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olatemplates.comAn independent guide to portfolio templates

Checklist

Portfolio template setup checklist

You picked a template. Now turn it into a finished site, in an order that saves you from redoing work.

Prepare before you touch the template

  • Your project list, in the order you want to show it.
  • Images, exported at a sensible size. Very large files slow the site down.
  • Short texts for each project: title, brief, your role and the result.
  • A one-line description of what you do, for the top of the homepage.
  • Contact details you are happy to make public.

The setup, step by step

  1. Set the basics. Site name, fonts and colors. Change as little as you can; the template's defaults were chosen for a reason.
  2. Write the homepage line. One sentence that says what you do and for whom.
  3. Add your strongest project. Build one complete project page first. It shows you how the template handles your real material.
  4. Add the rest. Copy the structure of the first project page for every other one.
  5. Delete the leftovers. Remove every placeholder page, image and sample text you didn't use.
  6. Set up contact. Make sure the contact link works from every page.
  7. Connect your domain. A short address of your own looks more professional than a platform subdomain.
Four fixed blocks: header, main work, details and contact. Every page of a good template follows a pattern like this.

Checks before you share the link

  1. Phone test. Open every page on your phone.
  2. Link test. Click every link, including the contact link.
  3. Spelling. Read every page out loud once.
  4. Speed. Load the site on mobile data, not just on fast wifi.

Tip: Keep a simple text file with your project texts outside the template. If you ever switch templates, you can move in an afternoon.

Writing the project texts

The texts are where most setups stall. Use the same short pattern for every project so you don't start from a blank page each time: one line on the client or context, two or three lines on the problem, a few lines on what you did, and one line on the result. Once the pattern is set, each new project takes minutes instead of hours.

Write the titles last. A title that sums up the result ("A clearer booking flow for a small clinic") says more than a client name on its own.

Images without the headache

Export every image at the width the template actually shows, usually somewhere around twice the column width for sharp screens. Name the files after the project, not "final-final-2". Add a short description to each image so screen readers and search engines know what it shows. It takes a few extra minutes and makes the whole site faster and easier to use.

If a project has many images, pick the five that tell the story best. Visitors rarely scroll through twenty near-identical screens.

After launch

  1. Share one link. Add it to your email signature and every profile you use.
  2. Ask for one round of feedback. One honest friend is enough. Fix what they stumble over.
  3. Plan a refresh. Every few months, replace your weakest project with something newer.
  4. Keep the basics working. Check the contact link and your domain renewal date once in a while.

A setup checklist for your skin

A template saves you from guessing because the order of work is fixed. A routine template for acne-prone skin does the same: wash twice a day with a mild cleanser, apply one treatment, then a nonoily moisturizer with sunscreen. The open question is which treatment fills that slot, and this guide to the best acne treatments answers it by acne type, from adapalene for clogged pores to a doctor's prescription for deep cysts.

Best acne treatments

The best acne treatments are rarely the strongest: low-strength benzoyl peroxide works as well as the 10% tubes, and your breakout type matters more than the percent. Deep cysts and stubborn jawline flares are where prescriptions come in.

Over-the-counter adapalene (a retinoid), benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and azelaic acid are where the best acne treatments start for blackheads, red pimples and dark spots; cystic or hormonal acne that won't clear needs a prescription.

  • OTC: mild to moderate
  • Prescription: moderate to severe
  • Strength for each
  • Pregnancy notes

Last reviewed · Checked against the AAD, NIH sources and clinical trials

Acne treatments compared by acne typeRows run from first-line, over-the-counter care to prescription pills. Bars: OTC · prescription cream · prescription pill.
TreatmentWhat it doesBest forStrengthOTC or RxTime to resultsPregnancyExample product
Benzoyl peroxideKills acne bacteria, clears excess oil and dead skin cellsRed pimples, mild to moderate acne2.5% to 10%OTC2 to 3 monthsAsk your doctor firstCeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser (4%), PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash (10%)
Adapalene 0.1%Retinoid that unclogs pores and stops new breakoutsBlackheads, whiteheads, some pimples0.1%OTC2 to 3 monthsAvoid (topical retinoid)Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%)
Salicylic acidOpens clogged pores and exfoliatesWhiteheads and pimples0.5% to 2%OTC2 to 3 monthsAsk your doctor firstCeraVe Acne Control Cleanser (2%)
Azelaic acidKeeps pores open, mildly antibacterial, fades dark spotsAcne that leaves dark spots10% OTC, 20% RxOTC or Rx2 to 3 monthsRx azelaic acid is an optionThe Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
TretinoinPrescription retinoid that stops pores pluggingBlackheads, whiteheads, moderate acneSet by your doctorRx cream or gel4 to 8 weeksAvoid (topical retinoid)
ClascoteroneCream that treats the hormonal causes of acneModerate to severe acne, males and females 12+1% creamRx cream4 to 8 weeksAsk your doctor first
Topical clindamycin with benzoyl peroxideAntibiotic and benzoyl peroxide in one, with less risk of resistanceMild to moderate red acne1% clindamycin + 5% BP, or 1.2% + 2.5%Rx gel4 to 8 weeksAsk your doctor first
Oral antibiotics (doxycycline)Pill that cuts bacteria and inflammation, for the shortest timeModerate to severe pimples, not nodulesSet by your doctorRx pill4 to 8 weeksNo tetracyclines; ask about a macrolide
SpironolactoneBlocks androgen hormones at the oil glandsWomen with stubborn chin and jawline acneSet by your doctorRx pill, women only4 to 8 weeksNever: can cause severe birth defects
Combined birth control pillEstrogen and progestin pill; some are FDA-approved for acneWomen whose acne flares with their periodSet by your doctorRx pill, women onlyA few monthsTell your doctor if pregnant or planning to be
IsotretinoinOral retinoid that shrinks the oil glandsSevere nodular acne other treatments didn't clearSet by your doctorRx pill, FDA risk program4 to 8 weeksNever: severe birth defects

Time to results: over-the-counter products 2 to 3 months of daily use; most prescription acne drugs 4 to 8 weeks; the pill 2 to 3 months (AAD). Pregnancy: AAD. Example products: ingredient and strength checked on each brand's own product page; not endorsements. Prescription doses are your doctor's call.

How to choose an acne treatment

Choosing an acne treatment is matching an active ingredient to the kind of breakout you have. It means your acne type, not the brand, decides the pick, and our guide to acne types and how to treat each one shows how to tell them apart. The strength of the product matters less than you'd think: lower-strength benzoyl peroxide works as well as higher strengths.

  1. Match the ingredient to the acne type. Blackheads and whiteheads: a retinoid such as adapalene, or salicylic acid. Red pimples: benzoyl peroxide. Dark spots after acne: azelaic acid.
  2. Start with one product. If you're unsure, start with benzoyl peroxide, adapalene or both, at a lower strength.
  3. Give it 6 to 8 weeks. That's how long it takes to see fewer breakouts. Acne may get worse before it gets better.
  4. Add a second only if needed. For stubborn acne, use two different active ingredients, one in the morning and one at night.
  5. See a doctor for cysts or scarring. Also when nothing has helped after 2 to 3 months.

Best acne treatments over the counter

Over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments are products you can buy without a prescription. They mean mild to moderate acne can be treated at home, and a good acne treatment at home uses just one or two of the four below. The strength of each ingredient is printed on the label as a percentage.

Benzoyl Peroxide
Kills acne-causing bacteria and removes excess oil and dead skin cells. Sold from 2.5% to 10%; lower strengths work as well as higher ones. It can bleach hair and fabric and sting sensitive skin.
Topical Retinoids (Adapalene 0.1%)
Adapalene is a retinoid that unclogs pores and prevents new breakouts, sold without a prescription at 0.1%. Use it in the evening and protect your skin from the sun. Skip skin that is cut, sunburned or has eczema.
Salicylic Acid (0.5%–2%)
Opens clogged pores and exfoliates, which helps whiteheads and pimples. It comes as leave-on and wash-off products. Studies of how well it works are limited.
Azelaic Acid (10%)
Helps keep pores from plugging, is mildly antibacterial and fades the dark spots acne leaves behind. A 20% prescription cream or gel also exists.

Best acne treatments by prescription

Prescription acne treatment is medicine a doctor prescribes when over-the-counter products haven't worked after several weeks. It means stronger options for moderate to severe acne. The choice of prescription depends on your age, your acne type and its severity.

Prescription Retinoids
Tretinoin, tazarotene and trifarotene keep pores from plugging. They raise sun sensitivity and can dry and redden skin, especially brown or Black skin. Don't apply tretinoin at the same time as benzoyl peroxide.
Topical Combinations
Clindamycin paired with benzoyl peroxide lowers the risk of antibiotic resistance; a topical antibiotic alone isn't recommended. Clascoterone 1% cream treats the hormonal causes of acne in males and females aged 12 and up.
Oral Medications
Doxycycline and other antibiotics treat moderate to severe pimples for the shortest time, together with benzoyl peroxide. Spironolactone (women only) and the combined birth control pill target hormones; both are used for hormonal acne treatment. Isotretinoin is for severe nodular acne that hasn't responded to anything else and needs an FDA risk program.

Ask your doctor about any of these. Online acne treatment is another way to get a prescription.

Pimple patches and spot treatments

A pimple patch (hydrocolloid dressing) is a small sticky pad you put over a single spot. It means the spot is covered, so it's easier to leave alone. The limit of any spot treatment is that it reaches one pimple, not the pores around it.

Picking or squeezing raises the risk of infection and scarring. Retinoids are not spot treatments: they go on the whole area to stop new pimples forming.

General guidelines

General acne care is the daily routine that keeps even the best acne treatments working. It means gentle skin care while the active ingredient does its job. The success of treatment depends on sticking with it.

Be patient
Allow at least 6 to 8 weeks to see fewer breakouts, and 2 to 3 months for over-the-counter products.
Avoid irritation
Wash twice a day with a mild cleanser, warm water and your hands. Skip scrubs, astringents and masks. Choose noncomedogenic products and a nonoily moisturizer with sunscreen. Don't pick or squeeze.

Thinking of adding zinc or fish oil? This look at acne supplements and their trials finds only zinc has a pooled analysis behind it, so treat a supplement as an add-on to skin care, not a swap.

Reader questions

Short, plain answers to what people ask most.

What is the #1 best acne treatment?

Honestly, there isn't one. The AAD says the best treatment for one person isn't necessarily the best for another. If you just want a starting point, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, or both are the usual first picks.

What is the most effective acne drug?

It depends on the acne. For severe nodular acne that nothing else has cleared, dermatologists prescribe isotretinoin. It's strong stuff: it needs an FDA risk program and can't be taken in pregnancy. For most acne, combining medicines, like a retinoid with benzoyl peroxide, makes each one work better.

What is the most effective product for treating acne?

Look at the active ingredient, not the brand. Benzoyl peroxide and adapalene are the usual two to start with, and dermatologists often prescribe them together in one gel. Give whatever you pick 2 to 3 months.

What kills acne naturally?

Tea tree oil comes up a lot. In one trial, a 5% tea tree oil gel worked about as well as 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion, just slower, and some people get redness or irritation from it. Azelaic acid is natural too; it's found in grains like barley, wheat and rye.

What foods trigger acne?

Some studies link skim milk, whey protein and high-sugar diets to acne. Chocolate isn't directly linked. A balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables is the safe bet.

Sources

  1. American Academy of Dermatology: Acne diagnosis and treatment
  2. American Academy of Dermatology: When acne won't clear
  3. Tea tree oil versus benzoyl peroxide trial (Med J Aust, 1990), PMID 2145499
  4. NCCIH: Tea tree oil
  5. American Academy of Dermatology: Acne treatment during pregnancy
  6. American Academy of Dermatology: Hormonal therapy for acne

Last reviewed .

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. See a dermatologist if you have deep cysts or nodules, scarring, over-the-counter products haven't helped after 2 to 3 months, or you're pregnant and want treatment.