We all know how important it is to have a good skin care routine. After all, it is the largest organ in our body and we are literally covered in it! And our face is the first representation of our skin. If you have an acne-prone skin, it’s even more important to focus on a really good skin care regimen.
Probably the most important skin care product is a good facial cleanser. We all know it, and professionals and dermatologists recommend it. This is to ensure that the skin is free of dirt, excess oil, and other impurities before applying any other products such as serums and moisturizers. One of the main causes of acne and irritation is the dirt and impurities, like clogged pores, bacteria and dead skin cells.
What is the best type of cleanser for an acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, it is recommended to use foaming cleansers as they have pore penetrating capabilities. It cleans deep into the pores to avoid further occurrence of acne while keeping the skin clean and refreshed.
However, for those with dry and sensitive skin, it is advisable to use a different kind of cleanser because a foaming cleanser requires foaming agents that’s making them a little bit harsh and can cause drying.
You can use a cleanser cream, which we talked about in the different types of face cream
Toner works as a cleanser in a way that it gently eliminates dirt and makeup residue on the skin while keeping it moisturized and refreshed. Although it is not necessary to use it every day, it is most helpful for people with acne-prone or oily skin as it helps in controlling the oil in the skin. It also lessens the appearance of enlarged pores caused by excessive oil production. Another benefit of using a toner is that it minimizes breakouts without irritating or drying out the skin. For oily and acne-prone skin, choose a toner with a lighter formula and to avoid alcohol that may dry out your skin and produce more oil. We also talked about different types of toner here.
Serums and creams for acne-prone skin
Since people with oily or acne-prone skin often have larger pores, it is preferable to use a serum designed for their skin type to help balance the skin and make acne more controllable. These serums are the ones without comedogenic ingredients which may worsen acne. While people with acne-prone skin mostly have an oily skin, it also needs hydration and serum is perfect for oily skin as it is composed of smaller molecules that penetrate deeper into the skin and keep the skin healthy compared to an average cream or moisturizer.
Whether you are having breakouts or not, you may wish to use acne cream as a preventive measure if you have oily or acne-prone skin. But to completely clear acne, one must use acne cream religiously, it is like a treatment or medication and should be part of the skincare routine. It is typically applied once or twice a day on the entire area of the skin before using a moisturizer. It is expected though to have a few more breakouts when you begin an acne treatment as the medication causes immediate destruction of acne bacteria. This results in more inflammation but will eventually subside with continuous usage of the treatment.
Two more must-haves in any skincare routine: moisturizer and sunscreen
Moisturizer has got to be the one that no one should miss in any skincare routine because this oversees the moisture and elasticity of our skin. Regular usage of moisturizer also aids in reducing wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. For oily or acne-prone skin, a moisturizer is needed especially when using acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid which may cause dryness. Using face cream will keep skin moisturized while fighting breakouts without losing the skin’s natural glow. These moisturizers should say oil-free or non-comedogenic which are normally light moisturizing lotions.
For sensitive skin, choose a moisturizer that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
Nowadays, using sunscreen is vital because direct sunlight can cause great damage to our skin. this does not only protect our skin from the dangerous rays of the sun but also helps in reducing the signs of aging and limiting the appearance of sunspots. For people with oily or acne-prone skin, it is recommended to use gel sunscreen as the formulation is light and water-based, making them lightweight and non-sticky. it is best to choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 50 protection together with the non-oily fee and non-comedogenic ingredients.
Finally, if you want to give your skin an extra boost, you can also add in a facial mask treatment
A clay mask is beneficial to oily or acne-prone skin as it absorbs oil from your skin and this will stop any form of acne, like pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Using a clay mask also helps purify skin. However since they are perfect for absorbing excess oil, clay masks should not stay on the skin for more than 15 minutes and should only be used 3 times or less in a week. Using a cooling sheet mask is also favorable for oily or acne-prone skin, as they are great in soothing sensitive or inflamed skin. A cooling sheet mask also helps in hydrating as it distributes the moisturizer evenly on the skin via paper.
