ACNE-PRONE SKIN

NON INFLAMMATORY

Refers to clogged pores that appear as blackheads or whiteheads.
It’s the mildest type and it’s easy to spot. Blackheads have a dark appearance and can appear somewhat flat aganist the skin. Whiteheads are small skin-colores bumps.

INFLAMMATORY

Anything with a red or mre robust appearance is essentially classified as inflammatory acne.
This can range from papules and pustules to mor esevere nodules and cyst.
Papules are small red bumps, while pustles are small bumps that contain pus. Papules often turn into pustules. Then there’s the deeper, more painful acne.

These inflamed bumps are typically larger than your usual pimple and feel as they’re underneath the skin.          

CAUSES OF ACNE PRONE-SKIN

Acne is caused by a combination of hormones, oil, and bacteria. When oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria clog the follicles, sebum can’t escape the pores. This leads to acne.

Each pore of your skin is also the opening to a hair follicle, which is made of a hair and sebaceous, or oil, gland.

The oil gland releases sebum, which keeps your skin lubricated and soft.

Causes of acne can include:

• Your follicles producing too much oil.
• Dead skin cells accumulating in your pores.
• Bacteria building up in your pores.

Overproduction of oil is usually because of hormonal changes, like:

• Puberty.
• The menstural cycle.
• Pregnancy.
• Menopause.

ACNE AND SKIN TYPE

It’s common to link oily skin to acne. After all, excess oil is a known contributor to breakouts.

But dry skin types can still experience acne for a number of reasons, whether it’s due to environmental factor or a poor skin care routine that irritates the skin and clog pores. 

Knowing which skin type you have can help you care for your acne in the best way possible.

WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT BREAKOUTS

Treating acne doesn’t just involve trying product after product. It encompasses careful cleansing and some simple lifestyle changes.

Effective prevention includes:

• Washing your face twice a day and after sweating.
• Being gentle with your skin by avoiding harsh scrubs.
• Don’t pick or pop!
• If you have to, using safe extraction methods with a qualified dermatologist.
• Routinely washing things that come in contact with your skin.
• Using noncomedogenic products.
• Checking your hair care ingredientes.
• Staying hydrated.

WASH TWICE A DAY AND AFTER SWEATING

Washing your face when you wake up and before you go to bed is recommended.

Doing it more than twice a day, unless you’re particularly sweaty, can irritate the skin.

BE GENTLE, DON’T SCRUB OR USE HARSH EXFOLIANTS

Acne is not a dirt problem, so scrubbing harder and using hard exfoliants don’t help and can oly lead to more redness, irriation and therefore, more acne.

NO PICKING OR POPPING!

It’s super tempting to pop that pimple. But doing so can lead to scarring.

It can also transfer bacteria into other pores and make what was a small imple turn into deep, inflamed acne.

ROUTINELY WASH ANYTHING THAT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH YOUR SKIN

Bedding, makeup brushes, and even phone screens can all harbor debris that can clog your pores.

To avoid clogging your pores, changing sheets weekly and pillowcases two or three times a week would be helpful for your skin.

Phone can we wiped with a special cleanser once or twice a day.

OPT FOR NONCOMEDOGENIC PRODUCTS

Noncomedogenic is a label you’ve probably seen quite a lot on skin care products.

Sometimes it goes by the name of oil-free, non-acnegenic, or simply “won’t clog pores”. Every product used on acne-prone areas should have the labels “oil-free, noncomedogenic”.

You’d think any products labeled with this would only help acne-prone skin, right? Unfortunately not.

It’s best to check the full ingredient list before using. Avoid anything that contains potential irritants, like alcohol or fragrrance.

REVIEW YOUR HAIR CARE ROUTINE

Hair care formulas from shampoos and conditioners to generic stylling products can cause breakouts in areas like the forehead and necl.

Try to avoid any products containing oils. If you suspect your hair routine is your acne culprit, switch it up to see If there’s any improvement.

Oil in the hair itself can also transfer onto the skin. Try to keep your hair off your face as much as possible, especially at night-time.

STAY HYDRATED

Keeping skin hydrated may help combat the excess oil that leads to acne. However, there’s limited research to back this up.

Still, there’s no harm in sticking to the 8×8 rule (drinking 8-ounce glasses a day)

WHAT DOES AN ANTI-ACNE SKIN CARE ROUTINE LOOK LIKE?

A skincare routine that’s not right for your skin type or concerns can end up causing more problems.

Here’s every step you should consider taking when dealing with acne-prone skin.

You can find many of these products at your local drugstore. Some are more specialized and found at other retailers, so they may be more expensive. Use these recommendations as general guidelines of what to look for.

INGREDIENTES TO LOOK FOR

• Salicylic acid: works to unclog pores and reduce inflammation. It’s ideal for blackheads and whiteheads but can also help pustules disappear quicker.
• Benzoyl Peroxide: kills acne-causing bacteria and therefore works best on inflammatory acne. 
• Retinoids: exfoliate skin’s surface, removing the dead skin cells that clog pores, among other things. The also help reduce inflammation and are commonly used in many acne regimes.

MORNING

1. Cleanser: Cleansing skin in the morning can be a good component of an acne regimen. Oily skin types can try the following products:
2. Toner: Use a toner to get rid of excess oil that may contribute to breakouts. The following are designed for acne-prone skin.
3. Moisturizer: Wether your complexion is dry or oily, a moisturizer will keep skin hydrated. The following products won’t clog pores:
4. Sunscreen: Some acne treatments can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Protect it with a broad spectrum, SPF 30 sunscreen. Two popular options for acne-prone skin are:

EVENING

1. Exfoliant: While exfoliating isn’t for everyone, exfoliating once or twice a week can help remove dead skin cells that can block pores and lead to breakouts. If you haven’t got much time, use the following ones:
2. Face Mask:: A well-formulated face mask, like the following ones can help combat oiliness and impurities, hydrate dty skin, and reduce redness. Use up to three times a week for optimal results.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Patience is key here. Use an acne treatment for at least 1 month before considering trying a new one. Excpect to wait up to 3 months before seeing a big difference.

Not seeing any improvement? Consider switching to a new products or visiting a dermatologist for personalized advice.
Whichever route you decide to take, follow the instructions exactly for the best possible outcome.