Treating adult acne can feel like one big science experiment—until now. This is the guy’s guide to adult acne. Read the rest of the stories here .

E VERYONE KNOWS NOT to squeeze a pimple, so what’s a grown-ass man supposed to do to clear his acne? Consider this your official guide to treating breakouts at home or with the help of a dermatologist.

At Home

Below are the most effective ingredients available in over-the-counter (OTC) acne products. Use ’em daily to keep breakouts at bay and combine them for the best results…provided your skin doesn’t freak out. Whether you use an ingredient in a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, or as a targeted spot treatment depends on what your skin can handle.

Salicylic Acid

As a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells and dissolves excess sebum that can clog pores, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital.…