If you struggle with acne-prone skin, you’ve probably tried your fair share of products and services to deal with breakouts and acne scarring. Up to 50 million Americans annually struggle with acne, so if you fall into this category, you are not alone. While it can be defeating and take a toll on your confidence, there are steps you can take to improve your skin’s condition and achieve a clearer complexion that can be so simple you might not even have thought about it. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind for acne-prone skin:
Dos for Acne-Prone Skin
- Gentle Cleansing: Use a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser to gently remove dirt and oil without irritating your skin. If you’re wearing makeup, always do a double cleanse to first wash the makeup off and then the second cleanse to wash your face once the layer of grime is removed. Try to avoid harsh soaps or abrasive scrubs that can exacerbate acne.
- Regular Exfoliation: While you should always try to avoid abrasive physical exfoliants on your skin, it’s still important to exfoliate in other ways to gently remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Try using a chemical exfoliant with ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid (AHA/BHA), or a very gentle physical exfoliant.
- Moisturize Daily: Even if you have oily skin, it’s important to moisturize regularly as oily skin that isn’t moisturized can produce more oil. A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer can help hydrate your skin without clogging pores.
- Protect Your Skin from the Sun: Sunscreen is a must if you are dealing with acne scarring and hyperpigmentation from acne. Even if it’s an overcast day, sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. Choose a non-comedogenic sunscreen that won’t clog your pores from brands like CeraVe, EltaMD, La Roche-Posay, and more.
- Consider Professional Treatments: If you’re looking for a professional to evaluate and treat your skin, facials can be a great way to decongest your skin and target clogged pores. Look for medical spas that do facials near you like red light therapy, hydra facials, or microdermabrasion for acne-prone skin.
- Manage Stress: Unfortunately, stress can contribute to the breakouts you might be experiencing. Although it’s hard to rid your life of common stressors, practice stress-management techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to alleviate.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help improve your overall skin health. Limit your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and dairy.
- Get Enough Sleep: Coinciding with alleviating stress, try to aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. A lack of sleep can contribute to hormonal imbalances and acne breakouts.
Don’ts for Acne-Prone Skin
- Touching Your Face: When we have breakouts, it’s very common to want to pick and poke at them to get rid of them. Try to avoid touching your face as this can transfer dirt, oil, and bacteria to your skin. Not to mention, picking blemishes can lead to worse scarring once it’s gone.
- Not Washing Your Pillowcase: If you think about it, every night you are rubbing your face along with any oils or dirt still there or collected overnight onto your pillow. If you don’t change your pillowcase out often enough for a clean one, this can be the pesky but simple reason you are getting breakouts.
- Using Comedogenic Products: Avoid using products that contain ingredients known to clog pores, such as mineral oil, lanolin, and coconut oil.
- Popping Pimples: As mentioned before, it’s important to resist the urge to pop pimples, as this can lead to scarring and infection.
- Using Harsh Exfoliants: Scrubbing your skin too hard with harsh physical exfoliants can irritate your skin and worsen acne. Opt for gentle exfoliation methods and those that don’t have micro-plastics or abrasive salts.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to managing acne-prone skin. By following these dos and don’ts, you can improve your skin’s condition and achieve a clearer complexion. If you have severe acne or are not seeing results, consult with a dermatologist for personalized advice.