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Welcome to Acne Files, a month-long series where we get real about whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, and every bump or blemish in between. From skin-soothing products R29 editors swear by to exclusive deals on the most breakout-friendly beauty brands, we’re kissing the concept of “bad skin” goodbye and exploring why acne goes so much further than skin deep.
It's unavoidable: Every single time we sit in the exam chair at a dermatologist appointment, there's a moment where we stop paying attention while the doctor is mid-sentence to evaluate their skin. After all, it's only normal to look at the skin of the person who is trained to tell you what to do with yours and wonder what acne products dermatologists use... right?
Derms spend their days treating skin conditions and concerns, including hyperpigmentation, unwanted signs of aging, and acne. They have access to the best state-of-the-art equipment and medication, and many of them also rely on products available in the beauty department when they're off-duty to keep their skin clear. "Being a dermatologist doesn't make you immune to breakouts and acne," Mount Sinai Hospital dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, reminds us.
But seeing as derms are at the forefront of all our acne concerns, we needed to know exactly what they use when pimples attack. So if you also gaze helplessly at your doc and wish you could raid their medicine cabinet — we got you. We asked top dermatologists to share the exact products they use to treat their breakouts, ahead.
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