart.
Want to build your own post-breakout routine?
