How Do I Make My Acne Better?
The key to treating acne in the long term is to develop a routine that you can stick to. This means one that is pretty straightforward and easy to maintain (i.e. affordable). We recommend three pretty simple steps. Cleanse, moisturize, spot treat.
Establishing a Skin Routine
Say it with us: Cleanse, moisturize, spot-treat, SPF.
#1. Cleanse
Depending on your skin type, you’ll want to pick a cleanser that’s right for your skin. For sensitive and dry skin, Cetaphil’s daily cleanser is gentle, dermatologist-recommended, and easily located in your nearest drug store.
For oily and acne-prone skin, while Cetaphil will work, you might want something that breaks down the oil on your skin a little more thoroughly and gets into some potentially clogged pores.
Try a cleanser with Salicylic Acid, a naturally derived exfoliant that will break down dead skin cells and remove oil. FRONTMAN Zit Wipes are a great option as a cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients like Salicylic Acid. It's like killing two birds with one stone, cleansing while also treating.
#2. Moisturize
Moisture is so important for your skin. When the skin doesn’t have enough moisture, it either dries out or tries to overcompensate by overproducing oil, which can lead to acne. Incorporating a daily moisturizing routine is key to keep your skin in balance.
Hydrating, un-perfumed moisturizers are generally a good go-to. CeraVe and Cetaphil both make affordable skin-friendly face moisturizers. Different moisturizers have different levels of heaviness. If you have oily skin, opt for a lighter moisturizer or gel moisturizer that won't lead to breakouts.
#3. Spot Treat
Next is the spot treatment.
There are a few products on the market that you can buy that help get rid of a pimple sooner by targeting it with specific acne fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid or another drying agent. Including a spot treatment in your acne routine not only gets rid of pimples faster but reduces the likelihood that you’ll pick and prod at them.
This one by FRONTMAN both hides & treats acne as a salicylic acid spot treatment.
#4. SPF
And lastly, apply SPF in the morning. What is SPF? It stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a way of measuring the effectiveness of sunscreens.
At the start of your day, don't forget to apply an SPF sunscreen of at least 30. This is arguably the most important step to prevent the sun's radiation from causing skin damage over time.
Try the Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ for acne prone skin.
TL;DR
Not everyone’s optimal acne routine will be this simple. Everyone has different needs. If you have extremely acne-prone skin, dermatologist prescribed products will be a key element in your routine. That being said, this is a good and simple start! And one that you can stick to.
