Most people think of high school, braces, and raging hormones when we say acne. Actually, acne is a much more complex problem than just a teenage skin issue. More and more people keep suffering from acne after they have reached adulthood. They wonder if skincare helps with acne. Do all the skincare products suitable for acne-prone skin? Can skincare trigger breakouts?
Here is everything you need to know!
What is acne?
Before knowing if skincare helps with acne, let’s figure out what acne is.
Acne is a skin condition caused by clogged pores. The pores are the little holes in our skin. Our hair grows through them, and an oily substance called sebum is discharged through them too. Sebum keeps the skin moisturized and healthy.
The pores can get clogged by dead skin, and the sebum cannot discharge properly, which causes a perfect environment for bacteria development. Those clogged pores full of sebum are named whiteheads. Often, the sebum oxides and turns into a blackhead. A pimple appears if a bacteria develops in the pore. This is acne.
What role does skincare play in the pore-clogging process?
Skincare helps with acne: what you need to know!
Is skincare helpful to get rid of acne? The answer is yes… and no.
Properly used skincare is very beneficial to get rid of acne, while trying to dry out the skin often triggers more breakouts.
With acne, it is very important to wash your face daily to get rid of the bacteria that cause the breakout. Using a face cleanser with ingredients such as tea tree or salicylic acid is great to prevent breakouts.
However, some people with acne took this golden rule to another level and are constantly washing their face with the harshest face cleanser they can find. This is terrible because irritation triggers breakouts.
Washing your face at night is the best, you can also do it in the morning depending on how your skin is reacting. Washing your face more than twice a day (unless you are just out from a sweaty sports session) does more harm than good. Keep in mind after washing and applying moisturizer to your face, your skin is supposed to feel fresh and comfortable. Not tight. If your skin feels tight, it means you are dehydrating it and you must rethink your skincare routine.
Acne is not due to too much hydration in your skin. There is no such thing. A moisturized skin is healthy and happy skin!
Some people think they will get rid of acne by drying out their skin as much as possible. Actually, no. This is the wrongest thing to do with acne-prone skin, and, actually with any skin type. The same goes with scrubbing too often. Gently exfoliating your skin once a week can be beneficial it is getting rid of dead skin. Maniacally scrubbing your face every other day with the hardest chemical peeling you can is just irritating your skin and leading to more breakouts.
Never skip the moisturizing step in your anti-acne skincare routine. The best moisturized for acne-prone skin is oil-free and contains ingredients such as salicylic acid, tea tree, or witch hazel. Once again, after your skincare routine, your skin must be comfortable. If it feels tight, it means your routine is too harsh.
What skincare to avoid with acne-prone skin?
Skincare helps with acne, however, acne-prone skin should avoid all skincare products containing oil as they are known to clog the pores, but there are many other ingredients that can trigger breakouts. To learn more, check out our article about skincare products causing acne. As with all skin types, it is better to avoid harsh chemicals and drying products such as rub alcohol.