Did you know, the most recent NHS data suggests that up to 80% of people aged 11 to 30 have dealt with acne? If that’s the case, then why don’t we talk about it? Acne seems to be a condition which we don’t discuss, maybe because of the stigma and embarrassment that sufferers deal with. However, this lack of discussion means that people often miss out on treatments and skincare advice which could really help. Today, we’re looking at five rules which are key to dealing with acne and we hope you’ll share this with anyone who may need it:
Cleanse Twice a Day
There’s 24 hours in a day, and that’s a lot of time for germs, dirt and excess sebum to build up on skin – if your skin is acne prone, getting rid of all of that is essential. Use a cleanser which is designed for acne prone skin, such as Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash to ensure your skin is completely clean, without becoming irritated or overstimulated.
Exfoliate…CAREFULLY!
Acne prone skin has a tendency to become congested with dead skin cells, oil and other things which can cause pore blockages, leading to spots and blackheads. You need to exfoliate once a week to get rid of this, however you don’t want to damage your skin the in process. Opting for an acne-friendly exfoliator like Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator, which will exfoliate without causing redness or sensitivity.
Don’t Skip Moisturiser
A lot of acne sufferers forego moisturiser because they either feel that their skin is already too oily or that it will lock their pores. However, an underlying cause of oiliness is actually dry skin, and there are moisturisers out there, such as Dermalogica Hydrating Lotion, which are designed to hydrate the skin without blocking the pores OR affecting oiliness.
Glycolic Acid is Your Friend
Glycolic acid may seem like a strong ingredient to use for acne-prone skin, but it actually ensures the pores are less likely to become clogged and acne breakouts are less likely to occur. Jan Marini Bioglycolic Bioclear Cream is a powerful combination of glycolic, salicylic and azelaic acid provide a broad-range of benefits for dramatically smoother, clearer, more luminous looking skin.
DON’T PICK
We’ve said it time and time again, and to be fair, we’ll probably carry on saying it for a long time – do NOT pick your spots! Picking and squeezing will lead to skin damage and can potentially result in permanent pigmentation marks or scarring of the skin. It is better to use a spot-directed treatment directly onto the area, like Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster, a fast acting acne treatment that works within 15 minutes.