Creating a Skincare Routine to Address Your Acne
If you’ve ever woken up to see a pimple glaring back at you in the mirror, you know acne isn’t just for teenagers. And if you periodically struggle with pimples, you’re not alone — up to 50 million people in America have acne breakouts each year. Thankfully, the right skincare products for acne can help you maintain a clear, healthy-looking complexion. Here’s everything you need to know about treating acne-prone skin and finding the best products for acne:
What Causes Acne-Prone Skin?
You may experience chronic breakouts, acne, or blemishes for many reasons, most of which are out of your control. Here are the most common causes of acne:
● Hormonal imbalances
● Overproduction of oil
● Changes to your skincare routine
● Build up of dead skin cells on the skin's surface
● Dirt, grime, and bacteria clogging your pores
● Pregnancy or menopause
● Genetics
● Stress, anxiety, mental disorders
Under normal conditions, the skin's sebaceous glands produce sebum or oil that moisturizes your complexion and its protective lipid barrier. However, there are times when the sebaceous glands go into overdrive, and the excess sebum–combined with bacteria, dead skin cells, dirt, or makeup–clogs the pores.
Pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads (otherwise known as non-inflammatory acne) appear on the surface of your skin. However, if your skin gets irritated or inflamed, your breakouts may be red, swollen, or painful, with nodules or cysts forming underneath the skin's surface. That's called inflammatory acne.
If you're prone to breakouts and have an oily skin type, you'll need a specialized skincare routine to help manage daily sebum production. Irrespective of skin type, anyone can get hormonal acne. Fluctuating estrogen, androgen, progesterone, and other hormone levels can trigger excess sebum production, typically during menstruation, puberty, menopause, and pregnancy. Stress, medication, or personal care products that clog pores can also influence the severity of hormonal acne breakouts.
While it's not always easy to pinpoint the exact causation, there are precautionary steps you can take to help alleviate the symptoms and soothe the irritation.
How To Know If You Have Acne-Prone skin
Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is more widespread than you think. Here are some of the warning signs that you have acne-prone skin.
Redness and inflammation
Acne and breakouts can cause an inflammatory response that leads to redness around or near acne, zits, or pimples. The area can also be sensitive or painful when touched.
Breakouts
Chronic breakouts are one of the most noticeable signs of acne-prone skin. New skincare products, hormonal imbalances, clogged pores, or excess oil can cause these breakouts.
Clogged Pores
Dirt, grime, and bacteria clogging your pores can lead to pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads. Clogged pores can also arise by accumulating dead skin cells caused by overactive cell turnover.
Oily Complexion
Excess sebum is a significant cause of oily skin. If you have oily skin, you may notice enlarged pores or oil accumulating in your t-zone. Too much sebum on your skin can clog your pores and lead to unwanted breakouts. The best way to combat the excess oil is to use a gentle cleanser and stay consistent with your skincare regimen.
Tips for Combating Acne
Cleanse Twice a Day
If you have acne-prone skin, your pores will likely become clogged, so using a gentle cleanser is essential to keep your skin clean and clear. Whether you wear a full face of makeup, sweat in the sun, or apply SPF, remove all residue at the end of the day with a reliable, gentle cleanser.
Use non-comedogenic products
To maintain the integrity of your skin, it's crucial to use non-comedogenic skincare products that do not clog pores. On the other hand, ingredients in comedogenic skincare can lead to pore blockage with frequent use. We recommend avoiding common comedogenic ingredients such as cocoa butter, beeswax, and lanolin. Additionally, if you're concerned about acne or irritation, minimizing your use of oil-based products is best.
Avoid irritants
Be mindful of daily-use skincare products to prevent breakouts and irritation, and avoid using products with synthetic ingredients, sulfates, or other irritants to keep your skin free of unwanted reactions.
Don't pick, poke, or pop
It's hard to resist the temptation to pick, poke, and pop at pimples, but doing so can adversely affect your skin. Picking at acne can cause skin irritation and spread bacteria to other pores, while overpicking can result in dark spots or scarring.
Avoid harsh exfoliants
Scrubbing too hard with a harsh physical or mechanical exfoliant can cause small micro-tears in the skin, leading to more irritation, redness, and inflammation. However, this doesn't mean you should avoid exfoliating — opt instead for a gentle exfoliant and use it sparingly.
What Ingredients to Avoid on Acne-Prone Skin
If you have acne-prone skin, you'll want to be mindful of your skincare products and pay attention to the ingredient label. Some harsh ingredients can lead to breakouts, blemishes, and ongoing redness. To maintain the integrity of your skin barrier and prevent future breakouts, you’ll want to take a second look at the ingredients in your favorite skincare items.
Here are three ingredients to avoid in your skincare products for acne:
Mineral Oil
Many moisturizers use mineral oil in their formulas for its hydrating properties. You should avoid this ingredient when looking for skincare products for acne because it's comedogenic. While it has some hydrating components, it's also known for clogging pores and sparking acne flare-ups.
Parabens
As a rule of thumb, try to avoid parabens completely, irrespective of whether you have acne-prone skin, dry skin, or normal skin. If you currently have parabens hiding away in your everyday favorites, it could be causing breakouts and blemishes and may be time to switch them out for paraben-free alternatives.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is commonly used in lotions and creams that are formulas for the body - not the face. For the rest of the skin on your body, cocoa butter is ultra-hydrating and perfect for keeping your skin soft and supple throughout the day. However, if used on your face - it can trigger acne outbreaks, irritation, and excess sebum production.
Ingredients to Look for With Acne-Prone Skin
Healthy skin starts with a great skincare regimen. If you're struggling with acne, it's time to revisit your routine and fill it with complexion balancing products and good-for-your-skin ingredients.
The best products for acne should include the following ingredients:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. When applied topically to your face, this acne-fighting ingredient can help reduce redness, swelling, and irritation. Vitamin C can also help brighten your skin tone and reduce the appearance of acne scars and other imperfections.
Retinol
Retinol is the holy grail of anti-aging, but did you know it's also a powerful anti-acne ingredient? This powerful skincare ingredient is a natural exfoliant that gently unclogs pores while stimulating collagen production. Some of the best moisturizers for acne use retinol to help increase cell turnover and eliminate any build-up of bacteria in your pores causing the breakouts.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a great skincare essential for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin. This ingredient helps regulate the sebum levels on the skin's surface, helping you maintain a clear, clean complexion and reduce your risk of acne breakouts. Niacinamide can be applied as a serum and is also commonly found in some of the best moisturizers for acne.
Choosing a Cleanser for Your Skin’s Needs
An effective skincare routine for acne starts with the right cleanser. You need a powerful and soothing product to remove impurities, excess oil, and makeup, prevent clogged pores and hydrate without drying out your skin.
The Double Cleansing Method is highly beneficial for acne-prone, oily skin. Double cleansing is an ideal strategy for keeping blemishes at bay because it provides the gentle, thorough cleansing required by acne-prone skin. You need two types of cleansers to double-cleanse your skin: oil-based and water-based. The first cleanser eliminates surface dirt, makeup, and SPF, while the second thoroughly cleanses pores and preserves the moisture barrier.
When using our double cleansing duo, start with The Cleansing Balm, our rich and hydrating formula that clears away impurities, decongests, and purifies your complexion. Next is The Cream Cleansing Gel, our lightweight cleanser and one of the best face washes for acne-prone skin. This gel uses advanced skincare technology to reduce redness, improve the look of pores, and support a healthy moisture barrier. After double cleansing, your skin will feel renewed, refreshed, and hydrated.
If you need a gentle cleanser you can use daily, The Foaming Cleanser is a great alternative. Our lightweight cream-to-foam formula lifts grime, impurities, and long-wear makeup while purifying your skin for a healthy, clear complexion.
Improving the Look of Blemishes, Uneven Texture, and Congestion
Once you've finished cleansing, apply products that balance and visibly improve your skin's tone and texture. Skincare for hormonal acne should soothe stressed skin and promote oil control to minimize flare-ups and restore radiance to your complexion.
- The Essence isn't a typical toner that acts as a skin astringent. Instead, it manages sebum secretion and diminishes the appearance of large pores while hydrating and helping the complexion lock in moisture. It's also a gentle exfoliant that helps keep pores from clogging.
- The Serum revitalizes the overall appearance of your complexion to provide brighter, firmer, and more youthful skin.
- Turn to The Light Cream when you need skincare for hormonal acne. It gives your complexion a reset with a long-lasting mattifying texture for shine control. The lightweight texture glides on your skin and is wearable in the most humid climates.
That routine will help your complexion feel refreshed during the day. For a nighttime routine that promotes radiant, dewy skin, you can switch out The Light Cream for the following products:
- The Rich Cream's deep hydration guards against transepidermal water loss (TEWL) to keep your skin plump, supple, and soft. This is the best moisturizer for acne and is filled with potent ingredients that can reduce the appearance of dark spots, which may be helpful if you experience hyperpigmentation after your pimple heals.
- The Face Oil provides the moisture your skin needs. Hydrators are vital skincare products for acne as they support a strong skin barrier and protect against environmental aggressors that exacerbate acne. Dry skin triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, so we also recommend a daily moisturizer. The Face Oil is lightweight, so you only need a few drops to moisturize your skin.
Build Your Routine With Augustinus Bader
Living with acne-prone skin can be challenging. The best way to combat breakouts and maintain your skin's natural beauty is to build a routine with game-changing formulas.
Augustinus Bader products feature TFC8® technology, a groundbreaking skincare innovation that blends nutrients and natural ingredients to give your skin a vibrant and youthful appearance. Our products are clinically proven non-comedogenic and free from irritants that can worsen breakouts, making them the perfect choice for acne-prone skin. You can trust our superior skincare products to take care of acne-prone skin.
Start exploring our collection of skincare products for acne-prone skin today to get started.