As important as it is to treat acne internally, an excellent acne-prone skincare routine is a must to get rid of it as fast as possible. A simple routine is best. After all, it will be kinder to your skin and keep you motivated because it will have fewer steps.
Table of Contents
Causes of acne:
Our skin produces sebum, an oil that carries out dead skin cells through our hair follicles onto the skin. Sometimes your follicles may become clogged with these dead skin cells and sebum, which is a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria and can lead to acne. Some of the main causes of this development happening are:
- Hormonal changes
- Dry skin
- Diet
- Certain skincare products
- Stress
- Genes
Morning acne-prone skincare routine
Step 1: Cleanse
Mornings are reserved for gentle calming cleansers because of the trans-epidermal water loss (loss of water from the inside body through the epidermis into the surrounding atmosphere through diffusion) your skin typically goes through at night. So a cleanser that does not overdry your skin is best. There are a lot of underlying causes of acne, and having dry skin is one of them; hence you choose to use a gentle cleanser.
Cleansers with benzoyl peroxide will eliminate the bacteria that cause acne and unclog the dead skin cells and excess oil in your skin. My favorite cleanser for an acne-prone skincare routine is the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, which is gentle yet super effective.
If you want something even milder, the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is simple and mild and won’t aggravate your acne.
Step 2: Tone
Mandelic acid is so underrated and, in my opinion, is by far one of the best exfoliating acids. Its gentle, anti-bacterial, controls sebum production, is anti-aging, and is excellent for sensitive skin. Most other exfoliating acids can be harsh when not used with caution.
The ideal toner in the morning for an acne-prone skincare routine would be my personal favorite, By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water. I could rave about this toner all day, but to put it in a nutshell- a masterpiece. It is also fragrance-free and alcohol-free.
Step 3: Moisturise
No matter how oily your skin may be or feel, do not forget to moisturize it because it will send mixed signals to your oil glands. Your skin may produce more sebum, leading to dehydrated/dry acne-prone skin, and I promise that that’s the worst combo.
Make sure that the moisturizer you opt for is non-comedogenic and oil-free.
There are several great lightweight moisturizers on the market for acne-prone skin. My favorite moisturizer for acne-prone skin is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, and it will give your skin the right amount of hydration it needs without clogging your pores.
Step 4: SPF
Wearing sunscreen can’t be stressed enough because SPF is necessary for all your effort toward your skin to become valuable. Direct sunlight can be very detrimental to your skin’sskin’s health, and it should be protected by all means to reduce the chances of worsening acne scars (when the acne heals) and avoid premature aging, amongst many other things.
My favorite sunscreen for acne-prone skin is the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 if you have skin that is a bit dry and the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50 if your skin is oily.
This is the perfect sunscreen because it is 100% mineral, which you should opt for when you are acne-prone. It is also ideal for dark skin tones because it does not leave a white cast.
If you are more of a fan of tinted sunscreen, you can opt for Hueguard Mineral SPF 30 by Live Tinted. It will give you that extra glow without putting on makeup.
Nighttime acne-prone skincare routine
This is where all the fun begins! Our skin repairs itself at night, making it the best time to treat your skin and address all individual concerns, such as acne. The nighttime can be used to incorporate more active ingredients.
Just always make sure you wash your face at night. It is essential because if you don’t, you will go to bed with clogged pores from all the environmental toxins you gather all day which can worsen the acne, and I know you don’tdon’t want that happening.
Step 1: Oil cleanse
The popularity of oil cleansing has grown over the past years, and it makes sense because it is a game-changer in almost any skincare routine, and I highly recommend it. What better way to fight oil than with oil.
Oil cleansing is also great if you wear makeup because it will break it down and eliminate most of it from a single cleanse leaving those pores cleaner than ever. Avoid makeup wipes because they are full of harsh ingredients that are unsafe for the skin because they dry and irritate it.
The best oil cleanser I recommend is the DearKlairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil. When I say this stuff works, I mean it. A cheap and effective oil cleanser that I can’t help but repurchase repeatedly.
Step 2: Cleanse
Salicylic acid is best incorporated through a cleanser because it is a wash-off treatment and won’twon’t leave the skin overly dry (avoid drying acne-prone skin by all means). It exfoliates the skin and deeply cleans your pores by breaking down all the build-up, unclogging the pores. After the second cleanse, your skin will be thoroughly clean and the perfect foundation for the next steps.
You can use the same cleanser in the morning and at night. So the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser will do just fine.
Another great cleanser is Facetheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 (unscented). This cleanser is a powerhouse with Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid and works perfectly for acne-prone skincare routines.
Step 3: Treat
Rotation is vital with treatments because putting too many potent ingredients at once can be very harsh on the skin. A compromised skin barrier can make many of these products ineffective, so ensure your skin barrier is in good condition before using acne treatments. Start small and build your tolerance gradually for optimal results.
The best active ingredients to treat acne are retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and sulfur. You can opt for products that blend two or more ingredients mentioned to tackle your acne from different angles.
My favorite acne-prone skincare routine treatment products are:
- Differin gel. With long-term use, you will see an improvement in the texture of your skin and a reduction in acne. Adapalene can dry, so use it cautiously or on top of your moisturizer.
- Mario Badescu Drying lotion as a spot treatment now and then. Now please don’t go ahead and cover your entire face with this.
- Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant.
I have an entire post on different acne treatments available for you. Go have a look at it because you’ll likely find something.
Step 4: Moisturize
Since skin goes through regeneration and healing from environmental stressors at night, it is best to use a moisturizer to help your skin repair its barrier. A moisturizer rich in ceramides and balancing properties to calm the inflammation from acne.
Just like in the morning, your moisturizer should be oil-free and non-comedogenic.
The CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is one of my favorites and is filled with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. It’sIt’s non-greasy and works perfectly well for acne-prone skin.
Body acne (aka Bacne) routine
Common causes of body acne are friction from your clothing. A great example is bras in general or sports bras. Bags rubbing agonist your back can also cause it.
Your hair care products when going onto your skin, and you don’tdon’t wash them off properly. They can clog the pores in your body.
Avoid scrubbing your skin when you have body acne, as this will worsen it.
Cleanse
Wash your back with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleansers. Just like your face, you want to ensure that you unclog your pores to reduce the chances of the acne recurring and eliminate the existing one.
The CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser can be used on the body as well.
PanOxyl Maximum Strength, Acne Foaming Wash, is one of the market’s best cleansers with benzoyl peroxide. It will unclog your pores and eliminate all the dirt in them.
Treatment
The best body treatment for body acne is Differin. It is potent and will work on a cellular level to eliminate your acne. Use it about twice a week and work your way up gradually.
Moisturize
Moisturize your skin regularly with the right moisturizer. It should be non-comedogenic and preferably oil-free.
The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Dry Skin and CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Normal To Dry Skin are my favorite lightweight yet effective lotions to ensure my skin is moisturized. They are also fragrance-free which is great for body acne.
About once or twice a week, you should use an exfoliating body lotion to remove any excess dead skin and unclog your pores. CeraVe SA Body Lotion For Rough and Bumpy Skin is very effective at delivering the best exfoliation.
Bonus: Things to avoid
There are a lot of things that you should do to get rid of the acne and avoid it from recurring:
- Don’t wear clothes that are too tight.
- Ensure you cleanse your body thoroughly if you wash your hair in the sower.
- Avoid sitting in your sweat for prolonged periods.
- Sun protection is also crucial for your body. Remember to use it consistently.
- Practice healthy and balanced eating.
- Resist popping your pimples!
- Avoid body scrubs.
Conclusion
Consistency is critical in your routine; expect results only after that. Be patient with your skin and treat it well; the acne will eventually diminish. Eat a healthy balanced diet and avoid picking your face because it will worsen the inflammation and lead to acne scarring, which is another problem. Once you follow all the steps, you will channel acne-free, healthy skin. Book a visit with your dermatologist if your acne is not improving for more intense and curated acne treatments.
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