Acne Prone Skin

Usually, acne occurs when the triad of androgen, bacteria on the surface of the skin and excess oil production come together. Accordingly, it is most common in teenagers but the number of adults with acne is also on the rise. Moreover, the severity varies and it can be classed as mild, moderate or severe. Generally, acne prone skin typically contains excess oil and clogged pores which manifest as whiteheads, blackheads, nodules or cysts. It can be worsened by hormonal changes, blocked pores and spread or increase of acne-causing bacteria on the skin. As such, these are all important to consider when putting together an acne skincare routine. In this review we will take you through the best skincare ingredients for treating acne. We will also guide you on how to put together an effective acne skin routine.

One of the biggest mistakes people with acne prone skin make is to use very harsh and drying skincare products. Whilst this gives temporary relief because it makes skin feel cleaner and look dryer, it is counter productive. It actually prompts the skin to produce more oil. Also using very harsh skincare products like physical exfoliant or high dose acids is a bad idea. These can cause micro injury to the skin, irritation and inflammation as well as acne scarring. It is not all bad news though. It is possible to control acne and oil production with the right skincare routine. A good skincare routine for acne prone skin will cleanse the skin, hydrate and protect it. Additionally, it will also specifically target acne with specific acne-fighting products. With the right skincare routine, acne prone skin can be made clear, outbreaks reduced and blemishes or scars prevented.

“Acne prone skin is caused by an imbalance of the androgen hormones which stimulate overproduction of sebum from the oil-producing glands. This causes blockage of the pores and overgrowth of skin bacteria. Together, these result in inflammation resulting in pimples and blemishes. The key to caring for acne prone skin is to properly cleanse, control oil production, reduce bacterial growth and hydrate the skin.”

THE SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN

The fundamentals of caring for acne prone skin are similar to a skincare routine for oily skin. However, there are some important inclusions that are unique to acne prone skin. These include spot treatments for individual pimples. Additionally, you should find products with acne fighting ingredients which regulate oil and prevent excessive bacterial growth. Whilst your main focus will be on acne, also consider whether you have other skin concerns or goals. For instance, this may be acne scarring from previous outbreaks, uneven skin tone or rough skin texture.

Best Skincare Ingredients For Acne Prone Skin

Acne is a complex skin condition and no single treatment is a silver bullet. These are the best skincare ingredients for acne:

• Benzoyl peroxide kills the surface bacteria which can trigger and worsen acne.
• Retinoids like Tretinoin help treat whiteheads and blackheads. They can also prevent pores from being clogged by getting rid of dead skin cells. Also, they can reduce appearance of wrinkles, treat hyperpigmentation and skin texture or scarring.
• Salicylic acid is the main beta hydroxy acid. It helps unclog pores by exfoliating dead skin. It also reduces inflammation and oil secretion.
• Niacinamide regulates sebum production which reduces the oiliness of the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the redness and swelling that comes with acne.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. This helps to prevent clogged pores and leaves the skin smoother and brighter.
• Hydroquinone is great for fading post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne scars. It is often used in combination with Tretinoin for a more powerful treatment against hyperpigmentation. It can also help reduce the appearance of acne scars.
• Arbutin is a naturally occurring derivative of hydroquinone and works by slowing down the enzyme that’s responsible for skin pigmentation.
• Vitamin C can help to protect the skin from environmental damage, promote collagen production and lighten hyperpigmentation.
• Azelaic Acid is effective for mild to moderate acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also helps to reduce the production of keratin which can block pores and lead to acne.

Daily Skincare Routine

If you want success from your acne skin routine, then you need to use the right products regularly.

Mornings

• Cleanse your skin in the morning to clear pores and remove excess oil. Use a foaming cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
• Tone with a product that contains Salicylic acid.
• Spot treat (optional) with a lotion or gel containing benzoyl peroxide if you’re having active breakouts.
• Actives should be in the form of an oil-free formulation either as a cream, gel or serum. In the morning use Vitamin C to brighten and even out your skin tone. Additional active ingredients that are good for acne prone skin include those containing niacinamide, arbutin and azelaic acid.
• Moisturise with a hydrating light-weight product ideally containing Vitamin B5 (niacinamide). Other ingredients to look for in a moisturiser include hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid. Follow up with a hydrating eye cream if you have dark under eye circles, fine lines or dry skin in that area.
• Protect your skin from photo damage with an oil-free sunscreen containing at least SPF 30.

Evenings

• Double Cleanse in the evenings to completely remove any makeup and clear out any clogged up pores. Use a cleansing balm, lotion or oil to remove excess oil, dirt and makeup. Follow up with the foaming cleanser you use in the mornings.
• Actives at night should be Retinol, Adapalene or Tretinoin. Retinoids will help control acne, reduce lines and wrinkles, brighten skin and fade out any acne scars or sun damage spots.
• Moisturise with a more emolliating cream to lock in hydration and build up your skin barrier. Finish your acne skincare routine by apply a hydrating under eye cream either containing retinol or you can use your own retinoid sandwiched between a hydrating eye cream or your night moisturiser. This will help reduce the appearance of dark under eye circles or smile line wrinkles.

Weekly Skincare Routine

Once a week set aside a little time to pamper your skin or focus even more on specific skin concerns:

• Active Mask: use an enzyme or exfoliating acid treatment (usually these come as face masks). You can also look for products that have clay or activated charcoal to draw out excess oil if that’s a problem.
• Reparative Mask: to repair and protect your skin barrier and prevent your skin from drying out, use a hydrating face mask with reparative properties. Look for products with a hydrating base that contain hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and niacinamide.

Professional Treatments for Acne

A good skincare routine will clarify your skin and control acne. It can also target other problems including acne scarring, blemishes, wrinkles or uneven skin tone. To quickly get your skin to a better baseline we would recommend a prescription skincare system such as Obagi CLENZIderm alongside Tretinoin. You may also need a short course of Hydroquinone to help fade post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and any acne scarring.

If you’re looking for in office treatments, then try a course of chemical peels. If your acne is under control and you simply wish to boost your skincare routine, then a superficial chemical peel or advanced clinical facial every 2-3 months can help with that. At City Skin Clinic, we offer personalised prescription skincare to treat acne, scars and hyperpigmentation through our online skincare clinic. These are entirely designed around your specific skin concerns and goals.