Skincare for Acne Prone Skin

Being a teenager was probably one of the most difficult phases of our lives. The high school drama, throw in a few mean girls and top it off with being insecure about our looks, with the braces and acne, that just won’t go away.

It’s fortunate that we made it to adulthood without too many scars. Or did we?

One of the traumas of teenage that many of us carry into adulthood is acne. Every so often, a nasty breakout, reminiscent of those teenage days, and still just as traumatic, decides to happen out of nowhere. You keep thinking what you did wrong this time to aggravate the skin.

Did I not drink enough water?
Or was it because of the one time I slept without taking my makeup off?
These are probably some of the few questions racing in your mind as you look at yourself in the mirror, trying to figure out how to make it go away without leaving a mark.

So what exactly causes acne?
When the pores in the skin get clogged by dead skin cells and oil, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, causing inflammation and pimples. Many factors can contribute to acne breakouts including stress and hormone fluctuations.

While managing your lifestyle to eliminate stress factors is extremely important, having a skin care routine, especially tailored to your acne prone skin is just as much, if not more.

Want to know what your skincare routine should look like if your skin is prone to breaking out? Keep on reading to find out.

Morning Skincare Routine

Cleanser

Oily skin is most prone to acne. Cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser that includes salicylic acid helps to remove excess oil and dirt from your skin and minimizes the appearance of pores. This causes the skin to trap less oil and dirt that may cause any future acne breakouts.

Toner

Most dermatologists don't consider toner to be a necessary part of your skincare routine. However, toner with hydrating properties is considered great for your skin as oily skin also needs hydration. Hydrated skin causes less oil production that ultimately results in lesser acne. Ingredients like aloe Vera and yerba mate present in the Leovard Tonic promote collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis within your skin causing it to naturally glow and heal quicker from the acne scars.

Moisturizer

Moisturizer is important for all skin types. Yes, even oily skin. A lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated and helps to retain moisture in the skin. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and antioxidants should be considered while choosing a moisturizer. These ingredients help to build hydration giving your skin a plump and soft look. The Leovard Multicream is a light yet creamy face moisturizer, suitable for all skin types. Regular use will help you combat both hormonal and seasonal acne and its stubborn scars.

Vitamin C Serum

This product is without a doubt, the holy grail ingredient for acne-prone skin. Regular use of a good quality vitamin C serum can reduce future breakouts and heal your present acne by reducing skin inflammation and swelling. It also helps to fade the hyperpigmentation caused by the acne scars making your skin look naturally radiant and glowy.

However, it is important to note that higher percentages of L- ascorbic acid should be avoided as it may cause irritation and agitation which is the opposite of what you would want from a vitamin C serum.

Sunscreen

Whether you are in the comfort of your home or working out and about under the sun, sunscreen is the most important part of any skincare. Whether you have dry, dull, oily or combination skin type, a good sunscreen is a problem solver for most skin problems. Forming a protective layer on the skin, it prevents excessive dryness, inflammation and redness. It also reduces the chance of developing skin cancer.

For acne-prone skin, sunscreen with SPF 30 or more should be used every single day to protect your skin from the harsh UV rays which may promote more acne and worsen the scars.

Night-time Skincare Routine

Double Cleansing

Double cleansing is a crucial step if you wear makeup every day. As the name suggests, you cleanse your face two times, first with an oil-based cleanser to remove the makeup and dirt, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any leftover impurities. This two step cleansing works best for oily skin as it helps to remove the excess oil that is often the culprit causing pimples. It also ensures that no makeup or dirt residue stays on the face, as it may cause the skin pores to become clogged, resulting in a nasty breakout the next day.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating your face once a week removes dead skin cells that can clog your pores. Blocked pores trap oil and dirt that leads to breakouts. In such cases, physical exfoliators should be avoided as they can worsen your acne scars. Chemical exfoliators such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) should be used as they easily remove the top layer of dead skin cells, helping to replenish and rejuvenate your skin.

Spot Treatment

Regular use of a spot treatment helps to reduce the existing pimples and their scars while also preventing any future acne. Ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol have been recommended by dermatologists to use as spot treatments as they exfoliate and remove dead skin cells along with bacteria to improve your skin health and stimulate collagen synthesis giving your skin a firmer and younger look.

Take Away

Treating acne requires a lot of your time and patience. Your skin won't heal within a few days. It might take a few months for your products to work and show the results that you're waiting for, so keep practicing good hygiene and follow your skin care routine religiously. And while you’re at it, remember that having acne is natural and there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Having acne doesn’t make you any less of the unique and wonderful person that you are. Stay beautiful and confident in our own natural self, with Leovard.