Tried Every Solution For Acne? Here’s What Finally Worked for Me

If you’re anything like me, you’ve tried every trick in the book to get rid of your acne. Clay masks, toothpaste hacks, DIY turmeric pastes, expensive serums, “miracle” products from every new skincare brand that pops up on your Instagram. And still, somehow, the breakouts kept coming back.

For years, I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. Was I not drinking enough water? Was it stress? Was it because I skipped sunscreen in college? Turns out, the real problem wasn’t what I was doing, it was what my skin actually needed.

Here’s the truth: acne isn’t just about “dirty” skin or bad habits. It’s about oil, bacteria, inflammation, and a broken skin barrier. The solution? A routine that tackles all of those at once, with ingredients that are backed by dermatologists, not influencers.

Let me break down what finally worked for me- and why.

The Acne-Fighting Ingredients That Actually Helped

1. Sulphur: Deep-Cleans Without the Damage

Unlike other stronger actives, which can be drying or irritating, sulphur is a gentler option that still packs serious acne-fighting power.

It works by:

• Reducing excess oil
  

• Loosening and clearing out dead skin cells
  

• Eliminating acne-causing bacteria
  
  

What makes sulphur stand out is that it works without stripping your skin. This is especially helpful for oily, acne-prone skin that also gets red, flaky, or tight after using traditional acne products.

HiPer’s Acne Eradicate Sulphur Face Wash is one of the best face washes to combat acne, as it contains 3% sulphur along with ceramides and oat β-glucans, which helps cleanse pores and support the skin barrier. It made a noticeable difference in calming active breakouts within a week.

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2. Succinic Acid: Inflammation’s Worst Enemy

If you haven’t heard of succinic acid before, think of it as a more skin-friendly alternative to salicylic acid. It’s particularly effective for:

• Reducing redness and swelling
  

• Calming under-the-skin cystic pimples
  

• Controlling oil without drying
  

I noticed that products with succinic acid didn’t cause peeling or irritation — they simply reduced inflammation in a low-key but effective way. One spot treatment I tried also included salicylic acid and sulphur, allowing it to hit acne from multiple angles: clearing the pore, calming inflammation, and killing bacteria.

This triple-action approach helped shrink new pimples in just a few days!

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3. Ceramides: Because Acne-Prone Skin Still Needs Moisture

A major myth about acne is that it needs to be dried out. The truth is, drying out your skin makes it more vulnerable. A damaged skin barrier leads to more inflammation, more irritation, and yes, more breakouts.

Ceramides are lipids that naturally occur in your skin and help seal in moisture. When added to a moisturizer, they help:

• Strengthen the barrier
  

• Calm post-acne redness
  

• Prevent that tight, over-cleansed feeling
  

Look for lightweight, non-comedogenic creams that combine ceramides with anti-inflammatory ingredients like Tasman Pepper or post-biotics. This combo keeps skin hydrated without triggering new breakouts, especially helpful if you’re using exfoliants or spot treatments.

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How to Build a Routine That Actually Works

Forget the 7-step rituals and endless product layering. For acne-prone skin, more isn’t better — smarter is. The most effective acne treatment targets the four root causes of acne:
excess oil, acne-causing bacteria, inflammation, and a weakened skin barrier.

A well-designed routine doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to do four things really well — cleanse gently, treat pimples directly, hydrate without clogging, and protect your barrier.

Here’s a streamlined 3-step routine that checks every box:

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🧼 Step 1: Cleanse with Sulphur and Barrier Repair Actives

Start your day with a cleanser that removes buildup without over-drying your skin. One of the most effective combinations?
3% sulphur + ceramides + oat β-glucans.

This trio deep-cleans pores and controls acne bacteria while also restoring moisture and reducing irritation.

👉 Try: HiPer Acne Eradicate Sulphur Cleanser
It uses dermatologist-approved levels of sulphur to kill bacteria and clear pores, while ceramides and oat beta-glucans work behind the scenes to keep your skin barrier calm and intact.

✔ Gently reduces oil and breakouts, without that dry, tight feeling.

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🎯 Step 2: Spot Treat with Succinic, Sulphur and Salicylic Acid

The best acne spot treatments don’t just dry out pimples, they reduce swelling, clear the gunk in the pore, and help skin heal faster. Look for formulas that combine:
succinic acid (anti-inflammatory), salicylic acid (exfoliating), and sulphur (antibacterial).

Also important? Barrier-friendly additions like ceramides and post-biotics to reduce irritation.

👉 Try: HiPer S46 Succinic Zit Fix
It hits all the marks: shrinks inflamed pimples fast, calms redness, and doesn’t leave behind dry patches or crusty residue. Perfect for those painful under-the-skin breakouts.

✔ Reduces swelling overnight, and visibly flattens spots in 2–3 days.

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💧 Step 3: Moisturize with Ceramides and Soothing Botanicals

Even oily, acne-prone skin needs hydration — especially if you’re using actives. A good moisturizer prevents rebound oiliness, supports healing, and keeps your barrier strong.

Look for ceramides to lock in moisture, Tasman Pepper or niacinamide to reduce redness, and a non-greasy texture that won’t clog pores.

👉 Try: HiPer T56 Tasman Pepper Ceramide Cream
Lightweight, fragrance-free, and fast-absorbing — this cream is packed with barrier-repairing ceramides, Tasman Pepper extract to soothe irritation, and post-biotics to support your skin’s microbiome.

✔ Balances oil levels and prevents flare-ups without the heaviness of typical creams.

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Why This Routine Works

This 3-step system isn’t about over-promising or overloading your skin. It’s about choosing the right ingredients, at the right strengths, in the right format.

• Sulphur clears bacteria and oil without stripping
  

• Succinic acid and salicylic acid unclog and calm
  

• Ceramides and Tasman Pepper rebuild and protect
  

Each product in this routine is doing a specific job — and doing it well. When used consistently, they create a skin environment where acne simply can’t thrive.

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What Changed After 4 Weeks?

I’ll be honest: nothing dramatic happened overnight. But by week two, my breakouts were less angry. By week four, I had fewer new pimples, smoother skin, and—this was the big one—I stopped obsessing over my skin every time I passed a mirror.
The redness faded, the bumps flattened, and the constant “what do I try next?” anxiety finally chilled out.

Final Take

If you’re tired of jumping from product to product with no results, it’s worth revisiting what your skin really needs. Acne isn’t just about fighting oil or scrubbing away dead skin — it’s about supporting the skin barrier, managing inflammation, and using ingredients that are backed by evidence, not trends.

For oily, breakout-prone skin that’s fed up with harsh, ineffective solutions, a routine built around sulphur, succinic acid, and ceramides just might be the shift you’ve been looking for.

FAQ: Pimples & Acne Routine

Q1: What’s the best skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
A simple 3-step routine works best: a gentle sulphur-based cleanser, a targeted spot treatment with succinic acid, and a ceramide-rich moisturizer to repair the skin barrier.

Q2: Can sulphur really help get rid of pimples?
Yes. Sulphur helps reduce oil, unclog pores, and kill acne-causing bacteria — all without over-drying the skin. It's gentler than benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid for sensitive skin types.

Q3: Is succinic acid better than salicylic acid for acne?
Succinic acid is less irritating and more soothing, especially for inflamed or cystic acne. However, using both together can offer stronger, multi-layered results.

Q4: Do I still need to moisturize if I have oily, acne-prone skin?
Absolutely. Skipping moisturizer can worsen oil production and damage your skin barrier. Look for lightweight creams with ceramides and calming botanicals like Tasman Pepper.

Q5: How long does it take for an acne routine to show results?
Most users see initial improvements in 1–2 weeks, with clearer skin and reduced redness by week 4. Consistency is key — acne needs time to heal from the inside out.

Q6: What’s the best face wash for pimples and oily skin?
A sulphur-based cleanser with barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and oat beta-glucan is ideal. It controls oil and clears pores without making skin feel tight or dry.

Q7: Can I use sulphur and salicylic acid together?
Yes, especially in a well-formulated spot treatment. Sulphur fights bacteria, while salicylic acid unclogs pores. Add succinic acid to calm redness, and you’ve got a powerful trio.

Q8: Why do acne treatments often fail?
Most treatments only target one cause — oil, bacteria, or dead skin. A successful routine addresses all four causes of acne: excess oil, clogged pores, inflammation, and a weak barrier.