Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCleanse Gently but WellUse Toner or AstringentApply Acne MedicationsApply MoisturizerApply Sun Protection
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cleanse Gently but Well
Use Toner or Astringent
Apply Acne Medications
Apply Moisturizer
Apply Sun Protection
A good acne skin care routine is essential when you’re prone to breakouts. Your daily process can help your skin in the following ways:
With so many products available and so much conflicting information out there, creating a skincare routine for acne can seem confusing. But your daily skin care routine for acne doesn’t need to be complex to be effective.
You’ll need just a few minutes twice a day. Often, you’ll already have everything you need on hand. What you don’t have, you can buy at the drugstore—there’s no need to invest in expensive products.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Here’s a quick snapshot of things you should and shouldn’t do when you’re putting together a skincare routine for managing acne.
Using only your fingertips or a soft washcloth, thoroughly cleanse your face. Be sure to wash your jawline, neck, and in front of and behind the ears. There’s no need to use rough pads or scrub aggressively; this won’t get your skin cleaner.
Make sure you’re using the right cleanser for your skin. What kind of cleanser you choose may depend on whether you use prescription acne medication.For instance:
If you wear makeup, or if your skin gets sweaty during the day, do a double wash at night: Cleanse, rinse well, and repeat. This extra cleanse ensures you wash away all traces of makeup, sweat, and dirt every night.
Don’t use harsh bar soaps orantibacterial hand washeson your face. Harsh soaps won’t clear your acne, but they will irritate your skin.
This step is optional. Depending on the ingredients they contain, astringents or toners can help in the following ways:
How To UseApplytonerto a cotton ball or pad and gently smooth over the face and neck. Doing so will help remove any leftover makeup, cleanser residue, and oil.
How To Use
Applytonerto a cotton ball or pad and gently smooth over the face and neck. Doing so will help remove any leftover makeup, cleanser residue, and oil.
Astringents can be drying, so keep the following in mind:
Recap
After your toner has dried completely, or after you’ve washed and thoroughly dried your face, smooth on your acne treatment creams as directed.
Whether you are using prescription or OTC gels or creams, let the medication absorb completely before applying a moisturizer.
Need help choosing an acne treatment medication? Give yourdermatologistor healthcare provider a call.
It may seem counter-intuitive to moisturize already oily skin, but don’t skip this critical step. Acne medications can dry out skin, leaving it thirsty for moisture. To reduce dry and peeling skin, apply a light moisturizer twice daily.
Your moisturizer doesn’t have to leave you feeling slick and greasy. There are many moisturizers for oily skin types that absorb fully and won’t aggravate acne.
Moisturizing gels and lotions are generally lighter than creams. Either way, choose one that is labeled oil-free andnoncomedogenic. This means it won’t clog your pores. You may need to try a few different brands to find one that you like.
Many acne treatment medications and exfoliating ingredients make your skin more susceptible to sun damage (called photosensitivity). So, ensuring your face is protected from the sun is a good part of an acne skin care routine.
Many moisturizers already contain SPF, giving you sun protection while you moisturize. If your moisturizer doesn’t contain SPF, then you should consider a separate sunscreen product.
Look for a product that is for the face rather than an all-over sunscreen product. For example, facial sunscreens tend to be less oily and don’t have that sunscreen aroma.
Sun Sensitivity During Chemotherapy
Summary
An acne skin care routine should include a cleanser, toner, acne medication, moisturizer, and sun protection. If the toner is too drying, you can simply skip that step.
If you’re using prescription acne medications, make sure to use gentle cleansers and other products. Moisturizers that include sun protection can save you time.
A Word From Verywell
You don’t need the most expensive products on the market to get good results from your acne skincare routine. The most critical step is consistency. While skipping a day here and there won’t irreparably harm your skin, the more consistent you are, the better results you will get.
If you need help getting acne breakouts under control, or you need some guidance on choosing the best skincare products for you, give your dermatologist a call.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Face washing 101.Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Face washing 101.Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Face washing 101.Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Face washing 101.
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skin care habits that can worsen acne.
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