THE FIRST STEP IN YOUR ACNE-PRONE SKIN ROUTINE?
MORNING CLEANSING
Cleansing skin first thing in the morning can help get rid of acne
Overnight while we sleep, sebum and dead cells build up on skin's surface, with the potential to clog pores, forming the perfect conditions for acne to form. That's why the first step in your acne treatment regime is gentle morning cleansing with micellar water or acne face wash. Products with salicylic acid for acne are particularly beneficial. Follow up your morning pore cleaner with a targeted acne-prone skin cream with clinically proven acne removal active ingredients like EFFACLAR Duo(+).
IT'S IMPORTANT TO CLEANSE
ACNE-PRONE SKIN BEFORE BED
How does evening cleansing help with acne removal and prevent acne from forming?
No matter how many times we are told to thoroughly cleanse our skin before sleep, we’ve all been guilty of falling into bed without doing it! However, night-time cleansing is particularly important if you have acne-prone skin.
Failing to remove excess oils, makeup, and other impurities risks leaving your pores clogged overnight. Clogged pores encourage a build-up of sebum that can lead to new spots. This in turn hinders repairs, including the creation of new skin cells – which could result in an acceleration of the visible signs of ageing. Your skin restores itself naturally while you sleep. The overnight regeneration process gives your skincare products or acne lotion the chance to work their magic.
Your acne cleansing routine
A rigorous morning and evening cleansing routine will reduce the likelihood of breakouts.
Cleanse your face thoroughly each morning to remove sebum and dead cells and in the evening to remove make-up and pollution. Use a gentle micellar water cleanser on a cotton wool pad, followed by a specially formulated foaming acne face wash to remove oils and the bacteria that thrive in oily conditions. Work your acne face wash into your T-zone, around the nose, chin, and any crevasses where oils accumulate, for about 20-30 seconds. Rinse with warm, not hot, water. If you use a face cloth or muslin, make sure it is clean each day. Gently pat your face dry with a clean face towel (not your body towel from the shower).
For enhanced acne treatment, a soothing acne mask is ideal as deep pore cleaner. Use once or twice a week.
After cleansing, always apply an appropriate moisturiser straight away to rehydrate your skin. If you’re using topical creams to combat acne-related symptoms, apply those after cleansing and moisturising so that they can work with your skin's natural regeneration process to produce maximum benefits.
Choosing the right moisturizers for acne
Acne sufferers with oily skin should opt for a water-based moisturiser to avoid exacerbating blemishes. However, if your skin type is normal or combination, an oil-based moisturiser is fine – just don’t apply it excessively. It’s also a good idea to make sure your moisturiser contains glycerine to ensure your skin remains hydrated.
Should I use salicylic acid for acne?
Absolutely. If you have acne-prone skin, look out for a moisturiser with a reasonable concentration of salicylic acid and LHA. The gentle exfoliating properties of these active ingredients will help keep skin clear.
What about a retinol acne treatment?
Retinol is another great active ingredient for treating acne. It has a keratolytic action, which lifts dead skin cells off the surface of the skin and exfoliates pores. This increases cell turnover, which helps to combat symptoms of acne. Applying retinol before bed can go a long way towards preventing daytime breakouts. However, new cells can be vulnerable to the effects of sunlight, so don’t forget to apply daily SPF when using a retinol cream. Retinol is particularly suitable as an adult acne treatment.
4 EXCELLENT ACNE
REMOVAL PRODUCTS
La Roche-Posay Laboratories have developed a range of specialist products designed to help alleviate acne and prevent outbreaks. With these products in your bathroom, cleansing your acne-prone skin can be as simple as 1-2-3-4.
Remove make-up, grime and pollutants with a clean cotton pad soaked in EFFACLAR Micellar Water. This gentle cleanser, enriched with anti-oxidant La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, lifts dirt and sebum away from the surface of the skin without disrupting its delicate balance.
In the palm of your hand work a small amount of EFFACLAR Cleansing Cream with warm water until it lathers. Massage the foam into your face paying special attention to problem areas. Added salicylic acid removes excess oils, leaving your pores deeply cleansed. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a clean face towel.
Once or twice a week, follow cleansing with a soothing and purifying EFFACLAR Sebo-Controlling Mask. Apply gently and leave the mask on your face for for five minutes then rinse off with warm water.
As soon as you've patted your face dry, dab on EFFACLAR Duo (+). This amazing product contains multiple active ingredients to provide complete hydration, reduce sebum secretion, help to control proliferation of bacteria, reduce redness, marks and imperfections, and stimulate skin regeneration.
Click HERE for everything you need to know about oily skin and acne.
For information on the causes of acne, click HERE.
For more information on skincare to get rid of acne, click HERE.
