The best way to get rid of acne is a short, consistent routine that hits every cause of a breakout: wash twice a day with a salicylic acid cleanser, exfoliate two to three times a week, apply a daily acne treatment, and moisturize with SPF. Attacking clogged pores, oil, bacteria, and inflammation at once clears skin faster than any single product.
Can you actually get rid of acne for good?
You can keep acne under control, but "for good" is the wrong goal. Acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting up to 50 million Americans a year, and it's driven by oil, dead skin, and bacteria your face produces every day (American Academy of Dermatology). A daily routine manages those causes on repeat. Stop the routine, and breakouts tend to come back — so think maintenance, not one-time fix.
What's the fastest way to clear a breakout?
The fastest way to calm a breakout is to spot-treat it early and leave it alone otherwise. Dab a targeted treatment like Tiege Hanley's ACNE GEL PEN directly on the pimple, keep the rest of your routine gentle, and don't pick — picking spreads bacteria and can cause scarring. Real results still take weeks, not hours, which is why what you do daily matters more than any emergency fix.
The best ways to get rid of acne, step by step
The most effective approach is a routine where each product handles one job. Here's the order that works, and the Tiege Hanley product that fits each step.
1. Wash twice a day with a salicylic acid cleanser
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that gets into pores and breaks down the oil and debris that cause breakouts. Wash morning and night — about 10 to 15 seconds each time — with a gentle, sulfate-free formula like SAL ACID WASH. Over-washing or scrubbing hard makes acne worse, so keep it short and gentle.
2. Exfoliate two to three times a week
Exfoliating removes the dead skin cells that pile up and clog pores. Two to three times a week, use an exfoliating pad like GLYCOLIC PADS, which combine glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids to clear the surface and unclog pores. Skip daily exfoliation — too much strips your skin and triggers more oil.
3. Treat every day with an acne serum
A daily treatment is what keeps new breakouts from forming. After cleansing, apply a lightweight, non-comedogenic treatment like ACNE SERUM across your whole face, not just on existing pimples. Treating the areas that tend to break out helps stop the next one before it starts.
4. Moisturize and wear SPF — even with oily skin
Skipping moisturizer backfires: dry, stripped skin produces more oil, which feeds acne. Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer with sun protection, like AM (SPF 20), every morning. Sunscreen also helps fade the dark marks that breakouts leave behind, so this step does double duty.
5. Don't ignore body acne
Breakouts on your back, chest, and shoulders ("bacne") need the same attention as your face. A targeted spray like Acne All-Over Body Spray reaches spots your hands can't and treats those areas without a full shower routine. Shower soon after workouts, since trapped sweat clogs pores.
6. Be consistent — this is the part most guys skip
Consistency beats intensity. Dermatologists say to give an acne treatment at least four weeks, and if you don't see improvement after four to six weeks, add a second product to attack a different cause (AAD). Full results often take about eight weeks (American Family Physician). Swapping products every few days is one of the fastest ways to make acne worse.
If you'd rather not assemble this yourself, Tiege Hanley bundles these steps into the TiegeClear Acne Essentials routine — a 30-day supply built to work together. You can compare the full lineup on the acne routines page.
Which ingredients actually fight acne?
The acids that do the heavy lifting are salicylic acid, which clears pores; glycolic and lactic acid, which exfoliate the surface; and non-comedogenic moisturizers that hydrate without clogging. For a deeper look at why these work for oily, breakout-prone skin, see Tiege Hanley's guide to skin care ingredients that combat excess oil and the breakdown of the science behind TiegeClear acne systems.
FAQ
How long does it take to get rid of acne? Most people need at least four weeks to see a change and around eight weeks for fuller results. If there's no improvement after four to six weeks, add a treatment that targets a different cause (AAD).
Does washing your face more often clear acne faster? No. Washing twice a day is enough. Over-washing strips your skin, which can trigger more oil and more breakouts. Twice daily with a gentle cleanser is the sweet spot.
Should I use moisturizer if I have oily, acne-prone skin? Yes. A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer keeps skin balanced. When you skip it, dry skin often overproduces oil and clogs pores.
What's the difference between spot treatment and a daily acne serum? A spot treatment like the ACNE GEL PEN targets a single active pimple. A daily ACNE SERUM goes all over to help prevent new breakouts. Use both together for the best results.
When should I see a dermatologist? See a board-certified dermatologist if you get deep, painful cysts, if scarring is developing, or if over-the-counter products haven't helped after several weeks (AAD).
Where do I start if I've never had a routine? Start simple. A beginner-friendly acne routine for guys covers the exact steps, and parents can check the guide to helping a teenage son clear his acne.
