Let’s face it, acne is the worst. It can be embarrassing, painful, and long-lasting. It can cause physical and emotional discomfort, as well as low self-esteem due to its appearance and the stigma it carries.
Acne can also be hard to treat and can often lead to scarring of the affected area. It can affect your body image, your confidence and when it’s really bad, you may not even want to go out in public. Blemishes can really affect your social life and keep you from doing the things you want to do. But what can you do?
Acne Skin Care Regimen
Acne is a very treatable skin condition for most people. We’ve got a basic skin care routine that will help clear most acne-prone skin.
Cleanse: Use a gentle, non-irritating cleanser twice daily to remove dirt, oil, and sweat from your face. Avoid cleansers with harsh ingredients like alcohol and sulfates, which can strip the skin of its natural oils and exacerbate breakouts. A good, gentle cleanser we like is Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash. It not only cleans gently but also includes exfoliating agents.
Exfoliate: Gently exfoliate your face 2-3 times per week by gently scrubbing the skin. You can also occasionally use a mild exfoliant like Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant. This product helps to remove dead skin cells that clog pores, causing breakouts.
Tone: Apply a toner or astringent to remove any remaining traces of dirt or oil after cleansing. Toners also help to maintain your skin’s pH balance and protect against the overgrowth of bacteria which can lead to breakouts.
Treat: Apply an over-the-counter acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid depending on what kind of acne you have (whiteheads vs blackheads for instance). Follow the directions carefully and don't use too much, as these products are drying to the skin, and your skin may become flaky or it may try to overcompensate by producing even more oil.
Moisturize: Just because your face tends to be oily doesn’t mean you should skip this step. Use an oil-free moisturizer that is specifically formulated for acne-prone skin and won't clog your pores or worsen blemishes. We like Dermalogica Phyto Nature Oxygen Cream because it is non-oily and calming for sensitive skin.
Protect: Apply sunscreen every day before leaving the house, even on cloudy days — protection is key for preventing future breakouts! Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
If you follow these directions and find that you are still experiencing frequent breakouts, it may be time to consult with a dermatologist to see if they can prescribe something stronger for you.
Be sure to check out the full line of skin care products available on our website. We guarantee that all beauty lines offered are 100% authentic, never from a third-party, and are items that our beauty team uses on our own hair and skin. Plus, Pandora Beauty offers some of the best prices available on all your favorite salon-quality products at our online discount beauty supply store.
