Taking care of your skin to minimise acne

CLEANSING

Wash skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser or antiseptic wash.

Cleansing of the face should be limited to the following times:

In the morning – to ensure removal of the residues of overnight acne treatments which can make the skin more photosensitive.

In the evening – to remove sunscreen and make-up resides.  Even products claimed to be suitable for acne-prone skin can sometimes worsen acne by clogging and irritating pores.

It is advisable to use a mild “soap-free” liquid face cleanser that is acid and/or Ph balanced and free of abrasives and alcohol.  Those with oily skin should choose a cleanser with “high rinsability” (i.e. it does not contain a moisturiser that leaves a surface film) e.g. Three Fix cleanser.

Those with a combination, dry, sensitive or irritated skin and those planning to use acne treatments containing benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid should choose a liquid cleanser that contains added moisturiser (e.g. cetyl alcohol or glycerine) to help protect the skin and speed it’s repair if dry and irritated and leave a surface film e.g. Three Fix Moisturiser or Rationale Moisture Plus.  Highly moisturising cleansers (e.g. those with paraffin oil) should generally be avoided.

MEDICATED CLEANSERS

Some cleansers are called “medicated cleansers” as they contain medications said by manufacturers to improve results.  However, it is important to realise cleansing only provides a brief period of contact between the ingredients in a cleansing product and the skin before rinsing occurs.  This is unlike most topical acne therapies where the product is delivered using leave-on gels or creams.  Hence even if a medicated cleanser contains ingredients that are effective in topical acne therapies, because in a cleanser they are in contact with the skin for only a short period of time they usually offer no improved response.  In addition the use of medicated cleansers containing ingredients such as triclusan, chlorhexidine and/or tea tree oil can contribute to skin irritation.

Medicated cleansers containing salicylic acid or Montaline-C40 (the latter being in Sebamed’s Clear Face Antibacterial Cleansing Foam) do seem to have some added beneficial effect to a normal cleanser when used twice a day for five minutes

MOISTURISERS

Acne patients usually have oily facial skin making the use of moisturisers unnecessary.  A gentle cleanser with a light moisturising action is generally all that is necessary.  A moisturiser can however, be beneficial for those with combination or dry skin that is sensitive or irritated.  People with acne should be careful not to overuse moisturisers. It should be applied in both the morning and the evening to the skin areas irritated by acne treatment (red, flaky and/or itching) and possibly also to sensitive skin areas not involved by acne (such as around the eyes, sides of the face and next to the lips and nostrils) along with the neck.

Many moisturisers can cause or worsen acne.  Products labelled “oil-free” and “suitable for acne-prone skin” are usually a good choice but some may worsen acne.

Products labelled non-comedogenic have been specially tested in acne-prone individuals and have been proven not to clog pores and worsen acne.

Silicones (dimethicone and cyclomethicone) are good ingredients to look for in light moisturising gels and lotions as they will not worsen acne and will actively protect the skin against irritation.  Silicones give creams a silky smooth feel.

AVOID

(a) Avoid scrubbing skin

Scrubbing of the skin will often aggravate acne.  Acne CAN NOT be scrubbed away.  Remember the black colour of blackheads is due to the oil in the skin reacting with oxygen in the air.  It is not dirt.

(b) Avoid squeezing pimples

Trauma by squeezing is more likely to worsen the appearance and slow resolution.  Trauma is also a major cause of scarring.

Related Items

• About Acne
• General Advice