Photo courtesy of Cindy Malette.

Simple skin care routine for acne-prone skin

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Acne is a war between two fingers wanting to pop the pimple and the soap on the counter. Having acne-prone skin is difficult, even more so if one does not know how to manage it. There are four crucial steps for a simple skincare routine.

1.Cleanser: Many people have the misconception that a good cleanser strips all of the natural oils from the face. This is false. After a cleanser, the skin should feel clean,not tight and oil-free. In addition, ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide would benefit acne-prone skin greatly due to their gentle exfoliating properties. PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide is a good, inexpensive facial wash that includes benzoyl peroxide. 

2. Moisturize: Heavy moisturizers should not be used for acne-prone skin. Also, avoid ingredients with drying properties and fragrance, like alcohol, since it can lead to sensitivity to the skin over time. Examples of common alcohol would include, alcohol, denatured alcohol, methanol, and ethanol. Fragrance is usually advertised in products as either “fragrance” or “perfume,” while other general fragrances would include rosa damascena and citrus sinensis. Ingredients in effective moisturizer include hyaluronic acid and glycerin, both of which are humectants that benefit the skin by drawing in moisture from its surroundings. One low-priced moisturizer is the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, which has both hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

3.Sunscreen: Sunscreen helps prevent premature aging and skin cancer. There are two types of sunscreen, chemical and physical. Avobenzone and oxybenzone, both are usually the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens and can absorb the ultraviolet light from the sun. Physical sunscreens are composed of minerals, similar to zinc or titanium dioxide. Many dermatologists recommend sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or above. Both Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion (with an SPF of 55) and Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen (with an SPF of 50) are effective and affordable choices for sunscreen.

4.Exfoliation: Chemical exfoliates are one of the most gentle ways to get rid of the dead skin. Ingredients such as glycolic and lactic acids are known as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), which are similar to salicylic acid. When using a chemical exfoliant with AHA’s, be sure to either do it at night or wear a strong sunscreen if used in the morning. In addition, be sure to not exfoliate too often; one should exfoliate two days a week at most, but the recommended frequency depends on the product. The Ordinary’s low-priced AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution provides deep exfoliation due to it’s high concentration of both AHA’s and BHA’s.

Overall, taking care of the skin is important, but it is also crucial to know what is in the product. Having clear skin is nice, but remember that good things also come with patience.

(This post is not giving medical advice, please go to your doctor or dermatologist if there are any skin concerns or questions)

 

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5 thoughts on “Simple skin care routine for acne-prone skin

  1. Nice article! You are sharing a good skincare routine to deal with acne prone skin. I can add some new steps in my skincare routine. Thanks a lot for sharing.

     

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