According to Dr. Jaliman, the first thing you should do is carefully examine all the products you use on your skin, including any makeup, and hair. The largest error I find patients making with their acne regimen is using too many products and failing to read the ingredient labels, according to the expert. Check the labels of the products you use for the terms non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, or oil-free, which denote the absence of oily, acne-causing substances. Combination Acne Prone Skin Routine
Combination Acne Prone Skin Routine That Actually Works
Step 1: Gently wash your face!
According to Elyse M. Love, M.D., of Spring Street Dermatology in New York, you might be tempted to scrub at your face like you’re trying to scrape mud off your beloved pair of shoes, but doing so can really make things worse.
Patients frequently try to over-cleanse and over-exfoliate their skin because they think acne is caused by excess oil or dirt on the skin, according to the expert. Although regular cleaning is crucial, as acne is an inflammatory illness, over-cleansing can actually irritate the skin and hasten the development of the condition.
Dr. Sobel continues, “It’s important not to overstrip the skin, as this compromises the skin’s protective barrier, which can lead to further breakouts, irritation, redness, and uneven skin texture and tone.”
All three dermatologists I spoke with advised cleansing your face in the morning with a mild foaming cleanser.
The choice is yours, though: Stick with a gentle, non-medicated cleanser in the morning, like Neutrogena Ultra Daily Face Wash for Sensitive Skin, if you prefer to dab on a spot treatment separately or if your doctor has recommended an RX acne medication.
Choose a foam cleanser with an acne-fighting component, nevertheless, if you wish to combine the first two stages.
If you have whiteheads or blackheads, try Medik8 Clarifying Foam, which also contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory tea tree oil, to find a cleanser containing salicylic acid to slough off the damaged top layer of skin and remove worn out skin cells before they can get stuck in your pores.
If you have red, inflamed acne, look for a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide, which kills bacteria on the skin’s surface (try PanOxyl Foaming Wash, which has 10% benzoyl peroxide, or try CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser, which contains benzoyl peroxide, niacinamides, and ceramides, which Dr. Jaliman recommends for combination skin).
Get rid of any rough washcloths, scratchy sponges, or other irritating materials since how you clean your skin matters just as much as the substance you use.
Dr. Jaliman advises applying the cleanser with a cotton pad or baby washcloth, but it’s important to use a fresh washcloth every day to avoid simply wiping old dirt back onto your face.
According to Dr. Love, you can even use your hands and splash on enough water to remove the cleanser.
However, she advises you to only use lukewarm water because hot water can irritate the skin.
Dr. Sobel says that a splash of cool water helps balance the skin thereafter and tighten and rejuvenate it.
Use a medicine to treat acne
This is your chance to spot treat with the stronger substance if you opted to use a basic cleanser in step
Try an over-the-counter treatment, such as CeraVe Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Gel or La Roche Posay Dual Action Acne Treatment, after washing your skin; pat it dry rather than rubbing.
According to the specialists, it can take an over-the-counter remedy at least six weeks to start working.
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After that time, if you are still not experiencing any effects, you should see a dermatologist who can prescribe a stronger drug,
like Dapsone gel. Dr. Love offers the following sage advice:
She advises scheduling a dermatologist visit as soon as you begin using over-the-counter drugstore topicals if there is a three-month wait for an appointment. If you decide you don’t need it, you can always cancel.
Use a lightweight moisturizer.
Moisturizer may seem unneeded if you’re concerned about greasy skin and clogged pores, but the opposite is actually true:
Dr. Love explains that moisturizers “help maintain the skin’s oil production in balance.”
It also makes it easier for acne patients to tolerate their drying acne drugs.
The secret is to stick with non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizers.
La Roche Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer is a favorite of Dr. Love. Hyaluronic acid, which safeguards collagen, should be added to an aloe-based, noncomedogenic moisturizer, according to Dr. Jaliman.
Fresh Rituals Aloe Vera Moisturizer is one that is appropriate. Other noncomedogenic alternatives include the salicylic acid-packed Cetaphil Gentle Clear and Aveeno Clear Complexion.
Check out our list of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin for more tried-and-true suggestions from the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab.
Remember to use sunscreen.
With acne-prone skin, you should choose a sunscreen that won’t clog pores or exacerbate breakouts, advises Dr. Jaliman.
She particularly likes EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF because it contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide, which lessens redness. La Roche Anthelios SPF 60 Dry Touch Clear Skin Sunscreen is another sunscreen that the professionals in the GH Beauty Lab advise using because of its lightweight texture.
Cleanse once more at night.
Dr. Sobel advises using a gel-based, surfactant-free cleanser at night to gently remove the makeup, oil, and debris that have accumulated on your face throughout the day. The GH staff particularly likes Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel because it contains salicylic acid.
Dr. Jaliman advises those who want to use a toner as a finishing touch to make sure it is oil-free,
like those on our list of the top toners for acne-prone skin. Dr. Love advises performing a double cleanse by using micellar water first, followed by your cleanser. Some good brands to try are those from Avene, Garbier, or Bioderma.
Apply retinol before going to bed
Applying a retinol cream before you go to bed is the final crucial step in obtaining clear skin.
Retinol: what is it? It is a vitamin A derivative called Retin-A that is available over-the-counter.
Retin-A lowers wrinkles and, crucially for controlling acne, unclogs pores. According to Dr. Sobel, retinol is an excellent multipurpose acne therapy for adults.
“It exfoliates keratinocytes, the skin’s outermost layer of cells, and speeds up cell regeneration and turnover.
Additionally, it helps to clear blocked pores and maintain youthful skin while reducing and avoiding wrinkles and fine lines.
Try these three: Sobel Skin 4.5% Retinol Complex Night Treatment, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel, and Differin Adapalene Gel. Dr. Sobel advises using any retinol product gradually at first.
Try it one or two days a week, he advises, to develop a tolerance and prevent annoyance. “Increasingly, increase to four times per week, then daily if necessary.”
