You may be wondering: “How often should I exfoliate my acne-prone skin?” Experts typically recommend exfoliating 2-3 times per week if your skin is prone to acne. Depending on the severity of your acne, you may need to reduce that to 1-2 times per week.
Whether your acne is mild or more severe, regular exfoliation will smooth and soften the skin and brighten your complexion. It also helps reduce breakouts by keeping the pores from becoming clogged with the pus of dead cells and sebum (skin oil).
Exfoliation is effective by helping to get rid of dead skin cells and impurities that perpetuate the appearance of acne. However, it can aggravate chronic or cystic acne if not done gently and correctly. It's important to identify the causes of acne and exfoliate based on the current condition of your skin.
Over-exfoliated skin can become so vulnerable and damaged that it can be easily inflamed. This inflammation can then escalate into an acne breakout. Using too much exfoliant also removes too much of the surface layer of the skin, taking away with it all the trapped moisture.
If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions. Do this for about 30 seconds, and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. If you use a brush or sponge, use short light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds or if your skin is sunburned.
Exfoliating can help fade acne scars and give them a smoother appearance.
Why should you moisturize active acne? You should absolutely moisturize your skin even if you have active acne. It's an absolute myth that moisturizing your face will worsen your acne. In fact, moisturizers are necessary to keep acne-prone skin as relaxed as possible.
If you are using multiple products on your face as part of a “12-step skincare routine,” you may be combining too many different products. Using too many products can definitely cause your skin to breakout. Not to mention that many skin care ingredients can lead to irritation and thus more breakouts.
I'm a huge fan of exfoliants like scrubs and peels because they can buff away the dead skin cells that clog pores, and over time, they also help to fade old acne scars. According to experts, exfoliators with ingredients like salicylic acid can be powerful tools in helping get stubborn acne under control.
Cetaphil products are suitable for cleansing and moisturising acne-prone skin - they will help to remove dirt and oil, hydrate your skin and be respectful to and gentle on the natural skin barrier. All of the Cetaphil moisturisers are non-comedogenic, so they won't block your pores.
Dermatologists recommend CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for people with acne as it works to cleanse the skin and remove oil, without disrupting the skin's protective barrier. It won't clog pores or dry the skin out, and contains niacinamide and ceramides to help calm and moisturize irritated skin.
Although Vaseline® Healing Jelly doesn't directly treat acne, its protective formula means it could help your skin recover faster from a breakout.
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Once or twice a week is great, but everyday exfoliation is even better. Clinique Derm Pro Dr. Michelle Henry gives us her top five reasons to exfoliate daily. Once or twice a week is great, but everyday exfoliation is even better.
Typically, exfoliating does not cause acne. In fact, in most cases, exfoliating can help minimize acne when performed properly as part of an acne treatment program. Beware though, if exfoliating is done improperly or too often, it can bring on problems. If you use a scrub, use as directed and be gentle.
For blackheads, though, regular exfoliation can help remove excessive amounts of dead skin cells that can lead to clogged pores. The process may also gently remove existing blackheads.
Cheek acne may be due to one or more of the following: makeup, your phone spreading bacteria, dirty pillowcases, touching your face, or hormonal changes. The good news is there are several steps you can take to prevent it or reduce the severity of your cheek acne. See a doctor to get your acne treated.
Most often, acne will go away on its own at the end of puberty, but some people still struggle with acne in adulthood. Almost all acne can be successfully treated, however. It's a matter of finding the right treatment for you.