Beyond Breakouts: The Dos & Don’ts for Acne

Before moving ahead with the post, let me tell you a little backstory. I have been struggling with acne from five to six years since I have oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. Trust me, I have been through everything from tiny bumps to those painful, pustular, and stubborn pimples, and from allopathy to homeopathy to find a cure.

Though the journey was challenging, I learned a dozen things along the way. Skincare became a form of therapy, and I didn’t realize when it intrigued me this much. I did a little research about it and studied about various products and their formulations to understand what really would cure my acne. Most of the cures started with a healthy lifestyle.

From all the trials and errors, here is a list of the dos and don’ts to combat acne,

THE DOs

1. Always patch-test a skincare product before trying it directly on your face. Apply some product on the inner side of your forearm and let it sit for a few hours. If your skin reacts aggressively to it, you know it’s something to stay away from.
2. Moisturizer is a must. I have heard many people say that oily skin does not require a moisturizer. That’s entirely wrong. Skin produces excess oil to keep itself hydrated, to put it in an equation, the dryer your skin is, the more oil it will produce. Use gel-type moisturizers that are lightweight and non-sticky. Heavy moisturizers will clog your pores, therefore just lending a helping hand to another pimple. Let me know if you want any recommendations for moisturizers for oily and acne-prone skin!
3. Use a facewash that contains salicylic acid in either 1% or 2%. Salicylic acid is a game-changer for acne-prone skin. Other best ingredients you should look for in your facewash are zinc, sulfur, niacinamide, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, and aloe vera. Make sure your face wash is oil-free. A foaming cleanser is recommended, but you can also go for a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils.
4. Ice reduces inflammation of acne, so start icing every other morning as a beginner. Instead of putting ice directly onto your skin, wrap it around a paper towel and then begin icing. Some skin types might be sensitive to direct ice that may end up breaking the facial capillaries, causing more redness. Once your skin gets used to this, you can also start icing at night. Icing worked wonders for my skin, so it is one of my best tips!
5. Wash your face at least three to four times a day. Twice with a facewash (AM & PM) and other times with normal tap water. Then pat dry with a paper towel or let it air dry. Using a towel that you normally use traps a ton of bacteria that lands directly onto your face and becomes one of the root causes of future breakouts.
6. Stay hydrated! Many people out there don’t drink enough water, and as trivial as it may sound, drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you could do for much healthier and clearer skin.
7. Always wash your hands clean before using a facewash. The bacteria from all the surfaces you’ve touched accumulate, further mixing with your facewash, and you can imagine how unhygienic that gets. A minimal but effective change is what this is, I promise.
8. Change your pillowcases every week. It might not make sense, but here’s the logic behind it. Our hair produces natural oils during sleep to keep the scalp hydrated, those oils stay on the pillowcases, and when our faces touch the case, those oils clog our pores, hence leading to more pimples. Another quick tip, use silk pillowcases. It’s a revolutionary step for both your skin and your hair.
9. Keep a note of which type of product/ingredient is working for you. This helps you learn more about your skin type to buy better and more effective products, saving time and money.
10. Use clay masks containing natural imgredients like , Multani Mitti (a.k.a. fuller’s earth), turmeric, sandalwood, etc. Two of the best clays for oily skin is Kaolin and Bentonite Clay. They help extract excessive oil and sebum, keeping your skin healthier for much longer. Using them once a week is ideal. Another quick tip for when skin gets too oily is to use blotting papers. They absorb excess oil without touching your make-up or taking away any natural oils.

THE DON’Ts

1. Physical facial scrubs are not for sensitive, acne-prone skin types. They hamper your skin’s natural barrier, disturb the oil regulation, and cause more redness. So, don’t make them a part of your routine.
2. Don’t pick at your pimples. I know how satisfying that feels, but popping that pimple will only lead to a colony of them.
3. Don’t use actives every day. Actives like retinol, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid are great when used three times a week. Over-exfoliation damages your skin barrier and makes it weaker. It is always better to consult with a dermatologist first before starting your skincare journey with actives. My dermatologist suggested me a mild facial soap that consisted of salicylic acid and sulfur, which worked for me; hence it is on my recommended list.
4. Try not to include a lot of sugar and dairy products in your daily eating practices. They promote inflammation, therefore leading to stubborn acne. Moderate amounts of them should do.
5. “If it itches, just means that it's working,” this is such a big myth. Don’t continue using a product that often itches, causes redness and irritation, or tiny bumps. Discard it the minute you notice such symptoms.
6. Your skincare routine does not necessarily require a toner. You can use it but refrain from using too many products when you have active acne. Instead, you can use 2-in-1 products like toners that are moisturizing enough, moisturizers and lip balms that have sunscreen, etc.
7. These days we are quite influenced by influencers or celebrities using sponsored products deemed to be their favorites. Though the products might have some great ingredient compositions, they might not work the same way they did for the influencer as they would work on you. So, again, don’t use a product without a patch test.
8. Don’t sleep with a face full of makeup. I understand that sometimes you’re just out of energy to go on with your skincare. On days like those, simply using a facewash and a moisturizer does the job. A full face of makeup is an open gate to uninvited acne, so it’s better to push yourself for a facewash, isn’t it?
9. Don’t use a vitamin C serum when you’re having any active acne. Usually, for acne-prone skin types, kojic acid, niacinamide, or glycolic acid is recommended as a skin-clearing ingredient, so go for them instead.
10. Don’t overload yourself. For people with acne-prone skin like mine, stress really shows on your skin. Excess oil and sebum production; clogged pores send an invite to those pimples the exact next day. People with stressful lifestyles should incorporate a regular workout routine in their everyday practices. That is exactly what I did. Choose the workout type that you enjoy doing, like hitting the gym, going for a walk, dancing, yoga; the list goes on. Staying consistent changes the entire game. Start from three times a week, then gradually stretch it to small intervals but six to seven days a week.

Ultimately, taking care of acne-prone skin requires a combination of knowledge, patience, and consistency. By following the dos and avoiding the don’ts, you can create a tailored skincare routine that caters to your skin’s unique needs. Embrace the power of gentle and non-comedogenic products, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to nurture your skin from the inside out.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for acne-prone skin, but with the right approach and a positive mindset, you can achieve clearer and healthier skin over time. Be kind to yourself and give your skin the love and attention it deserves. With a little care and dedication, you can conquer acne and embark on a journey toward glowing and radiant skin. Hope these tips help! Happy skincare :)

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