I know caring for acne prone skin can be challenging. This is a dilemna that I have dealt with for a long time. With an extremely sensitive, acne prone, combination skin - I have to admit I didn't have a smooth ride with my skin. However, with time and research, I was able to establish and understand some of the root causes associated with acne and also a skincare routine, that I promise will work - you just have to trust the process and stick with it.
Let's first understand what is acne and why does it happen? As you could see on your skin has tiny holes called pores. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when these pores become blocked by oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt.
Although acne doesn’t pose a health risk as such but it can without any doubt contribute to emotional distress. Acne could cause scarring that can affect self-esteem and self-confidence, or even lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
Acne mainly occurs when either your follicles produce too much oil or dead skin cells accumulate in your pores or bacteria builds up in your pores.
Other risk factors that can cause acne are:
- any hormonal changes like during pregnancy or puberty (hence teenage acne!)
- certain conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- cigarette smoking
- poor sleep (hormones!)
- stress (hormones!!)
- a family history of acne
- using skin products that clogs pores
One key thing to note is that blemishes and acne flare-ups can be a strong sign of a damaged skin barrier, as the bacteria that causes acne is more easily able to penetrate the skin
How to help your acne prone skin:
- Gut health - it contributes to a lot of skin and hair condition. It is important to take care of gut to ensure that what you consume is balanced. Read more about this in my free ebook.
- Don't touch your face - it can spread dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your face, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts
- Ensure anything that you put on your face is non-comedogenic i.e. non pore clogging. Be it make up, cleansers, moisturisers etc - everything!
- Don't pick your pimples - 'guilty as charged!' If you do this you are more likely going to push some of what’s inside (e.g., pus, dead skin cells, or bacteria) deeper into your skin. This would increase inflammation making your acne more noticeable and could also cause soreness and scars.
- Don't share make up applicators. towels etc - this doesn't spread the acne as it is not contagious. But, as your skin is more prone to clogging than others, dead skin cells from others could cause your skin to clog and break out.
- Skincare routine - establish a good skincare routine and stick with it. Changing skincare routines could irritate skin more causing it to breakout. When you start a new routine, stick with it for at least 6 to 8 weeks to see its efficacy. When you have an acne prone skin, it is common for skin to purge (cause more breakouts than usual) but it should start settling in 6 weeks or so. This is a necessary evil which helps your skin to decongest.
Let's talk skincare routine for acne prone skin:
Remember that 'Oil dissolves oil' and so using NON-COMEDOGENIC oil products is the best thing to remove all traces of grime and sebum without stripping or irritating your skin.
The below steps twice a day - in the morning and in the evening before your go to bed:
Daily: Double Cleanse - Double Moisturise
Double cleanse:
For this you need to first cleanse your face using the Skin Balancing facial oil. Take a generous drops of facial oil in your palm and massage it on your face for 1-2 minutes. Take a warm water soaked face towel and keep it on your face till it cools down. Then gently wipe your face with the cooled down face towel. This technique is called oil cleansing.
Now take a Foaming Cleanser Wash which is non-comedogenic and wash your face with it.
This process of first cleansing with oil and then with a water based cleanser is called double cleansing.
Double Moisturise:
For this I recommend to first moisturise your face with a non-comedogenic cream/butter based moisturiser followed by moisturising with the Skin Balancing facial oil. This prevents your skin to lose moisture to keep it hydrated and glowing.
My facial oils are multipurpose and can be used for cleansing and moisturising both.
Also, in the day time - protect your skin with a non-comedogenic sunscreen of your choice.
Bi-weekly: Exfoliation
For an acne-prone skin it is highly recommended to exfoliate your skin twice a week or alternate day.
To exfoliate - Take a teaspoon of Coffee and Clay scrub and apply it directly on your damp skin. Massage in a circular motion for about 3 minutes. As a top tip, leave it on your skin as a mask for another 10 mins to let it absorb the oils and have the ingredients do their magic. This scrub can be used on your face and body both.
Acne Scars:
To help deal with acne scars, use Scar Oil. Apply it directly on a cleansed skin at least twice a day and massage in till absorbed. This can then be followed by double moisturising.
Want to be more amazed with the products?
- Use the same face oil for removing your make up. Do oil cleansing (explained above) twice and see your make up melting away. This would eliminate the need of using make up remover that are much harsher to the skin.
- Use face oils for a weekend pamper by giving yourself a facial massage.
- Put the oil behind your ears and give a gentle massage to relax yourself. Best done before sleeping.
And.....these products are 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free - suitable for all age groups!
Let me know if this article helped you!
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