1. Wash the affected area gently twice a day using a mild cleanser. Washing too frequently, rubbing the skin too vigorously, or using too abrasive facial masks can make acne worse.
2. Apply over-the-counter acne treatment products that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. It's important to wait 5-15 minutes after you cleanse your skin before applying any topical acne medication. If you apply the medication immediately after washing your face, it may actually irritate the skin and result in whiteheads.
3. Apply tea tree oil to the skin to fight whiteheads naturally. Use a product containing at least 5% tea tree oil. Saturate a cotton ball with the oil and dab it on the affected area once a day. (If you use 100% pure tea tree oil, make sure to dilute it, otherwise you will end up irritating the skin.) Although it may take longer to work (approximately three months), studies have shown that tea tree oil is as effective over time at fighting inflammation as benzoyl peroxide but has fewer side effects.
4. Give the medication time to work. Despite claims to the contrary, skin-clearing products don't work overnight. It can take 6-8 weeks to see improvement, and up to 6 months to get really clear skin. Be patient and keep up your skincare regimen.
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