disclosure
About

9 Things to Try When Acne Won’t Go Away

Practical tips for clearing stubborn acne, covering treatment combos, hormonal acne, diet changes, stress, and when to reset your routine.
Recipe-style graphic showing benzoyl peroxide + antibiotic + retinoid as the winning acne trio.

Best Treatment Combinations for Persistent Acne

Using just one acne product might not work. 

Acne usually needs a few things working together - something to unclog pores, something to calm the inflammation, and something that tackles the bacteria.
Split photo showing coarse scrub scratching red, irritated skin on the left and a clear salicylic–AHA droplet gently dissolving dead cells on smooth skin on the right.

Why Chemical Exfoliation Works Better for Acne

If you’re still using gritty scrubs, it’s time to switch. Chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid or AHAs do the job better - and with less soreness.

They work by loosening up dead skin instead of trying to scrub it off. That means less redness and more results.

Related:  Facials For Men

Split photo showing coarse scrub scratching red, irritated skin on the left and a clear salicylic–AHA droplet gently dissolving dead cells on smooth skin on the right.

Hormonal Acne in Men and How to Spot It

Sometimes stubborn acne in men is linked to hormone shifts - especially if breakouts still happen in adulthood or constantly show up along the jawline and neck.

If nothing else is working, it might be worth speaking to a GP. There are ways to manage hormone-related breakouts without jumping straight into heavy treatments.
split Petri dish showing a clear inhibition zone on the ‘sensitive’ blue side and no zone on the ‘resistant’ red side, with benzoyl-peroxide and antibiotic vials nearby, illustrating how combination therapy can overcome resistance.

When Acne Stops Responding to Antibiotics

If antibiotics used to help but don’t anymore, resistance could be the reason.
That’s quite common now, which is why dermatologists keep courses short - about three to four months.

When that happens, switching to another type - like doxycycline or trimethoprim, can sometimes help. Adding a topical that tackles bacteria like azelaic acid, clindamycin, or a retinoid, can also help the treatment work better.
Photorealistic LED face mask emitting red and blue light onto a mannequin head, with acne spots fading under the beams, illustrating light therapy for resistant acne.

Light Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Acne

Some light-based treatments, like photodynamic therapy and intense pulsed light, have been tested on stubborn acne - and the results look good.

They don’t work the same way as creams or pills. Instead, they target bacteria and help calm inflammation. Not something you’d try first, but ask your doctor about it if nothing else has worked.

Related:  5 Advanced Skin Care Tips For Men

Photorealistic lineup of three grooming bottles; a red X symbols on two opaque bottles and a green check on a clear bottle, illustrating how hidden ingredients can clog pores.

Check Your Products for Pore-Clogging Ingredients

Just because something says “non-comedogenic” doesn’t mean it’s safe for acne-prone skin. Some products still sneak in ingredients like silicones, waxes, or oils that can block pores.

If your skin’s still breaking out, it could be one of your products that’s getting in the way - even if the label says it’s safe.
Comparison of high-dose vs. low-dose cylinders with different side-effect faces, illustrating low-dose isotretinoin acne therapy.

Low-Dose Isotretinoin for Stubborn Acne

Some men find that smaller doses of isotretinoin can help with stubborn acne - without the usual rough ride of the full-strength version. The standard dose can dry out your lips, crack the corners of your mouth, and make your skin peel or feel sore. The lower dose tones that right down.

It takes longer to work, but it’s much easier to live with. If other treatments haven’t done much, this one might be worth a quiet word with your GP.
Split plate of sugar/dairy versus fruits/veggies, showing foods that may worsen acne.

Foods That Make Acne Worse

Diet might not be the root cause of acne, but certain foods - like sugar or dairy - do seem to make breakouts much worse for some men.

It’s not the same for everyone, but keeping a food diary for a couple of weeks might help you spot if something on your plate is making things worse.

Related:  How Sugar & Dairy Impact Beard Growth

Flat-lay of a CBD dropper bottle, fresh Centella asiatica leaves, milk-thistle seeds, and a skin patch with fading red pimples, illustrating a herbal blend that early studies suggest may reduce inflamed acne.

CBD and Herbal Extracts for Acne

Early research on a mix of CBD, Centella asiatica, and silymarin showed some good results for acne - especially the red, angry kind.

It’s a small study, but people saw a clear drop in spots without the usual dryness or irritation. 

It’s not a go-to treatment just yet, but if your skin doesn’t get on with stronger stuff, this could be something to ask about.
Three-panel flat-lay: first shows a row of skincare bottles with a pause symbol, second a desk calendar highlighting two weeks, third a single product with a green check mark—illustrating how to pause, reset, and slowly re-introduce products when acne won’t clear.

When Acne Won’t Clear, Reset and Rethink

If breakouts still show up no matter what you try, it's time to take a step back. Stress plays a real part in acne. It raises oil levels, causes inflammation, and make treatments less effective.

Sometimes your skin just needs a break. When you've been using the same products for too long, they can stop working like they used to. Take a couple of weeks off, then ease back in to help reset your skin.

Next Steps for Persistent Acne

If your acne’s still holding on, don’t scrap everything—just change the approach. Here’s a simple way to get started:

  • Look at what you’re combining (or not combining)

  • Check your routine for hidden pore-cloggers

  • Take note of any food, stress, or habits that seem to line up with flare-ups

  • Don’t be afraid to ask your GP about options like low-dose isotretinoin or light-based treatments

Have you tried something that made a difference - or spotted something that held you back? Leave a comment and share what you've found helpful.
You must not rely on the information on our website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
Still Figuring Things Out? These Might Help

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

crosschevron-down