If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the acne advice out there—you’re not alone. The truth is, most acne skincare routines either do too little or way too much. That’s why I created this affordable 8-week skincare routine that hits all four causes of acne… without overwhelming your skin (or your wallet).

Every product in this guide is over-the-counter, affordable, and dermatologist-approved; chosen to fight acne-causing bacteria, unclog pores, reduce oil, and prevent new breakouts.

🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Click here to view the full YouTube video where I walk you through the routine and exactly how to apply it.

Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. But I’ll be sharing many of the products I recommend daily to treat acne.

The 4 Main Causes of Acne (And What to Use)

Let’s go through each cause of acne—and the product I’ve chosen to target it.

1. Cutibacterium Acnes Bacteria

This is the bacteria that contributes to breakouts. The best over-the-counter ingredient to fight it? Benzoyl peroxide. I recommend the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser with 4% benzoyl peroxide.

• Over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide can go up to 10%, but higher strengths can cause irritation.
  
• 4% is effective and well-tolerated.
  
• This CeraVe formula also includes ceramides and niacinamide to support the skin barrier and reduce oil.
  

This cleanser tackles the bacterial cause of acne and supports the skin overall.

2. Follicular Hyperkeratinization (Clogged Pores)

This happens when dead skin cells don’t shed properly and clog pores, leading to whiteheads and blackheads.

My top two products I recommend to treat and prevent clogged pores are salicylic acid and retinoids. 

I like 2% salicylic acid in a leave-on product like PanOxyl Clarifying Exfoliant.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that’s oil-soluble.

• It penetrates pores and breaks up buildup.
  
• It’s more effective for acne than alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic or lactic acid.

My go-to over-the-counter retinoid for acne is adapalene 0.1% cream or gel. 

Adapalene helps normalize skin cell turnover, prevent clogged pores, and reduce inflammation.

• Try Differin (common brand name) or a generic you can find at the drugstore
  
• Just make sure the active ingredient is adapalene 0.1%.

This is the most important acne-fighting ingredient in the routine.

3. Excess Oil (Sebum) Production

Excess oil feeds breakouts and clogs pores. To address this, I recommend sulfur—my “secret weapon.”

Try the AcneFree Sulfur Mask with 3.5% sulfur.

• Sulfur helps reduce oil production.
  
• It also fights bacteria, unclogs pores, reduces inflammation, and supports the skin barrier.
  
• It’s an ingredient that can target all four causes of acne.
  

You can increase sulfur concentration later if needed, but 3.5% is a gentle and effective starting point.

4. Inflammation 

All of the products I mentioned also help treat the inflammatory component of acne! 

How to Use This Routine (Morning & Night)

Morning Routine

1. Cleanse
   
   • Use the CeraVe Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser.
     
   • Note: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach towels—use white ones only.
     
   • Also, store it in a cool place to minimize benzene contamination concerns.
     
2. Treat
   
   • Apply the salicylic acid exfoliant. Use it like a toner to unclog pores.
     
3. Moisturize + SPF
   
   • Use a lightweight moisturizer with SPF. I recommend CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30—it has a matte finish and works great for oily skin.
     

Nighttime Routine

1. Gentle Cleanser
   
   • Use something like Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser—effective, non-irritating, and under $10.
     
2. Adapalene
   
   • Apply a pea-sized amount evenly over the entire face (not as a spot treatment).
     
   • This helps prevent new breakouts.
     
3. Moisturizer
   
   • Use La Roche-Posay Double Repair Gel-Cream Moisturizer.
     
   • It contains ceramides and niacinamide—perfect for oily or acne-prone skin.
     

Using the Sulfur Mask

• Use it 1–2 nights per week in place of adapalene.
  
• Take nights off from adapalene to protect your skin barrier and prevent irritation.
  
• Routine on sulfur nights:
  
  1. Gentle cleanser
     
  2. Sulfur mask (rinse off)
     
  3. Moisturizer
     

How to Start This Routine

Don’t start everything at once. If you’re new to skincare:

1. Start with the basics:
   
   • Cleanser
     
   • Moisturizer
     
   • Sunscreen
     
2. Once your skin adjusts, introduce adapalene a few nights per week.
   
3. Add in salicylic acid and sulfur over time.
   

Slow and steady wins the race! This avoids unnecessary irritation and keeps your skin barrier strong.

Troubleshooting & Adjustments

• If you’re not seeing results, consider increasing the strength of benzoyl peroxide (up to 10%) or sulfur (up to 10%).
  
• But if you’ve maxed out these OTC ingredients and still see no improvement, it may be time to consult a dermatologist for prescription-strength treatments.
  

Optional Add-Ons

If you want to take your routine to the next level, here are some extras:

• Hypochlorous acid spray – Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, great post-gym or for a mid-day refresh
  
• Salicylic acid spray (for body acne) – Try Naturium’s 2% spray
  
• Benzoyl peroxide body wash – Use in the shower for acne on the chest and back; PanOxyl has a 10% option
  
• Blue light LED therapy – Look for Qure LED mask (blue light for acne, red light for anti-aging)
  
• Pimple patches – Great for protecting active breakouts and preventing picking
  
• Clean Skin Club disposable towels – More hygienic than washcloths
  

Final Thoughts: Sticking With Your Acne Skincare Routine

Acne can be stubborn—but with the right ingredients and consistent care, you’ll absolutely see progress. Just remember the 4 key ingredients for this acne routine are:

• Benzoyl peroxide
  
• Salicylic acid
  
• Adapalene
  
• Sulfur
  

Consistency is key—give it 8 weeks before evaluating results. Start slow, listen to your skin, and don’t overcomplicate things. If it’s still not working, professional help may be the next step.

Let me know what else you want to know about acne—we can keep this conversation going!

🎥 Prefer to watch the step-by-step breakdown? Click here to watch the full video on YouTube

📲 Have questions? DM me over on Instagram at @thebudgetdermatologist—I love hearing how your skin is doing.