Acne-Prone Skin Care Routine
Acne is one of the most frustrating skin conditions, popping up at the most inconvenient times and creating an uncomfortable nuisance. It appears for a variety of reasons, like genetics or diet, and it can drastically reduce your self-confidence and make it challenging to go out to your favorite places. Many individuals with acne-prone skin can become frustrated when acne just does not seem to go away. However, acne is manageable, and there are ways to combat it.
There are many treatments and at-home remedies for acne out there, but many of them turn out not to work as well as advertised. Fortunately, with the proper maintenance program and the right products, you can enjoy clear, radiant skin. Reducing and preventing acne is a multi-faceted and comprehensive process. By following a few steps and incorporating nourishing skincare products into your routine, you will start to see some encouraging and exciting results.
What Causes Acne?
For many, it is hard to pinpoint the exact cause of their acne because it can be hard to predict and affect some more than others. Although, there are several common factors that certainly do not help acne-prone skin and can lead to more breakouts. Acne occurs when the hair follicles or pores in your skin become clogged with oil, dirt, bacteria, or dead skin cells. Acne affects an estimated 80% of people in some form between ages 11 and 30. Certain conditions can make acne more common.
The following are some of the main culprits that can increase your risk for acne or make your acne worse:
Oil and dirt build-up is the most significant reason for acne flareups as they directly clog your pores and cause your body to respond with inflammation. If you have acne-prone skin, then your body may be more likely to respond to this build-up with an inflammation response, or your body may be producing the oil that clogs your pores.
In order to begin controlling your acne, it is essential to have a skincare routine that not only washes away build-up inside of your pores but also nourishes and protects your skin against future breakouts.
Best Ways to Manage Acne-Prone Skin
Although not everyone’s skin is the same, several best practices will help minimize the potential for acne. Taking care of your skin and providing it with the right treatment goes a long way. When combating acne, it is best to find a routine that works and stick to it. The following steps will allow you to treat your skin and provide the care necessary for reducing breakouts.
- Wash Your Skin at Least Twice a Day
Washing your face regularly helps to reduce dirt and oil build-up and keep your pores clear to avoid breakouts. It is good practice to wash your face once in the morning after waking up and once in the evening after exposing your skin to the elements throughout the day.
Use lukewarm water while washing to open up the pores and remove the dirt. While rinsing off your cleanser, you should use cold water to constrict the pores and prevent more dirt from getting in.
In some cases, you should consider washing your face more often. It is always a good idea to wash your face after exercise since sweating can make acne worse. If you spend a lot of time outside or work in a greasy environment, like a kitchen, you may be prone to more dirt and oil build-up on your skin. In these cases, you should wash your face more often to eliminate the build-up before it clogs your pores.
When you do wash your face, you want to use products that will get the job done right. A good face wash will remove dirt, nourish your skin, and maintain moisture. As you look for the best acne-combating face wash, look for gentle, irritant-free products that protect the health of your skin while cleaning. A charcoal face wash without harmful ingredients can even detox your face, remove build-up, and exfoliate your skin.
- Gently Apply Skin Care Products
Choosing the right skin care products is crucial to maintaining healthy skin. How you apply these products can also have an impact on your skin. Washcloths and mesh sponges are abrasive and can irritate the skin as the fibers rub across your face, making it even more prone to acne. A washcloth can also harbor bacteria and trap dirt. Cleaning your face with a dirty cloth is counterproductive and can erase all of your hard work in maintaining an effective skincare routine.
With clean hands, using your fingertips is one of the best ways to apply skincare products to your face. However, it will not always help you reach the dirt build-up trapped in the pores. At WOW, our face wash products come with a silicone brush that allows you to gently apply products without irritating the skin while still providing a deep and effective clean.
- Moisturize Your Skin
Many people are hesitant to moisturize because adding more moisture to the skin seems counterintuitive when trying to combat acne. But that is not exactly the case. Dry skin can actually increase your risk for acne. When your skin is too dry, your body starts to produce more oil to compensate. This excess oil can clog your pores and cause breakouts. Although, if you moisturize your skin often, your body slows oil production, and your face maintains a healthy production of oil.
It is good practice to moisturize your face daily. You will want to moisturize even more often in the cold weather of the winter and if you live in dry climates since your skin will dry out faster. You can also tell when your face feels drier than usual. Moisturizing after showering or washing your face with water will help trap the moisture and create a barrier against dirt and other contaminants.
Not all moisturizers work equally, though. The best moisturizers for acne are oil-free and anti-inflammatory. Even coconut oil, which is often embraced as a great natural moisturizer, can clog your pores and increase acne. Lighter, oil-free moisturizers provide radiant skin without feeling too greasy. Plus, they are free from the oils and heavy ingredients that can clog your pores and encourage breakouts.
For added benefits, you should also look for moisturizers that contain natural vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides, which can help reduce the inflammation that is a key part of having acne. Ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin B12, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid are particularly great for nourishing your acne-prone skin. Two great options for supporting your skin’s hydration are WOW’s Green Tea Face Moisturizer and Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel.
- Shampoo Regularly
Not shampooing regularly can be a large contributor to acne, especially if you are prone to having oily hair. If your hair regularly falls into your face or if you touch your hair before touching your face, the oil can build up on your skin and in your pores to cause acne. If you are prone to oily skin, then it is recommended that you shampoo daily. By choosing the right products, you can keep up a consistent shampoo routine without drying out your hair or removing its natural nutrients.
It can be unsettling trying to find a shampoo that controls your hair’s oil production without drying it out. However, WOW Skin Science can help you manage your oily hair and protect your skin from acne with our Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo. Our shampoo is gentle enough to prevent your hair from drying out but capable enough to remove excess oil build-up, all while providing your hair with a vibrant, healthy shine.
- Stay Away from Harsh Products
Cleaning your face is crucial for controlling acne, but if you are not using the right products, your cleanser may not be helping as much as you think. Your face is already one of the most sensitive areas on the body, and when managing acne, the skin requires even more care and balance. Harsh cleansers and skincare products can throw off this balance, dry out your skin, and do more harm than good. As a result, you should always pay special attention to the ingredient label when weighing your product options.
When choosing skin care products, you should look for alcohol-free cleansers that will not irritate or dry out your skin. Other chemicals to avoid are sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Acne-prone skin tends to be more sensitive than other skin types, so it is less likely to respond well to these ingredients. Introducing harmful, synthetic ingredients into your skincare routine will further irritate your skin and likely make your acne worse. WOW’s Ubtan Foaming Face Wash is just one example of the many paraben, sulfate, and silicone-free face wash products that work great for cleaning sensitive skin.
- Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure
Too much sun exposure can damage and dry out your skin, which does not help ease the troubles of acne-prone skin. The ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun can do even more damage as some acne-treating skincare products can make your skin extra sensitive. When sun exposure is unavoidable, it is a good idea to provide your skin with the best protection possible.
Especially when using products that may make your skin more sensitive, you should apply sunscreen before going outside. Applying sunscreen to your face is always a good choice, no matter how acne-prone your skin is. It is best to choose a sunscreen with a higher sun protection factor (SPF). Sunscreens with an SPF over 30 can block 97% of the sun’s rays and help shield your skin.
If you have already developed a sunburn on your face, a gentle face wash with aloe vera can help soothe the area and minimize any potential damage. Taking care of your skin in all the little ways can make a big difference in combatting acne.
- Allow Your Skin to Heal
When acne does pop up, it is crucial that you handle it carefully. If you are prone to acne, you are probably eager to pick away the pimples as they develop in order to get them off your face as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, squeezing or picking at your acne, and touching your face in general, makes your acne take longer to clear up and can cause new blemishes to appear.
Having acne for an extended period is bad enough, but if you pick at your acne, you can also prevent the healing process and cause lasting scars to develop. These scars will stay on your face and only add to the frustration of acne-prone skin, making it important to stay patient.
If you have already developed acne scars, there is still hope. Maintaining a healthy and consistent skincare routine can reduce the presence of scars or at least cause them to fade. Essential oils, lemon juice, and aloe vera can all help repair damaged skin and reduce scarring. WOW’s Ubtan Face & Body Scrub is another great product for repairing damaged skin and restoring its youthful appearance.
- Take Back Your Confidence
Acne can lower your self-esteem and harm your self-image, especially when it is hard to control. Controlling acne is a multi-step process and requires commitment. For those with acne-prone skin, it can be challenging to find a skincare routine that actually works. Fortunately, the right products can help you achieve clear skin and regain your confidence. By following a careful skincare routine and choosing products that gently nourish your skin, you can keep your skin healthy and minimize breakouts.
Finding products that protect your skin without drying it out or using synthetic ingredients can be challenging. Fortunately, WOW Skin Science has you covered. From paraben-free cleansers to vitamin-reinforced moisturizers, WOW Skin Science offers a long list of innovative products to help you maintain clear, radiant skin. Explore our complete inventory of natural, cruelty-free skincare products today.
Recommended Products to to Manage Your Acne-Prone Skin
Ubtan Face & Body Scrub
Ubtan Foaming Face Wash with Brush
Aloe Vera Face Wash with Brush
10-in-1 Apple Cider Vinegar Mist Tonic
