Having acne-prone skin seems like a full-time job. You must regulate your dietary habits as well as your skincare routine around your skin. But, while others might also do the same, they at least don’t have to worry about facing the consequences of bulging pimples!
It turns out that acne-prone skin is quite common. According to data collected by Mario Badescu, 95 percent of people have experienced acne at some point in their lives. And 50 percent of adult women have acne. So overall, the skin issue affects over 50 million Americans alone annually.
If you are one of them, there is no need to panic. Instead, you can easily manage your acne by adopting a proper skincare routine and regimen. This will help you remove excess sebum from your face, keep your poles clean, and speed up the healing of existing pimples.
In a world full of products and conflicting opinions about skincare, here is a daily skincare regimen that will help you look your best.
- Cleanse gently but thoroughly
One of the biggest triggers of acne is excess dirt, sweat, and oil on the face. If you wear makeup, not washing away the product properly can also lead to an outbreak.
To prevent this from happening, make sure that you cleanse your face every morning and night. This will help you get rid of any traces of dirt, makeup, or sweat that might have accumulated on your face throughout the day. In addition, make a habit of doing a double wash at night. This calls for cleansing, rinsing, and repeating the process for a second time.
If you have mild breakouts, you can use any cleanser that has salicylic or benzoyl peroxide in it. However, if you have intense breakouts and are taking medications for it, you will need a non-medicated cleanser that suits your prescriptions. Again, a dermatologist will be best able to guide you.
Overall, Cetaphil and Neutrogena bar is safe cleansers to include in your regimen.
Always try to cleanse your face gently by merely using your fingertips when washing your face. Don’t scrub aggressively or use any rough pads. Solely, your fingers will suffice.
- Use a toner
Toners, or astringents, are pretty helpful for removing excess sebum from the face and hydrating the skin.
After washing your face, take a cotton ball, dab a small amount of toner on it and gently run the cotton ball over your face as well as your neck. This will help in removing both cleanser residue and remaining dirt from your face.
Toners and astringents are specifically designed for oily skin since they work by removing excess sebum from the face. But, if your skin is dry (either naturally or due to acne treatment), you might want to specifically select a hydrating toner.
For those of you with sensitive skin, opt for toners that don’t have alcohol in them. Also, be specifically careful if you have open pimples. This is because alcohol-based products tend to sting open pimples.
- Moisturize
A common misconception among many is that acne-prone oily skin does not need moisturizers. After all, how much more oil can skin consume?
Well, moisturizers help hydrate the skin – an essential step for the health of all skin types. Additionally, most acne medications tend to make a point of drying out the skin to prevent blemishes. This leaves the skin stripped off of its natural oil. Applying a moisturizer twice a day can prevent the skin from peeling.
Moreover, contrary to popular belief, moisturizers don’t always have to be oily and greasy. You can find a product made specifically for oily skin types that won’t further aggravate your acne while providing your skin with the hydration it needs.
You can opt for gels or lotions instead of creams since they tend to be lighter than creams. Opt for non-comedogenic and oil-free products. Try out a few brands and see which best suits your skin. There is no universally correct answer for this one.
As a point of reference, Harper Bazar dubs Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer, Plump It Up Nourishing Facial Cream, and Green Tea Oil-free Moisturizer to be worthy choices. But, again, we suggest that you test it out yourself.
- Pamper your skin with a mask
Life tends to be hectic. We understand that you cannot use face masks every day. Therefore, we won’t suggest you do so either. Instead, aim for pampering your skin with a face mask, at most three times a week.
A well-formulated face mask can help in profoundly exfoliating the skin and getting rid of any impurities that might persist on the skin. Not to mention that it also provides the skin with much-needed anti-oxidants.
One face mask that gets the job done is a Clear Skin Probiotic Masque.
This product is made for acne-prone skin and is equipped with a variety of beneficial ingredients. This includes cucumber, yogurt, shea butter, BioComplex, and Tea Tree Oil. Together, these ingredients help eliminate the scars of current pimples and exfoliate the skin against future outbreaks.
Bonus Step: Apply sunscreen!
If you are on acne treatment, we would strongly advise you to apply sunscreen when stepping out of the house. This is because most acne treatments, especially isotretinoin, cause extreme sensitivity to sunlight. To combat this, use any oil-free SPF 30 sunscreen.
Follow your regimen religiously
Regardless of how tired you are, you must follow your skincare routine religiously. Unless you wish for pimples to ruin your self-esteem and important events, you need to take care of your skin.
Cleanse your face and apply toner both in the morning and at night. Apply moisturizer at least once every day and use a face mask on the weekends. Make sure to use quality products for each of these steps. Whenever in doubt, consult a dermatologist for guidance.
Don’t take any chances when it comes to your skin! It might seem like an unfulfilling chore at the start, but with commitment, you will surely notice a difference in the health and appearance of your skin.
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