Reader’s Query – Taking Care of Acne prone Skin

Taking care of acne prone skin is a different deal altogether. And, it starts with basic steps.

Hey Swati. I just wanted to ask is it okay to use besan on face for pimples with curd daily. Will it reduce my pimples? And, can I use potato juice daily on my face? Please suggest how many times in a day should I use it?

This is a question which I come across quite often, while checking out the comments or while checking out other blogs. So, I thought it might be a good idea to write about how to start taking care of acne prone skin right from step one which is using face wash.

How to start taking care of acne prone skin?

Face Wash

Have you ever wondered if your face wash is causing breakouts?

A face wash with 2% salicylic acid is usually recommended by dermatologists for acne prone skin. Why? Because, salicylic acid is the only ingredient which can cleanse out clogged pores and kill the bacteria.

AHA’s are not recommended for acne-prone skin as they are too strong to use everyday. And, not all AHA’s suit acne-prone skin either.

Another tip which I find very useful during my breakout times is to use mud masks or multani mitti to cleanse the skin in the morning and use the face wash in the evening since skin is comparatively very clean in the morning and all you need is just a splash of water.

Morning Skin Care Routine

So, now I am breaking down the routine into morning and evening so that it is easy for you to select products and customize your skin care regime accordingly.

Serum / Moisturizer

After washing the face, you need something hydrating. So, go for watery serums with hyaluronic acid. Gel based moisturizers are again great. You can also use a toner but I usually skip it in the mornings.

Also Read : H2O plus Face Oasis

Sunscreen

After hydration, it is time for sunscreen, whether you like it or not. Go for the dry and matte type sunscreens which do not sit heavily on skin. I have tried Avene and La Rochay Posay but loved Shiseido the best though it is expensive. Mostly, it suits combination and oily skin and even normal skin.

You could follow it up with a foundation or BB cream depending on what you like!

Evening Skin Care Routine

Cleansing Milk

The most tricky product. Most of them are quite thick and heavy and creamy in texture for acne prone skin. So, get something which is definitely going to cleanse your skin. You can dilute it with your toner to make it lighter and spread more easily. Massage it properly into your hair line, crevices of the nose and chin. Do not forget neck and decolletage. And, wipe off with a tissue or baby wipe.

Just a recommendation. Recently, I tried the Clinique Take the Day off Balm which is amazing. It is a balm which melts into oil when rubbed between the palms and cleanses off every bit of makeup or sunscreen. But, then, this one is very expensive though it lasts long enough.

Face Wash

Follow with a good face wash to remove all traces of your makeup and sunscreen. A good option is to use a different face wash than the morning one. But, you could use the same if it has salicylic acid.

Toner

I love using toners at night. Currently I am on the Vichy aqua thermale which is actually quite amazing. You could also make a DIY green tea toner for best results on acne prone skin.

Alcohol based toners do help but they can get too drying for the skin which can lead to more oil production. So, try and avoid them. This point also reminds me of another question from another reader.

Moisturisation

Finish your night skin care routine with a good moisturizer. I have recommended Grapeseed oil for many oily skin beauties and most of them have given me great feedback about the performance of the product and improvement in skin quality.

Grapeseed oil is great for oily skin. It is light and anti-bacterial so it takes care of the pimples and acne as well. On a side note, it improves skin complexion and brightens the skin. But, since the grapeseed oil is a citrus product, you MUST use a sunscreen every morning.

Now, Some Specialized Treatments

This was all about the regular skin care for any type of skin, not only acne prone skin. Now, I would like to mention a few specialized products which have come in the market and help oily skin and acne prone skin in a very beautiful manner.

Vitamin C Serum

I have been using Kaya vitamin C serum and now I am on the one from Kiehl’s. I am not really impressed by either of them yet but one thing I would definitely assert is that any vitamin C serum is great at inhibiting oil production and mattefies the skin so that your subsequent skin care goes on very smoothly.

It is recommended to couple your sunscreen with vitamin C serum for extra protection. So, what I do in the morning is to take shower, let the face go completely dry, apply vitamin C serum and leave it for 10 minutes. Always apply vitamin C on dry skin. Water neutralizes vitamin C.

After waiting for 10 minutes, I follow with my sunscreen and it goes so smoothly and blends nicely into my skin. There is no oiliness and skin is completely dry to touch. Amazing finish and I love how my skin feels. This way I can also blend in a little more of sunscreen for extra protection.

Hyaluronic Acid

Another amazing skin care agent these days is this water bound molecule which is supposed to work wonders for the skin. I have not yet used any hyaluronic acid product but it is definitely recommended if you are low on hydration. Amazing product for oily skin people so search for this ingredient next time when you shop for your acne prone skin.

Glycolic Acid

A very important part of skincare routine is exfoliation. Did you know that physical exfoliation is poison for acne prone skin as it helps aggravate the condition and may transfer the bacteria from one skin part to another. So, what helps? An AHA based exfoliant.

The best way to do this is by using sugar cane juice on your face. It helps remove the dead skin without aggravating your acne and breakouts.

Products with active concentrates are good for treating acne prone skin and oily skin so may be it is time to look at specialized skin care brands. What do you think? Do you think active ingredients really help skin or do they just aggravate acne? How do you care for your acne prone skin?