Caring for acne-prone skin can be difficult and confusing. In today's blog, we cover exactly what an effective anti-acne skincare routine looks like!
How is an Anti-Acne Skincare Routine Different From a Regular Routine?
When it comes to acne-prone skin, a skincare routine that is not right for your skin type or doesn't address your specific concerns can end up causing more harm than good.
We all know the frustration of trying a new skincare product, only for our skin to break out the next morning, or for it to burn with irritation and redness.
Oftentimes, acne-prone skin can mean very sensitive skin too, which means being able to know which ingredients are right for your skin, and which ones to avoid completely. Knowing what an effective anti-acne skincare routine looks like will help you not only treat your skin to look and feel its best but to avoid all of the frustration that comes with seemingly random breakouts and pimples from ineffective skincare.
Anti-Acne Ingredients You Should Look Out For
Many of the ingredients we list here are easily and readily available at your local drugstore or pharmacy.
- Salicylic Acid - This works to unclog pores and reduces inflammation. If you struggle with noninflammatory acne such as blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid helps the skin to shed dead cells from the top layer and decrease inflammation too.
- Benzoyl Peroxide - A well-known ingredient for fighting acne and readily available in over-the-counter cleansers and gels, benzoyl peroxide works to treat and prevent acne by killing the bacteria underneath the skin, and therefore works best on inflammatory acne.
- Retinoids - A prime ingredient for exfoliation, retinoids and their other forms help to unclog pores, exfoliate the skin, and increase collagen production in the skin. They also help to reduce inflammation and are readily available in serums and moisturizers.
A Perfect Morning Anti-Acne Routine
1. Cleanser.Cleansing the skin in the morning with a gentle cleanser is essential for all skincare routines, but if you're struggling with inflammatory or noninflammatory acne, we recommend you seek out cleansers for your specific skin type. For example, those with oily skin can try Cetaphil Oil-Removing Foam Wash.
2. Toner. Use a toner to remove any excess oil from your skin that is clogging your pores and contributing to breakouts. Toners are especially important for acne prone skin because they help reduce pore-clogging dirt, debris, and makeup that your cleanser may be leaving behind. Think of it as an extra safety precaution against bacteria and dirt on the skin.
3. Moisturizer. Regardless of your skin type, it's important to always keep your skin hydrated. With that said, if you have acne-prone skin, you want to say clear of ingredients like petrolatum and coconut oil, as they can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Instead, look for ingredients like salicylic acid, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
4. Sunscreen. Speaking from experience, greasy, oily sunscreen feels gross on your skin, especially if you have acne-prone skin. It can feel like you're adding even MORE oil to your face and clogging your pores even further. But trust us, there are tons of well-formulated SPFs that can protect your skin without irritating it and causing breakouts. When exposed to infrared heat from the sun, acne flares up even more! So go get yourself a good SPF!
In conclusion...
Finding products and creating a routine that helps you look and feel your best can be frustrating, time-consuming, and difficult if you have acne-prone skin. Luckily, by knowing what ingredients work to most effectively treat acne, and how to incorporate these into an effective, simple routine, treating acne-prone skin can be a lot easier than you might think.
As discussed, some of the main ingredients to look out for with acne-prone skin include:
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Salicylic Acid - This works to unclog pores and reduces inflammation. It also helps the skin to shed dead cells from the top layer and decreases inflammation too.Benzoyl Peroxide - Benzoyl peroxide works to treat and prevent acne by killing the bacteria underneath the skin, and therefore works best on inflammatory acne.Retinoids - A prime ingredient for exfoliation, retinoids and their other forms help to unclog pores, exfoliate the skin, and increase collagen production in the skin.
Now with these ingredients in mind, a simple, yet effective, skincare routine would look something like this:
- Cleanser. Cleansing the skin in the morning with a gentle cleanser is essential for all skincare routines, but if you're struggling with inflammatory or noninflammatory acne, we recommend you seek out cleansers for your specific skin type. For example, those with oily skin can try Cetaphil Oil-Removing Foam Wash.
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Toner.Toners are especially important for acne-prone skin because they help reduce pore-clogging dirt, debris, and makeup that your cleanser may be leaving behind. Think of it as an extra safety precaution against bacteria and dirt on the skin.
- Moisturizer. Regardless of your skin type, it's important to always keep your skin hydrated. Instead, look for ingredients like salicylic acid, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
- Sunscreen. Speaking from experience, greasy, oily sunscreen feels gross on your skin, especially if you have acne-prone skin. When exposed to infrared heat from the sun, acne flares up even more! So go get yourself a good SPF!
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