Treating Acne at Home
When you’re battling breakouts, it’s important to know all of your acne home treatment options. As beneficial as it is to seek out help from a dermatologist, it is equally as important to teach yourself exactly how to treat your skin at home. From proper skin cleansing to moisturizing, makeup and spot treatments, it’s essential to arm yourself with the right knowledge in order to fight acne at home.
Cleansing Acne-Prone Skin at Home
Many people with acne-prone skin are under the impression that using an abrasive cleanser containing as many drying ingredients as possible will help clear up their skin at home. But that is not the case. In fact, if you use too many products containing anti-acne ingredients, you will dry out the skin and might even worsen the breakouts. At Clear Clinic, we recommend using a gentle cleanser for your skin with no harsh additives. We also recommend using a cleanser that is fragrance-free, as fragrance can irritate the skin and make acne even worse. Another feature to seek out in terms of a cleanser for acne-prone skin is that it foams. The great thing about foaming cleansers are that you do not have to rub it in as much as you would another type of cleanser, as the foaming does most of the work itself. You want to wash your skin twice a day—once in the morning and once at night, using mild water.
The Right Type of Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
A mistake that is often made by those with acne-prone skin is that they avoid using moisturizer, as they think it will make them breakout. But the truth is that moisturizer is actually essential for treating acne-prone skin at home. Keeping the skin hydrated is key to keeping it healthy. Just be sure to use a moisturizer that is non-comedogenic. Moisturizer is also important for helping the skin tolerate prescription acne medication. Dr. Eric Schweiger, New York dermatologist and founder of Clear Clinic, recommends applying moisturizer to the skin before and after you apply the acne medication, this is a technique he calls “sandwiching.” Many patients at Clear Clinic have started to employ this method and have found their skin to be far less irritated than before.
Sunscreen for Acne
When taking care of your acne-prone skin at home, you need to regularly wear sunscreen. Many people think that exposing their skin to the sun will actually improve their acne, but that is a false assumption. The sun will not only cause premature aging, it can also lead to acne breakouts thanks to the damaging ultra-violet rays. In addition, if you are on a prescription medication for acne, your skin will much more sensitive to the sun, so sun protection is essential. Look for sunscreens that are non-comedogenic. Dr. Schweiger prefers Elta MD UV Clear sunscreen for the face, as it does not leave behind a greasy feel on the face.
Spot Treating Acne at Home
When a pimple pops up, the first thing you should do is spot treat it with a product containing either sulfur or salicylic acid. Apply it in the morning and at night to fit the P. acne bacteria. Do not pop or squeeze your pimple, it will only make it worse and could lead to further breakouts and even scarring. When practicing the right acne home treatment, it’s essential not to pick at your skin.
