How to Get Rid of Acne: A Complete Guide

If you’ve ever Googled “how to get rid of acne”, you already know the advice out there can be… all over the place. During my desperate searches, I would find an article asking me to use tea tree oil, while another blog touted the benefits of antibacterial cleansers. Influencers would swear by one ingredient, only for them to swear by a completely different ingredient once the trend changed.

In today’s information age, such advice is confusing, and worse, it’s rarely tailored to your skin. And if your skincare doesn’t match the kind of acne you have, it may do more harm than good.

That’s where this guide comes in. I have often found that throwing random tid-bits of information rarely ever works. Instead, I’ll dive into different types & stages of acne, which will help you figure out what stage you are currently on and what type of acne you have. And once you understand your skin’s stage, treating acne becomes a lot less frustrating, and a lot more effective.

What Are the Different Stages of Acne?

Acne doesn’t show up in just one way. Some days it’s those annoying tiny bumps that make your face feel like sandpaper. Other days, it’s a full-blown breakout that shows up right before something important. Let’s take a look at the different types of Acne.

Stage 1: Clogged Pores (Blackheads and Whiteheads)

What it looks like:
These are the tiny bumps that usually pop up on your nose, forehead, or chin. They're not red or painful, just little raised spots. Blackheads look dark because the pore is open and the gunk inside oxidizes. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are closed bumps that look flesh-colored or slightly white.

How to identify it:
Try running your fingers lightly across your skin. If it feels bumpy or rough but not sore, you're probably dealing with clogged pores.

What works best:

• A gentle, anti-pimple cleanser with sulphur or salicylic acid like HiPer’s Acne Eradicate Sulphur Cleanser.
• A lightweight, non-greasy & non-comedogenic moisturizer.

• Consistent sunscreen (yes, even oily skin needs it)

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Stage 2: Active Breakouts (Red, Inflamed Pimples)

What it looks like:
These are the classic angry pimples. They are often red, swollen and may present with a white or yellow tip. They hurt when you touch them and tend to show up in clusters. Usually appears on cheeks, forehead, jawline.

How to identify it:
If a pimple is tender, warm to touch, or visibly red, it’s an active breakout. These are often triggered by stress, hormones, or clogged pores that got infected.

What works best:

• Spot treatments with succinic acid, salicylic acid (HiPer’s Succinic Zit Fix is a great pick), or niacinamide

• A barrier-supporting moisturizer to reduce inflammation

• Avoid over-exfoliating, as it’ll just make things worse

 

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Stage 3: Severe Acne (Cysts and Nodules)

What it looks like:
These are the big, deep & painful bumps under the skin that don’t come to a head. They’re hard, often grouped together, and can last for weeks.

How to identify it:
If the bump feels like it’s under the skin, hurts without being touched, and never seems to “pop,” you’re likely dealing with a cyst or nodule.

What works best:

• Benzoyl peroxide face wash once a day

• Minimal routine (no ten-step skincare)

🧠 Quick tip: Resist the urge to pick or poke. Cystic acne spreads deeper if you try to “pop” it.

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Aftercare: Scars and Dark Spots

What it looks like:
Even after the pimple is gone, it can leave behind red marks, brown spots, or dents in your skin. These are signs your skin is healing, but it needs support.

How to identify it:
If your breakout is gone but the skin is still discolored or textured, it’s a clear sign to switch to aftercare mode.

What works best:

• Serums with niacinamide, azelaic acid, or zinc PCA

• A good sunscreen, always

• Gentle exfoliation once or twice a week. Consider HiPer’s Rice Microfoliant Scrub, a gentle exfoliator made with rice!

✨ The Bottom Line

Acne isn’t just one problem, and there’s no one-size-fits-all fix either. The real trick is figuring out what stage your skin is in, and matching your routine as well as products to treat the root cause.

Whether it’s clogged pores, full-blown breakouts, or the dark spots that refuse to leave, your skin can get better. It just needs the right ingredients at the right time.

HiPer’s products are built exactly around this idea. They’re designed with dermatologists, made for real Indian skin (that goes through sweat, stress, and spicy food), and focused on clearing acne without wrecking your barrier.

So, wherever you are in your acne journey, don’t stress. Just start with what your skin needs right now.

🙋 Acne FAQs: Quick Answers You’ve Been Looking For

Q1: What is the best face wash for pimples & black spots?

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for a face wash with ingredients like salicylic acid, sulphur, or benzoyl peroxide. These help unclog pores and reduce inflammation. HiPer’s sulphur-based cleanser can work really well if your breakouts are mild but persistent.

Q2: What is the top 10 face wash for pimples and dark spots?

You’ll see many “top 10” lists online, but honestly, the key is finding a product that matches your acne stage and skin type. A gentle cleanser that fights acne without damaging your skin barrier is far more effective than jumping from one trending product to the next.

Q3: Is sulphur safe to use on my skin?

Yes, sulphur is safe for most skin types, especially oily or acne-prone. It clears pores, reduces oil, and calms inflammation, making it great for treating blackheads, whiteheads, and early breakouts.

Q4: Can sulphur remove pimples?

Yes, sulphur can help reduce pimples by drying out excess oil, calming inflammation, and keeping pores clear. It’s especially useful for early-stage acne like whiteheads and blackheads.

Q5: How to remove acne overnight?

You can’t magically erase acne overnight. However, with proper care and the right products, you can reduce swelling and redness. Use a targeted spot treatment with succinic acid or salicylic acid and resist the urge to pick at it. You’ll usually wake up to a calmer pimple.