Cystic acne treatment is one of the most elusive parts of skincare even for enthusiasts and experts. This kind of acne is deep-rooted and can literally ruin your day with the surging pain that accompanies it. Cystic acne is also large and red, making it hard to ignore as you go about your day. What is worse, people who are prone to getting cystic acne suffer from very frequent breakouts. It is like a curse that doesn’t seem to go away! Therefore, understanding the right strategies for cystic acne treatment is essential for its management. Today I bring to you the best treatment strategies for cystic acne that have been tried and tested! 

How Is Cystic Acne Different

Before delving into the realm of cystic acne treatment, let us understand how this class of acne is different from the rest. Unlike regular forms of acne, such as whiteheads and pustules, cystic acne is more deep-rooted in the skin. It appears as deep and painful lumps under the skin that often last for months. Regular acne, on the other hand, is more superficial and heals within a few weeks. 

Just like other forms of acne, cystic acne is formed as a result of clogged pores that accumulate dead cells and sebum, leading to bacterial infections. However, in the case of cystic acne, the infection goes deep into the skin. This leads to the formation of sebaceous cysts under the skin, which results in painful swellings on the face. People with oily skin and poor hormonal health are more prone to suffering from this class of acne. 

Do’s and Don’ts for Instant Relief

I know that the urge to squeeze a pimple is real, but please don’t squeeze your cystic acne! Popping whiteheads can be very satisfying, and if done right, can help them heal faster too. Cystic acne, on the other hand, does not respond well to popping or squeezing. You won’t be able to get the white gunk out and will only end up aggravating the inflammation! If you simply can’t ignore the pain of cystic acne then icing them can help you with immediate relief! Icing will constrict the blood vessels and reduce the blood supply to the inflamed region, thereby lessening the pain. This will also help to reduce the redness and size of the cysts.

The Best Ingredients For Cystic Acne Treatment At Home

Those who suffer from frequent cystic acne often rush to a dermatologist for a cortisone injection to dry up the acne. Cortisone is definitely the fastest way to get rid of cystic acne, but not all of us can visit a dermatologist every time a new cyst pops up. This is why you need to ace some at-home cystic acne treatment strategies. The best way to tackle cystic acne is to use multiple ingredients to combat the acne all at once! You can do this by curating an anti-acne regimen with the right cleanser and spot treatment.

The best combination of products to tackle cystic acne is a BHA cleanser followed by a Benzoyl Peroxide cream. Start your skincare regimen with a cleanser that contains 1-2% of Salicylic Acid, which is a BHA that deep cleans the pores and removes excess oil and dead cells. If you have sensitive skin then opt for a 0.5% Salicylic Acid cleanser instead because this ingredient can be a bit drying. Next, go in with an oil-free moisturizer to protect your skin’s barrier, and then apply a benzoyl peroxide cream as a spot treatment. Benzoyl Peroxide has anti-microbial properties and also exfoliates the skin, helping the acne heal faster. Opt for 2.5-5% Benzoyl Peroxide to enjoy its efficacy without the risk of skin irritation. 

This combination of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide works really well at tackling stubborn cystic acne. It attacks the root cause of the acne, which is excess sebum and bacteria, and also dries the acne. This duo will help your cystic acne heal within 2 weeks, which otherwise would have taken months! 

Treating Stubborn And Painful Cysts

If your cystic acne is very severe and extremely painful, you will need to pull out the big guns! A 1% hydrocortisone cream that contains a mild dose of topical steroids will help. Topical steroids help to reduce redness and inflammation and provide the quickest results among at-home treatments. For extremely stubborn acne, you can mix hydrocortisone, 2% salicylic acid, and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and apply this concoction as a spot treatment. You can also use a sulfur mask instead of salicylic acid for similar results. This potent trio will manage to shrink your cystic acne within a week when every other cystic acne treatment fails to do so!

If you have sensitive skin, it will be wise to consult a dermatologist before you opt for this treatment.

Life Hacks To Deal With Cystic Acne

No matter what cystic acne treatment you use, it will take at least a week to show results. In the meantime, you will sadly have to live with the cysts. You can use ice or soothing ingredients such as Centella and Aloe to reduce the redness and pain. If you wear makeup, you can use a green color corrector to neutralize the redness and then use a concealer on top. These strategies will help you go on with your life while your skincare products bust the acne! Also, consuming a healthy diet and lots of water can help prevent cystic acne too. Consult a doctor if you suspect hormonal issues to be the underlying cause for your acne. This might help nip the root cause of the acne in the bud.

Cystic acne can be one of the most daunting skincare issues that a lot of us have to deal with. However, with the help of these tips on cystic acne treatment at home, perhaps they won’t seem as nightmarish anymore. The two-fold strategy of cystic acne treatment and prevention helps achieve clearer skin with much more ease. So, be smart with your skincare regimen and lifestyle to notice visible results!