A concerned woman wearing only a headband uses fingers on both hands to poke a zit on her face.

The Skin Care Routine You Need for Your Acne-Prone Skin

Picture this: You roll out of bed, determined to have a positive attitude and meet any of the day’s challenges with a smile. You stretch, give your dog a good belly rub, then head into the bathroom to get ready for the day. As soon as the overhead light shines on your face and you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the mirror, you pull up short. A giant, red pimple has taken up residence on your chin. Your stomach immediately sinks.

No, this isn’t a memory from your days as a teen. It’s a very common scenario millions of adults in America experience on a daily basis. If you are having trouble getting your acne under control, it may be time to reevaluate your skincare routine. Below, you will find recommendations for morning and nightly routines using natural acne products.

A Morning Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

Keep your breakouts in check and start your day off right with this AM skincare routine:

Wash Your Face

People with acne-prone skin should wash (or cleanse) their faces first thing in the morning to eliminate any built-up oils on their faces. And just because you have breakouts across your face, that doesn’t mean you need to use an acne-fighting cleanser. In fact, these cleansers can break down your skin’s protective barrier and leave you more vulnerable to acne.

If you have oily skin, it’s best to use a creamy, oil-free cleanser with salicylic acid so that you don’t irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, consider using a soapless soap during your morning routine.

Use a Toner

A skin toner is an important step in a skincare routine. The right toner for your skin type will remove dead skin cells, extra oil, and other impurities that commonly lead to clogged pores. Make sure you choose a toner with salicylic acid and glycolic acid to prevent acne. You can also choose a hydrating toner if acne toners are too harsh. Look for botanical or fruit ingredients for a balancing, hydrating toner. 

Apply Sunscreen

While it does not necessarily treat your acne, it’s important to include the application of sunscreen in your morning skincare routine. The SPF protection will help you maintain healthy skin. Sunscreen should be applied to your face year-round, despite cooler or cloudy weather conditions. Look for a sunscreen of SPF 20 or higher for daily use. There are many moisturizers with SPF that are suitable for oily and acne prone skin, such as the Omega 3 Velvet Moisturizer.

Treat Your Acne

The morning is the perfect time to target new and existing blemishes. You may use medication prescribed by your dermatologist, or you may use over-the-counter products for spot treatments. No matter which products you choose, you will want something with active ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur, and benzoyl peroxide.

Moisturize

Now that you’ve stripped the oils from your face with your cleansing products and toner, it’s time to add some moisture back into the top layers of your skin. A moisturizer will help create a barrier between your skin and the environment. Since you have acne-prone skin, you will want to choose a non-comedogenic moisturizer. This product will be less likely to clog your pores. 

A Nightly Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

After a busy day, it’s time to wind down. One of our favorite ways to do this is by stripping the stresses of the day from our faces. Here’s a nighttime routine for those of us with acne-prone skin:

Cleanse

When you have skin prone to developing acne, simply washing your face only once a day is not good enough. You will need to wash your face in the evening to remove oils produced throughout the day, makeup, and dirt. Natural acne cleansing pads can be the perfect way to gently remove impurities from the surface of your skin and achieve a smooth complexion.

Use a Toner

Just like with your morning routine, using a toner is ideal to help remove residual oils and impurities that have accumulated during the day that your cleanser may have missed. 

Medicate

After washing your face (and using a toner), it’s time to spot treat your acne with the medication or acne products that are right for you. You will likely need to gradually build up your tolerance to many of these serums and gels. You may not be able to apply them every morning and night right away. This is an ideal time to use products that contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids or Beta Hydroxy Acids such as Salicylic or Glycolic Acids. 

Wait a minute or two after applying your acne treatment, and then move to the next step.

Moisturize

Before you collapse into bed or curl up on the couch with your special someone for the night, apply a layer of moisturizer to rehydrate your skin. You can use the same moisturizer as you used in the morning. And you don’t have to lather it on either. A light layer will be sufficient.

Your Revitalized Skin Is Moments Away

The key to a successful skincare routine for acne is consistency. Unfortunately, you will not instantly see a transformation by following these steps once (or even twice). You need to consistently use a routine like the one outlined above for at least 4 to 12 weeks before you start seeing marked improvements in your acne. However, don’t get discouraged! You will be happy you kept up with the routine.

For all your natural acne treatment products, turn to Shira Esthetics. We make it easy to shop for natural, quality products, like bio-sulfur masks, that will help fight your acne. Shop online today.