We’ve all struggled with acne at one point or another.
However, for some people, acne is far from just an unflattering memory from their teenage years: those with acne prone skin experience acne consistently throughout their lives.
It can be frustrating to learn how to navigate the care your acne prone skin needs, but there are many options available to help with this condition. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at the causes and consequences of acne, and explore skincare tips as well as the best products for acne prone skin found at Glow Atelier.
What causes acne?
Acne can show up as anything from noticeably clogged pores (often called blackheads), to painful, inflamed cystic acne, to your regular old pimples.
It usually appears inoilier areas of the skin such as on the:
- forehead
- chest
- shoulders
- back
Oil aside, not even those with dry skin are safe from acne!
Essentially, what causes acne is the clogging of pores by debris like oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Excessively oil skin, in particular, is often the culprit behind new breakouts or the worsening of existing ones.
Four main factors can cause oil production imbalances, which may lead to struggling with acne consistently:
- stress
- a diet rich in refined carbohydrates (foods like bread and chips)
- certain types of medication
- hormonal changes in the body.
What about acne scars?
We’ve all been guilty at picking at our pimples at some point – but you should always avoid it! It hugely increases the risk of forming acne scars.
Acne scars can appear as pits or bumps on the surface of the skin, which can be quite difficult and costly to remove, depending on their severity. Certain types of inflammatory acne, as well as genetics, also play a role in the development of acne scars.
The dark spots that can sometimes be left behind after a pimple has gone away are actually not considered acne scars (although they do get a special mention as one of the inconvenient after-effects of acne!). Unlike acne scars, dark spots usually fade away over the course of a few months.
How to care for acne prone skin
Although some types of acne may require professional care, good skincare habits can go a long way in preventing new breakouts, lessening the impact of existing ones, and improving the results of acne treatments.
Some dermatologist-approved tips for taking care of acne prone skin include:
- Cleansing your skin in the morning and at night, and after sweating;
- Being gentle with your skin, avoiding overly abrasive products;
- Washing your hair frequently;
- Letting your skin heal and avoiding touching it.
Can skincare help with acne?
Certain skincare products can also be particularly helpful for those with acne prone skin. Let’s take a look at some Glow Atelier favourites!
Best face wash for acne
The ideal face wash for acne prone skin is one that is able to cleanse skin from impurities, while not being overly aggressive to inflamed skin.
If it contains antibacterial ingredients, like the Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Cleansing Foam, all the better!
With lauric acid to combat acne-causing bacteria, and camellia flower extract to soothe irritated skin, it deeply cleanses skin without disrupting the natural moisture barrier, for a gentle but thorough cleansing experience!
Best moisturizer for acne prone skin
When looking for a moisturizer for acne prone skin, ingredients like niacinamide, which regulates oil production, and chemical exfoliants, such as AHA and BHA, can be extremely helpful.
By both preventing excessive oil production and delicately unclogging pores, this combination targets some of the root causes of pimples, stopping acne in its tracks!
You’ll find the right balance of exfoliating, oil balancing and hydrating in the Nacific Pink AHA BHA Cream, a cream designed to provide a daily treatment for acne prone skin with a lightweight, non-sticky texture.
Its ingredients include pink calamine, to soothe irritation, soybean ferment extract for a touch of anti-aging benefits, and hyaluronic acid, delivering deep hydration to skin types ranging from oily to dry, dehydrated skin.
Best sunscreen for acne prone skin
Sunscreen is essential no matter what your skin type is.The best sunscreen for acne prone skin should have a light texture and oil-balancing properties.
The Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence Calming Drop is a liquid sunscreen that boasts heartleaf as its star ingredient, reducing inflammation and redness all while having an antibacterial effect.
With the addition of Aspergillus ferment, it also tackles the persistent dark spots that acne often leaves behind.
