Acne is a skin condition common in both adults and children. It is caused by the blockage of pores on the skin due to excessive oil and dead skin cells’ production.
This blockage leads to the appearance of pimples and spots, which may develop into scars if not well managed.
It is most evident on the face but it also affects the chest and the back. It is not a life-threatening condition but the degree of severity may vary from one person to another.
Mild and moderate acne can be treated with over the counter medication, topical creams and proper diet. You may need to see a dermatologist who can prescribe stronger treatments for you for the more severe cases.
If you have been struggling with acne or have acne-prone skin, below are some simple acne routine skin care tips. They will guide you on the best way to take care of your skin and keep acne breakouts at bay.
Best Acne Skin Care Routine - The Don’ts
1. Don't Touch Your Face all the Time
Touching your face all the time can make your acne problem worse.
Why? Because your hands collect a lot of germs and bacteria when you touch surfaces, people, your phone, and other things. So when you touch your face, you transfer these bacteria to your skin which can irritate your skin and worsen your condition.
In addition, when you touch your face, there is always the temptation to pick, pop, or squeeze the pimples. Doing this leads to the development of open wounds that puts you at risk of infection. If the wounds do not heal well, you may develop permanent scars causing permanent damage to your skin.
When you stop touching and fiddling with your pimples, they will clear faster and will leave less noticeable marks that will fade with time. So resist the urge no matter how hard. It may require a bit of discipline on your part, but you will be glad you did it with time.
2. Don't Wash Your Face Too Much
Much as we’ve just recommended that you should keep your face clean, you should know that washing it too much can actually cause more damage to your skin. It may lead to dryness and cause it to become tender, meaning it can crack easily, opening the way for bacteria.
Unless you do physical work where you’re sweating a lot, washing the face two times a day is enough.
Also, avoid too much scrubbing as this can lead to irritation and inflammation. If you really have to scrub, use chemical exfoliating scrubs that are gentle on your skin.
Also, be careful about the kind of material you are using. Avoid any abrasive material that can irritate your skin. Also, do not use products that contain abrasives, alcohol, or fragrance.
3. Do Not Expose Your Skin to the Sun
Whether you have acne or not, the sun can cause a lot of damage to your skin. It is worse for people with acne-prone skin because even a small amount of sunlight can cause irritation and make your acne worse.
Also, some acne medications that are applied topically put users at risk of harm by dangerous sun rays. So you need to take precautions to reduce and even prevent damage from the sun.
If you have to go out in the sun, make sure that you use proper protection. An ideal solution is to wear sunscreen with SPF of between 30 and 50 because it protects your skin from harmful light. You can reapply it as often as possible to ensure that your skin is always protected.
You can also add a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your face and neck as these are some of the most exposed parts of the body. If your acne breakout is on the chest or back, remember to wear soft, breathable clothing when out in the sun.
Also, find out whether the medication you are using to treat your skin has warnings about exposure to the sun.
4. Don't Be Overly Reliant on Over the Counter Products
Many manufacturers make very bold claims about the effectiveness of their products. While some claims may be genuine, others are not.
Some manufacturers will say anything to convince you to buy their products. Some may even go to the extent of misrepresenting the ingredients in their products, which may mislead customers into buying products that are not genuine.
Some of these products have harmful ingredients like mercury, and these manufacturers may conveniently leave out that information or gloss over it. Even supposedly, 100 percent natural products are not necessarily good for your skin and may interact with other treatments worsening your acne and leading to other side effects.
For that reason, take the information provided by a manufacturer with a pinch of salt until a pharmacist or dermatologist confirms it. As mentioned before, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor first before trying any treatments.
So what are the recommended acne skincare routines?
Best Acne Skin Care Routine- The Do’s
1. Clean Your Skin At least Twice a Day
Proper management of acne involves cleaning your face well to prevent the build-up of dirt and bacteria. However, this has to be done gently because overdoing it may make your breakout even worse.
Ensure that you wash your face two times a day, preferably when you wake up and before you go to bed. You should do the same after sweating as sweat production causes excess oil and dirt, which clogs your pores.
To remove the dirt that may have accumulated on your skin, use a gentle cleanser or soap. The best cleansers should contain alpha-hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, or a combination of the two. These ingredients contain very effective acne-fighting components.
The ingredients are usually indicated on the bottle so before you buy any cream or gel, ensure you pay attention to that. After washing your face, do not apply acne ointments immediately. Give yourself at least 20 minutes to make your skin less sensitive to the creams.
2. Moisturize Frequently
After washing your face, use a moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out. Moisturizing your skin helps to prevent breakouts and keeps your skin in perfect health.
Use oil-free moisturizers that are non-comedogenic. This simply means that these moisturizers will not create comedones or whiteheads or blackheads that will block your pores.
Do not use heavy ointments or greasy products as this could clog your pores further and worsen your acne.
Again, confirm that the products you’re using are safe for your skin. The moisturizer should be applied last in case you are using any other acne ointment.
3. Use Mineral Make-up for Acne
Mineral makeup is different from and is better than traditional make-up, especially for people with acne.
Traditional makeup may prevent you from having healthy skin because of the thick layers required to hide imperfection, which blocks skin pores and prevents the skin from breathing. Also, traditional make-up may cause redness and dryness, which is not good, especially for acne-prone skin.
On the other hand, mineral makeup does not have the skin-clogging artificial ingredients present in traditional makeup. It is also completely inert and can't support the growth of bacteria. Therefore, in addition to making your complexion look better, it is acne-friendly and will promote healthy skin.
4. Use Heat or Ice Therapy for Acne
In case you are experiencing any pain or discomfort caused by acne, cold and heat can be used to address that. For example, you can reduce the inflammation of new pimples using a cold compress. Simply wrap an ice cube in a piece of cloth and place it on the inflamed area for around 10 minutes. Repeat this thrice and you will reduce the swelling and minimize the pain.
You can also treat new whiteheads using a warm compress. Soak a piece of cloth like a towel in warm, not hot; water, then place it on the affected area for up to 15 minutes. Repeat this process at least 4 times a day until all the pus comes out.
5. Work Closely with a Dermatologist
Sometimes, treating acne using home remedies or over the counter treatments may not have any positive effect and, in some cases, may make it even worse. Also, some forms of acne may be harder to treat and require stronger medications.
Not all cases require a dermatologist’s attention, but if your skin starts becoming even more infected or your acne begins to leave dark spots, find a dermatologist. They will help you to come up with the best skincare routine for your skin and condition.
A dermatologist will guide you on the best procedures and treatments for your acne. Where possible, find a certified dermatologist for the best results, although your doctor can also give you helpful advice.
Conclusion
Acne can be stubborn to treat and can eventually cause scarring. So, you need to put the best acne skincare routine in place to keep it at bay, prevent prolonging it, or even make it worse. With the right daily acne skincare routine and constant dermatologist advice, you can successfully manage it and possibly even clear it and minimize permanent scarring chances.
Related Resources
- Acne Scars vs. Acne Marks: How to Treat Acne Scarring
- Honey for Treating Acne: What you Need to Know
- Acne Causes: Everything you Need to Know
