Essential tips on how to take care of acne-prone skin

Problematic, acne-prone skin can give you a hard time, whether you are a woman or a man. You can have a few small pimples on your face, but also large centres of papules with underlying inflammation, for many different reasons. It is said that the skin is a reflection of our inner health, which is why it is important to focus mainly on inner factors when treating acne. Think about your diet, water intake, and overall lifestyle, and factor in the level of stress your body is facing. Last but not least, acne can be caused by general hormonal (im)balance. Consider these causes of acne and then support the inner treatment with the right cosmetic care. What should it look like? We will have a look at it together now. We will explore the ways in which you can treat your acne-prone skin and how to prevent breakouts from a cosmetic point of view.

What is my skin type and what is important for healthy skin?

The very basis of all skin care is knowing your skin type. Acne can appear on oily as well as dry skin. The main difference between oily and dry skin is in the amount of sebum the skin produces. Knowing our skin type, we can choose cosmetic products that should suit our type. First, however, it is important to review the cornerstones of a proper skin care routine.

The skin is an amazingly functioning complex organ which can be disturbed and upset by a wrong choice of cosmetics. Our skin naturally maintains a certain protective barrier that should not be disturbed. There is the acid mantle - a hydrolipidic film formed on the surface of the skin that is necessary for a healthy dermal microbiome. The health of this skin defence mechanism is crucial to the overall balance of the skin.

What not to do to your skin

• Do not use aggressive cleansers (eg. SLS-based) or scrubs. Neither dry nor oily skin would appreciate it. Approach all cleansing with care.
• You’d better avoid products that contain a high percentage of alcohol. Oily skin can handle smaller amounts, but I would skip them altogether for dry skin.
• Do not unnecessarily wash your face with water in order to “clean it properly”. Twice a day as a part of your morning and evening routine is enough. Tap water may have a dehydrating effect on the skin, which can then appear drier, lifeless, and dull. If your skin feels tight, very dry, or dehydrated after your morning wash-up, skip it and just clean your face with a cotton pad and some toner. This way of “light morning cleansing” can be perfect for dry skin, but also for oily skin. I have tried it myself.
• Never skip make-up removal and cleansing! If you use make-up, remove it first with some make-up remover (gel, emulsion, foam, for example with glucosides). After removing make-up, you can simply finish your cleansing ritual with a toner or face lotion if your skin is dry and does not tolerate foaming products. Always make sure the toner or face lotion does not contain alcohol.
• If some pimples appear, try not to provoke and pick or pop them. This may cause scars that can stay forever.

Your skin will thank you for proper hydration

All acne-prone skin needs to be hydrated. Hydration is absolutely essential, no matter what skin problem you have. You should therefore definitely include some moisturising product in your skincare routine. If the skin is sufficiently hydrated, it looks very healthy and plump. Remember that dehydration can occur in both dry and oily skin. Dehydration in oily skin leads to its increased attempts at protecting itself by producing more sebum to lock in the little remaining moisture. This is why it is important to moisturise and hydrate! Look for such ingredients as glycerine, hyaluronic acid and its potassium salt, Centella asiatica, aloe vera, and others, on the ingredient list.

Opt for non-comedogenic skincare products

When nourishing the skin, we should choose products that do not clog the pores (are non-comedogenic). Which ingredients might clog them? Pure coconut oil and wheat germ oil are not recommended for acne-prone skin for precisely this reason. Comedogenic ingredients may not be problematic when they are only one of the ingredients of a complex product. You should also watch out for mainstream drugstore products that are often full of petrochemicals and silicones which may not be great for acne-prone skin. Go for natural skincare products instead.

What ingredients should you look for in cosmetics for acne-prone skin?

In my opinion, the following are the best for pimples:

• CBD extract and other hemp-derived ingredients. CBD extract can regulate sebum production, has anti-inflammatory, healing, and restorative effects not only on skin suffering from acne, but from various types of eczema as well. Another hemp-derived ingredient is hemp oil, totally unique in its perfect ratio of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. It can reduce sebum, support the skin barrier and overall hydration of the skin. It is non-comedogenic and therefore very suitable for skin prone to clogging.
• Salicylic acid (or white willow extract). Salicylic acid is one of fat soluble BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids). It has antibacterial and antiinflammatory effects that are especially helpful for individuals suffering from large clogged pores, blackheads, pimples, and excessive sebum production. Salicin (willow bark extract) is a gentler form of salicylic acid.
• Niacinamide (vitamin B3) reduces and cleanses enlarged pores, may regulate excessive sebum production, regular use leads to a more mattified, even-looking skin. It promotes restorative processes in the skin and soothes irritated skin. It also has anti-ageing properties and inhibits the synthesis of melanin, the skin pigment. This means that it affects pigment spots, marks caused by acne, and supports natural radiance of the skin.
• Vitamin C occurs in the skin naturally. It assists the antioxidative processes in the skin. As a very strong antioxidant, it can reduce oxidative stress in the skin. In general, vitamin C and its derivatives have antiinflammatory and anti-ageing properties. It helps to cure acne, brightens the complexion and evens out the tone.
• Neem is used for many skin conditions. It assists in curing acne, healing existing wounds and reduces scarring after pimples. It has strong antibacterial properties and reduces itching that may occur as the result of overpopulation of bacteria on the skin.
• Zinc has antiinflammatory properties, minimises enlarged pores and soothes inflamed areas.

For extra care, cleansing clay masks are very effective. All types of clay have beneficial effects on the skin, as they cleanse deeply and shrink pores. They are rich in minerals that benefit the skin. There is green, white, pink, Moroccan, and other kinds of clay. All clay masks must remain damp at all times while on the skin (we can dampen them with floral water), in order not to dry, dehydrate, or irritate the skin while drying. You can try a clay mask by Codex Beauty Labs, for example, which was formulated specially for the needs of oily and acne-prone skin. In addition to reducing sebum production, it brightens the skin and evens its tone.

The first thing I always recommend to everyone is to know your skin, figure out what it likes. If your skin is problematic in any way, love it unconditionally - don’t be too hard on it. Give love to your skin and it will pay you back sooner or later.

Author: Veronika Slechanová