Do you have an acne-prone skin type? And wondering how to build an effective skincare routine for your acne-prone skin? Well, you are not alone. It is one of the most common types of skin type in the USA. And almost everyone gets confused as to which product or skin ingredient they should add to their routine.
How To Build An Effective Skincare Routine For Acne-prone Skin Type?
Do you know the most challenging aspect of having this skin type? Is getting the right skincare product that does not flare your acne.
While you want products to heal your acne over time. And also, do not want to irritate your skin barrier.
Finding the right product to heal your acne quickly will irritate your skin and harm your skin barrier, leading to other skin problems.
Similarly, if you choose a gentle product, it will not get rid of your acne. Also, some products can lead to more frequent breakouts.
Most people don’t know what to do in this situation, so if you are one of them, don’t stress out. We understand that having a good skincare routine is so important. And this is why we are bringing this article to help you to build a skincare routine for your acne-prone skin. So let’s get started.
So before we begin building an effective skincare routine for your acne-prone skin, let us first understand this skin type.
Understanding Acne-Prone Skin
Acne is one of the most common skin problems faced by Americans. According to a report by AAD, around 50 million Americans suffer from acne annually.
Acne-prone skin type refers to people who are more susceptible to breaking out. It can be any type of acne, for example, pimples, whiteheads/blackheads, pustules, nodules, etc.
People with acne-prone skin tend to experience acne breakouts more frequently than others. It is a chronic condition.
How To Decide If I Have Acne-prone Skin Or Not?
Let’s conduct a small test to find whether you have an acne-prone skin type, or not. So take a small notebook and mark yes if you relate to any of these characteristics:
- Do you break out frequently? If you often notice acne or blemishes on your face, neck, chest, or body, you have acne-prone skin.
- Do you notice more sebum production or simply oiliness around your t-zone area?
- Do you have frequent and stubborn blackheads or whiteheads?
- Do you notice frequent redness or irritation?
- Does your skin react to new skincare products?
- Do you have a close family member that has acne-prone skin?
- Do you develop dark spots after the acne heals?
If you can relate to any of these symptoms, you are likely to have an acne-prone skin type.
But if you want to be more precise, we recommend you visit a dermatologist. They can access your skin and give you personalized recommendations.
Building An Skincare Routine For Acne-prone Skin
Now that we know more about acne-prone skin, let us build a customized skincare routine.
There are two different skincare approaches toward acne. One is the Western type, and the other is Korean.
But what is the difference, and how will you choose the best one? Well, let us understand the difference between the two.
The difference between Korean and Western skincare is that the Western skincare routine is more like a problem-solving routine. It focuses on how to treat existing skincare concerns with respective chemicals and skincare products. On the other hand, Korean skincare is more focused on preventive methods.
Western skincare involves incorporating active ingredients to target acne, for example, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, etc.
On the other hand, Korean skincare involves a multi-step and gentle approach toward acne. It focuses on hydrating, calming, and balancing the skin barrier while addressing acne.
Effective Western Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin
You can choose a Western skincare routine if you have stubborn acne and you want to get rid of them at any cost. It is an effective way of treating acne with a combination of active ingredients that kill acne-causing bacteria and unclog pores.
So let’s start building our own customized skincare routine:
Cleansing
The first step of the skincare routine is cleaning. Look for a foaming cleanser with gentle ingredients to remove dirt and impurities from your skin’s surface without stripping its natural moisture barrier. When you have acne, your skin is already dry and irritated. And you do not want to irritate it further by using a harsh cleanser.
Exfoliation
You can also exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and unblock pores. You can use chemical exfoliants such as AHA, BHA, PHA, or LHA, according to your skin condition and type.
To know more about these chemical exfoliants, check out this article-An Ultimate Exfoliation Guide On Physical And Chemical Exfoliators
Acne Treatment
Now is the acne treatment time that is the most important thing.
So there are many active ingredients that Western acne treatment involves, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids, etc. You have to choose one according to your acne concern and type.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful antibacterial that can kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface. It can also help you to reduce inflammation and control excessive oil. If you are just starting, you should look for a lower concentration, i.e., less than 2.5%. And increasing it gradually.
Retinoids
Retinoids are another important can carrying gradient to treat acne. They are available in the market in different forms, such as tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene.
You can choose any of its forms to treat your acne. We recommend consulting a dermatologist before using any of these because they are harsh and irritate your skin if not used properly. Also, start with a lower-concentration product.
If you want to use a retinol serum but don’t know where to start, check out this article- How To Use Retinol Serum For Beginners?. This detailed guide would help to include retinoids easily without damaging your skin.
Salicylic Acid
Another favorite ingredient of skin lovers to treat comedones is salicylic acid.
Salicylic acid is a BHA. It can penetrate deeper into your skin to dissolve impurities and unclog pores. They also reduce inflammation.
Check out this article on How To Use Salicylic Acid On Face? to incorporate this powerful acne-treatment skincare ingredient in your skincare routine without fail.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is an AHA. It works great on the surface and exfoliates the upper layer of the skin to improve your skin texture.
Glycolic acid also removes the dead skin from your skin surface and promotes cell turnover rate. It is best recommended to treat acne scars.
Check out this article- Beginner-Friendly Guide On How To Use AHA and BHA For Exfoliation? to know more about AHA.
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic Acid is a multifunctional skincare ingredient. You want to include it in your skincare routine if you suffer from nodulocystic acne. It controls excessive sebum production and reduces inflammation. It also helps to remove post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Note:
Apply these skincare products on specific areas rather than the whole face, as they are drying and can irritate your skin. You should use them as spot treatment products.
Moisturizer
Now that you have applied your acne treatment products, choose a gentle moisturizer to restore the lost moisture in the skin.
Korean Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin
Now, if you break out sometimes and want a skincare routine to prevent future acne, you should choose a Korean skincare routine. Also, it is best for sensitive skin types.
Korean skincare routine does not include any active or harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin. Instead, it focuses on maintaining a healthy skin barrier controlling sebum production, and reducing skin information without excessive drying.
So let’s start.
Cleansing
Korean skincare is incomplete without proper double cleansing. Cleansing your skin properly, especially at night, is essential to get rid of makeup, sunscreen, and other residues from your skin.
Start by exfoliating your skin with an oil cleanser. We know that using an oil on your acne-prone skin looks dangerous but trust us. Exfoliate your skin with a light oil cleanser at night. Take a few pumps of oil cleanser on your palm and massage it gently on your dry skin.
After massaging for five minutes, take a few drops of water and rub your skin to emulsify the cleanser. This way, you can remove the oil and the dirt without breaking out.
Then wash your face with a gentle foam cleanser. You can look for a product with acne-soothing ingredients like green tea. And you are ready for the next step.Quick DIY
Take a bag of green tea and soak it in hot water. Then put this water in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes. Soak cotton pads in it and apply it to your face. It will calm your skin and kill your acne-causing germs gently.
Toner
Now the next step involves using a toner with soothing ingredients to restore the pH level of your skin. You can choose any hydrating toner, but we recommend one with Centella Asiatica. Avoid using a toner with alcohol, as it can dry out your skin.
Fact-
Centella Asiatica is an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial skincare ingredient great for acne. The best part of this skincare ingredient is that it does not irritate or dry out your skin.
Serum
Now you can use any acne-targeting serum with skincare ingredients like green tea, centella asiatica, and niacinamide. It will help you soothe inflammation, control excessive sebum production, and increase acne healing time.
Spot Treatment
If you have any active acne, you can use a spot treatment cream with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid directly on the acne.
Moisturizer
Now complete this off with a non-comedogenic and non-fragrance moisturizer. You can use moisturizer gel cream if you have oily skin.
Final Words
Ok, so now that we are done with building our skincare. Let us remember a few essential points. Always avoid using harsh ingredients on your face. Never use any product with alcohol or artificial fragrance, as it can irritate your skin. Also, don’t stick to one element while dealing with acne. Try out different products till your problem is solved. But use them separately. Use them alternatively with sufficient time in between. Also, be very patient with your skincare routine, as good things take time to happen.
Finally, before trying any active acne-treating ingredients, consult your dermatologist. Also, start with a product with a lower concentration to avoid damage. And also, do a patch test to be on the safe side.
