This is an example

Nobody real is in it. The photo review found blackheads, whiteheads, and red pimples on the forehead, chin, and jaw. Some pimples, 10 to 20. Flat brown marks. The person said new skincare sometimes stings and they had tried salicylic acid. They picked the 12 week plan.

out of 100

Example acne score

A lot going on. The plan starts with the biggest cause.

About 14 pimples right now. Higher is clearer. Scan again in 2 weeks to see it move.

Good news first

What is going well

No deep sore lumps
Those are the kind that scar. You do not have them. That is the best news on this page.
No dents or scars
Everything you have now can get better with the plan. Nothing here is for good.
Not many pimples with pus
Pus pimples are the kind that leave marks. You have few or none.
Your nose and cheeks are clear
The plan only has to work on the parts that have pimples.
Your marks will fade
Flat red or brown marks go away on their own. Sunscreen every day makes it faster.
You have the right two gels from day one
Most people try five wrong things first. You are skipping that.

What the example photo shows

Three facts about your acne

You have blackheads on your nose and forehead. There are red pimples on your chin and jaw. A few have a white top. Flat brown marks on your cheeks are from old pimples, not new ones.

What kind: Your pimples are mostly blackheads, whiteheads, and red or pus pimples. They are on your forehead, chin, and jaw.
How many: Right now you have some pimples. That is 10 to 20. We counted about 14.
Marks: Old pimples left flat red or brown marks. They fade. Sunscreen helps them fade faster.

forehead
chin
jaw

The example plan

Acne gel (adapalene 0.1%) and pimple gel (benzoyl peroxide 2.5%).

When: At night. Every other night for 2 weeks. Then every night.
How much: A pea of each, in a thin layer on the whole area that gets pimples. Not just on the spots.

Why

Blackheads and whiteheads are blocked holes in the skin. The acne gel is the best thing for them.
Red pimples and pus pimples are germs plus a blocked hole. The pimple gel kills the germs. The acne gel opens the hole.
Doctors' guides say these two are the first choice for any amount of acne.
2.5% pimple gel works as well as 10% and stings less.

What changes because of what you tried

Stop the salicylic acid. It has weak proof. And the acne gel label says do not use them together.

This is the example 12 week plan.

Every day

Morning and night

Morning

1
Wash your face with the gentle face wash.
A coin size. Fingertips only. 30 seconds. Rinse.
Why
Clean skin, not tight skin. Never scrub.
2
Put on the light moisturizer.
A blueberry size.
Why
The gels dry your skin. This keeps it soft so you can keep going.
3
From week 5, put on the mark cream (azelaic acid 10%) before sunscreen.
A pea.
Why
It fades the red and brown marks.
4
Put on sunscreen SPF 30.
Two finger lines. One on your pointer finger, one on your middle finger.
Why
The acne gel makes sun burn you faster. Sun makes marks darker.

Night

1
Wash your face with the gentle face wash.
A coin size.
Why
Sunscreen and the day's oil have to come off first.
2
Wait until your face is fully dry. About 10 minutes.
Why
Gel on wet skin stings more.
3
Put a pea of pimple gel (benzoyl peroxide 2.5%) on the whole area that gets pimples. Not just on the spots.
A pea, spread thin.
Why
It kills the germs that make pimples red.
Keep it off your eyes, lips, and the corners of your nose. It bleaches towels. Use a white towel and pillowcase.
4
Wait 5 minutes. Put a pea of acne gel (adapalene 0.1%) on the same area.
A pea, spread thin.
Why
It opens the tiny holes where pimples start.
A thin layer. More does not work better. It only stings more.
5
Put on the light moisturizer.
A blueberry size.
Why
It keeps your skin soft while it gets used to the gel.

The first 14 days

Day by day

Day 1. First gel night. Wash, dry, the two gels, moisturizer.
Take your first photo. Count your pimples and write the number down.
If it stings
If it stings a lot or your skin goes very red: wash the gel off after 1 hour tonight. Tomorrow use more moisturizer. Do not stop.
Day 2. Rest night. Wash and moisturizer.
If it stings
Rest night. If your skin feels tight, put on moisturizer twice.
Day 3. Gel night. Wash, dry, the two gels, moisturizer.
A little red or dry is normal. It is not a reason to stop.
If it stings
If it stings a lot or your skin goes very red: wash the gel off after 1 hour tonight. Tomorrow use more moisturizer. Do not stop.
Day 4. Rest night. Wash and moisturizer.
If it stings
Rest night. If your skin feels tight, put on moisturizer twice.
Day 5. Gel night. Wash, dry, the two gels, moisturizer.
If it stings
If it stings a lot or your skin goes very red: wash the gel off after 1 hour tonight. Tomorrow use more moisturizer. Do not stop.
Day 6. Rest night. Wash and moisturizer.
If it stings
Rest night. If your skin feels tight, put on moisturizer twice.
Day 7. Gel night. Wash, dry, the two gels, moisturizer.
One week done. Most people who quit, quit around now. You are not most people.
If it stings
If it stings a lot or your skin goes very red: wash the gel off after 1 hour tonight. Tomorrow use more moisturizer. Do not stop.
Day 8. Rest night. Wash and moisturizer.
If it stings
Rest night. If your skin feels tight, put on moisturizer twice.
Day 9. Gel night. Wash, dry, the two gels, moisturizer.
If it stings
If it still stings: keep washing it off after 1 hour for one more week. If your skin is swollen, hot, or has blisters, stop and see a doctor.
Day 10. Rest night. Wash and moisturizer.
Dry or peeling? Normal for weeks 2 to 4. Use more moisturizer. Keep going.
If it stings
Rest night. If your skin feels tight, put on moisturizer twice.
Day 11. Gel night. Wash, dry, the two gels, moisturizer.
If it stings
If it still stings: keep washing it off after 1 hour for one more week. If your skin is swollen, hot, or has blisters, stop and see a doctor.
Day 12. Rest night. Wash and moisturizer.
If it stings
Rest night. If your skin feels tight, put on moisturizer twice.
Day 13. Gel night. Wash, dry, the two gels, moisturizer.
Some people get a few more pimples now. They were already on the way. The gel is not causing them.
If it stings
If it still stings: keep washing it off after 1 hour for one more week. If your skin is swollen, hot, or has blisters, stop and see a doctor.
Day 14. Rest night. Wash and moisturizer.
Count your pimples again. Take a photo. Tomorrow the next part starts.
If it stings
Rest night. If your skin feels tight, put on moisturizer twice.

Green dot: gel night. Grey dot: rest night. Every morning: wash, moisturizer, sunscreen.

After that

Week by week

Week 3: the gels every night

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: Some dry and peeling skin. Maybe a few new pimples. This is the hardest week for your skin.
If, then: Peeling a lot: Moisturizer twice a day. Skip one gel night, then go back.
New pimples: Normal. Keep going. They were on the way.

Do not stop. Week 3 is when the gel starts to work under the skin, where you cannot see it yet.

Week 4: your skin is getting used to itCount day

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: Less sting. Still some pimples. Old ones are healing.
If, then: It still stings every time: Go back to every other night for one week.
Your face is much better: Do not stop. It comes back if you stop.

Do not stop. Week 4 is the middle, not the end.

Week 5: every night is normal now

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer. Add the mark cream (azelaic acid 10%) in the morning, before sunscreen.
You will probably see: Fewer new pimples. Marks from old ones are still there.
If, then: You forget nights: Put the gels next to your toothbrush.
Bored of the plan: Look at your day 1 photo next to today.

Do not stop. This is where most people give up, right before it works.

Week 6: the give up weekCount day

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: The pimples you have now are new ones. Fewer than before.
If, then: No change at all: Check: every night? Whole area, not spots? Both gels? Fix the one you missed.
Your skin is calm: Good. Nothing to change.

Do not stop. Only 36 out of 100 people are still going at week 6. Be one.

Week 7: keep going

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: New pimples are smaller and go away faster.
If, then: A big sore lump comes up: See a doctor. That kind needs medicine.

Do not stop.

Week 8: you can start to judgeCount day

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: Clearly fewer pimples than day 1. Marks are lighter.
If, then: Fewer pimples than day 1: It works. Keep doing the same thing.
The same or more: See a doctor. A doctor has stronger medicine. Bring your counts.

Do not stop. Even if it works, stopping brings it back.

Week 9: your normal night

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: Not much sting. Skin used to the gels.
If, then: You miss a night: Just do the next night. Do not double up.

Do not stop.

Week 10: marks fadingCount day

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: The red and brown marks fade. Sunscreen every day is why.
If, then: Marks not fading: Check your sunscreen amount. Two finger lines.

Do not stop.

Week 11: almost there

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: Most days you do not think about pimples.
If, then: You want to stop the pimple gel: Not yet. Ask a doctor first at week 12.

Do not stop.

Week 12: the real resultCount day

Put on: Both gels every night now. Same pea, same thin layer.
You will probably see: This is what the plan does. Compare your day 1 photo and count.
If, then: Fewer pimples: This is your normal now. Keep the gels every night.
Still a lot: See a doctor and bring your 6 counts.

Do not stop. The plan is not a course. It is a habit.

After week 12, keep the gels every night. Count once a month. See a doctor if pimples come back a lot.

What to buy

The shopping list

1
Gentle face wash
Look for: "gentle", "fragrance free"
Not: "scrub", "exfoliating", "acne wash", "salicylic"
A coin size, twice a day. A 200 ml bottle, about 3 months.
Cleans without the tight feeling.
2
Pimple gel (benzoyl peroxide 2.5%)
Look for: "benzoyl peroxide 2.5%", "gel or lotion"
Not: "10%", "wash"
A pea for the whole area, at night. A 60 g tube, about 2 months.
Kills the germs that make pimples red. Buy a white towel and pillowcase. It bleaches color.
3
Acne gel (adapalene 0.1%)
Look for: "adapalene 0.1%", "gel"
Not: "retinol", "salicylic"
A pea for the whole face, at night. A 45 g tube, about 3 months. The small 15 g tube lasts about 1 month.
Opens the tiny holes where pimples start. Stops new ones.
4
Light moisturizer
Look for: "oil free", "fragrance free", "will not clog pores"
Not: "anti-aging", "acne"
A blueberry size, twice a day. A 100 ml bottle, about 2 months.
Keeps skin soft so the gels do not sting. On many boxes "will not clog pores" is written as "non-comedogenic". Same thing.
5
Sunscreen SPF 30
Look for: "SPF 30 or more", "broad spectrum", "oil free"
Not: "tanning", "SPF 15"
Two finger lines, every morning. A 50 ml bottle, about 1 month if you use enough.
Stops marks from getting darker. The acne gel makes sun burn you faster.
6
Mark cream (azelaic acid 10%)from week 5
Look for: "azelaic acid 10%"
Not: "20%"
A pea, in the morning. A 30 g tube, about 2 months.
Fades the red and brown marks old pimples left.

The rules

Eleven rules

Wash twice a day at most, with your fingertips. Never scrub.
Thin layer on the whole area that gets pimples. Not dots on each spot.
Keep the gels away from your eyes, lips, and the corners of your nose.
No salicylic acid, no harsh soap, no scrubs, no alcohol toner while you use the acne gel.You were using salicylic acid. Stop it now.
Sunscreen SPF 30 every morning, even on cloudy days. The acne gel makes you burn faster.
Do not touch, pick, or squeeze. Picking makes marks.
Keep oily hair off your forehead. Wash your hair often if it is oily.
Use a white towel and pillowcase. The pimple gel bleaches color.
Nothing else new for 12 weeks. If it stings, it is easy to know why.
Do not stop before 12 weeks. Skin needs that long.
Put the gels next to your toothbrush. Set a reminder on your phone.

What to expect

What you will see, week by week

Weeks 1 to 2: Some sting, some dry skin. Maybe a few extra pimples. They were already on the way.
Weeks 2 to 4: Dry, red, and peeling is normal now. Moisturizer fixes most of it. Pimples look the same.
Weeks 5 to 6: Fewer new pimples. This is the give up week for most people. Do not be most people.
Weeks 7 to 8: Clearly fewer pimples. Marks start to fade. Now you can judge the plan.
Weeks 9 to 12: The real result. Skin is used to the gels. Marks keep fading. This is your normal night now.

Safety

When to see a doctor

You have a lot of pimples, more than 20.: A doctor has stronger medicine that works faster.
Pimples are deep, big, or hurt.: Those kinds need a doctor. Creams from a store cannot reach them.
Pimples leave dents or scars.: Only a doctor can treat scars. Sooner is better.
A spot is hot, swollen, very sore, or has yellow crust. Or you feel sick with it.: That can be an infection. Go soon.
Pimples make you sad, or you skip school, work, or friends because of them.: That matters as much as the pimples. Say it to the doctor.
No change after 12 weeks of every night.: The plan was done right and it was not enough. The next step is medicine.

Keep track

Count every 2 weeks. Photo every day.

Count your pimples

Count your pimples on day 1, day 14, and then every 2 weeks.
Stand at a mirror in daylight. Count every bump you can see. Blackheads count too.
Write the number down, or scan again here so it is saved with the date.
Fewer at week 8 than day 1 means it works.

One photo every day

One photo every morning after you wash, before any cream.
Same spot by a window. Same angle. No filter.
The photos show what the mirror hides.

Start

Food

What about food

Food does not cause acne. But for some people, sugary food and skim milk make it worse.
Do not ban foods. Notice your own pattern. If a food is followed by more pimples two days later, more than once, cut back on that one.
Drink water. Eat normal food.

Skinli gives simple tips for skin with pimples. It is not a doctor. It cannot tell you what is wrong the way a doctor can. If your pimples hurt, are deep under the skin, are getting worse, or will not go away, see a doctor.