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When it comes to skincare, there's a plethora of information available, but not all of it is accurate, especially when it comes to acne-prone skin. Misconceptions and myths surrounding skincare can lead to ineffective routines and exacerbate skin issues. Having personally struggled with adult hormonal acne, I can vouch for the fact that you'll try anything to get rid of it and have a clean baby's butt surface to your skin. In this blog post, we debunk six common skincare myths, backed by evidence, to help you separate fact from fiction and achieve clearer, healthier skin.
Fact: Moisturizers are essential for all skin types, including acne-prone skin. The right moisturizer can help keep your skin hydrated, reduce inflammation, and prevent breakouts. Look for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. These ingredients can help to repair the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. Some great options include:
Hi: Dezi Skin Agua Fresca Thirst Quinching Gel Moisturizer ($46)
Lo: First aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream ($18)
A great moisturizing trick to pick up on is applying hyaluronic acid to trap and seal in moisture. You'll need damp skin for this, so don't completely dry it after washing. You apply enough of the serum onto your face for it to feel like a slip and slide and continue patting + slightly rubbing it in until its fully absorbed. This will ensure your skin's barrier is genuinely holding in moisture.
Fact: While washing your face is essential for removing dirt, oil, and makeup, over-washing can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause irritation. I understand the urge to want to clean your skin over and over the second any external factor touches it, but I promise this does more harm than good. You overdry your skin which causes the over-production of sebum which which equals more acne! It's best to wash your face once in the morning to get rid of anything that might be on your face from your bedding and once at night to remove the day's impurities. Use a gentle cleanser that is free of harsh chemicals and fragrances. Some great options include:
The SkinMedica face wash is 2% salicylic acid which is very efficient in treating and killing acne causing bacteria. If you plan on using this alongside ther active treatments, then you should probably limit this face wah to one use per day to avoid overdrying and peeling.
First Aid Beauty's pure skin face wash is gentle, fragrance-free formulaa that gives a thorough wash without stripping. It addresses redness and irritation with a cream formula.
Fact: Sun exposure may temporarily improve acne due to its drying effect, but prolonged sun exposure can lead to skin damage, hyperpigmentation, and potentially worsen acne in the long run. Moreover, some acne medications increase skin sensitivity to the sun such as tretinoin and clyndamicin.
To protect your skin from harmful UV rays, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Some of my personal favorites clean sunscreens are:
• Indē Wild Serum — 12% zinc oxide + SPF 50+
Sun care glow drops that shield your skin from 99% of UVA/UVB rays. The formulation is rooted in Ayurveda and is intentionally made with acne prone, hyperpigmented and sensitiveskin in mind with a lightweight and non-clogging serum texture.
Note: there will be a slight white cast when you apply but gradually disappears after the formula settles into your skin ~8 minutes
• Shiseido Stick — Oxybenzone free + SPF 50+
Completely clear stick with no white cast. This is ideal for carrying on yourself, especially when you need to reapply throughout the day. It won't smudge your makeup, doesn't have any sticky feeling, and you don't need to blend it in.
• Elta MD Clear Tinted — Made with Zinc Oxide + SPF 46
Formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, zinc oxide, and vitamin E to not only protect from UVA/UVB rays but moisturize as well. It helps keep sensitive skin calm and is available in an untinted formula.
Fact: Picking at your acne can lead to scarring, infection, and more breakouts. When you pop a pimple, you are pushing bacteria and oil deeper into your skin, which can cause inflammation and more acne. If you have a pimple that is bothering you, try using a spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These ingredients can help to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process. Try the Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm to calm any redness, keep the breakouot area protected, and help minimize scarring.
Fact: Acne can affect individuals with various skin types, including dry, normal, and combination skin. Dry skin can also be susceptible to acne breakouts due to excessive dryness which then leads to increased sebum production as mentioned above. It's important to choose skincare products suitable for your skin type and address any underlying factors contributing to acne, such as hormones or diet. Acne on dry skin may even be potentially worse than that of oily skin because your skin has acclimated to overproducing sebum in order to coompensate for the dryness. Dry skin also scars in a different way due to varying scar tissue production.
Fact: Exfoliating your skin is an essential step in any skincare routine, but using a harsh scrub can do more harm than good. Stay away froom the beady scrubs! Scrubbing can irritate your skin, cause micro-tears, and lead to more breakouts. Instead opt for a gentle/chemical exfoliant like lactic acid or glycolic acid. These ingredients can help to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and promote cell turnover. This means that the rate at which your cells rejuvenate every night will begin to speed up. Warning! You skin will be very sensitive to the sun so always use an SPF, do not use them in the morning, and yes they will sting on any active acne.
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