Adult acne and acne scarring affect roughly 40% of Indian adults aged 25–40. Topical creams alone often fail because acne is multifactorial — hormonal, inflammatory, microbial and lifestyle-driven. Modern dermatology offers a layered protocol that addresses each driver. Here's what actually works.
If you still have active breakouts, treating scars first is pointless — new ones will form. Active acne is managed with: topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, oral antibiotics or isotretinoin for moderate-severe cases, hormonal evaluation for women with cystic jaw-line acne, and salicylic-based chemical peels every 3–4 weeks.