Experiencing persistent acne despite your best efforts can be frustrating and may stem from a combination of factors involving your skin type, lifestyle, genetics, and skincare routine. The effects of ongoing acne can be both physical and emotional. Physically, acne can lead to a variety of lesions, including whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, and cysts. These lesions can cause redness, inflammation, pain and even scarring. On the emotional front, acne can take a toll on self-esteem and confidence, leading to anxiety and social withdrawal.
Acne scars are sometimes stubborn and they require patience. Sometimes they are even permanent, so preventing them in the first place is essential for maintaining smooth and blemish-free skin. Read the blog to know what tips to follow to stop worsening your existing acne-prone skin that’s vulnerable to acne scarring.
6 Key skincare changes to do for clearer and glowing skin
By being mindful of your skincare routine, lifestyle choices, and daily habits, you can contribute to clearer, healthier skin and improve your overall well-being. Here are the top 6 skincare adjustments you can make to help manage and improve acne-prone skin:
- Steer clear from aggressive cleansing
Cleansing your face too frequently or using harsh cleansers can strip away natural oils and disrupt the skin's barrier, leading to increased oil production and irritation. This can result in dryness, redness, and the skin producing more oil to compensate, potentially exacerbating acne.
Use - gentle, soap & sulphate-free, non-comedogenic cleanser twice a day.
Ensure the cleanser is pH-balanced, and enriched with ingredients like citric acid, Zinc PCA, and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. These are highly suitable for acne-prone skin as they help regulate sebum production and maintain the hydration levels of the skin.
Note: Avoid scrubbing vigorously and opt for patting your face dry instead of rubbing.
- Use non-comedogenic products
Using skincare or makeup products that are comedogenic (tend to clog pores) can lead to more breakouts. Comedogenic products can contribute to pore blockages, leading to the development of new acne lesions.
Choose products labeled as non-comedogenic or oil-free. And one step advance, you can even opt for mattifying products as they can help save you from that oily and shiny look.
We understand that with acne-prone skin comes a lot of scars and dullness and there is always a fear of worsening your existing acne when you do a 4-5 step skincare + makeup routine to go to the office.
So in case you are looking for a non-comedogenic daily no-make look kind of all-in-one product that protects, hydrates, and calms your skin, then these are your hygiene checks -
- SPF 50, PA ++++
- Calming ingredient - Calmnerv CR
- Sun Shield Filtrers - Zinc and titanium dioxide
- Hydrating ingredient - Glycerin
- Non-greasy & non-irritant
- Non-comedogenic
- Naturally dewy look
- Do not skip moisturising
Oiliness and hydration are two different things. We often get mistaken by the shiny appearance of our face with hydration.
Most people with acne-prone skin avoid using moisturisers fearing they will worsen acne. However, skipping moisturiser can lead to dryness and compromise the skin barrier. Dry skin triggers increased oil production, potentially leading to more breakouts.
Opt for a lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser enriched with ingredients like Cydoniaa oblonga leaf extract and madecassoside as they help maintain proper skin hydration and pacify irritated/damaged skin. They function by strengthening the skin barrier and retaining healthy oils present in the skin matrix.
- Limit the use of multiple topical treatments
Applying too much acne medication or using multiple active ingredients simultaneously can cause excessive dryness, irritation, and peeling. Overdoing the treatment can lead to inflamed, irritated skin, and can sometimes even worsen acne.
The use of topical treatment with ingredients like Salicylic acid, Boswellia serrata resin Extract, and Scutellaria baicalensis Root Extract is found quite effective in clearing acne, blemishes, dark spots, and so on. However, begin with a lower concentration and gradually increase as your skin tolerates it.
If at all you wish to incorporate two actives at a time then use one in am and the other in pm. However, it is highly suggested that consult a dermatologist for a personalized treatment plan.
- Avoid picking and squeezing acne lesions
Picking, squeezing, or popping acne lesions can introduce bacteria deeper into the skin, cause inflammation, and lead to scarring. This can result in prolonged healing, increased redness, and potentially permanent scars.
Hands off! Allow acne lesions to heal naturally.
- Application of sunscreen
- Sunscreens make your skin darker post-application.
- Sunscreens make you sweat post-application.
- Sunscreens are causing itching and irritation on your acne or under-eye area.
- Sunscreens are making your skin even greasy and oily.
If this is what you feel, then it's time for you to update your sunscreen and not skip using it in the first place. For your oily and acne-prone skin, this is what you need.
-
Oxybenzone and OMC-free sunscreen
Because it would save you from itching, irritation, and further breakouts. -
SPF 50, PA+++
For broad-spectrum sun protection - Non-comedogenic
- Ingredients - Eurol Bt, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), and Aloe vera Extract
These are hydrating and skin-calming ingredients that will help keep your skin away from redness, inflammation, or irritation.
Takeaway
If you have skin that is prone to acne, you're more susceptible to experiencing whiteheads, blackheads, acne breakouts, and the resulting scars. Establishing an effective anti-acne skincare routine is among the most effective approaches to maintaining clear and healthy skin in the long term. Most importantly, by practicing diligent skincare habits, the urgency for immediate acne treatments can be minimised.
Remember - Acne and acne scars need time for healing and consistency is the key.
