The information about acne in this article might surprise you and answer questions you have been asking for a long time.
Do you feel confused by the countless creams, lotions, and acne masks you find in the pharmacy and on the cosmetics market? Almost every cosmetic brand offers an acne line, each claiming to be uncompromisingly effective. It is extremely difficult to figure out which product is best for your skin, and at the same time, it is very easy to make the wrong choice.
I’m sure many of you have experienced firsthand that finding the right products is almost a mission impossible. The unpleasant part is that even just one wrong product can significantly worsen the skin and complicate the acne situation.
Experimenting with cosmetics can be costly not only financially, but more importantly, it can be another disappointment due to the inability to solve your problem.
How important are cosmetics and skincare in the fight against acne?
Considering how much we focus on skincare, therapies, and various treatments for acne, let’s take a closer look at how important they truly are in the battle against acne and what we can expect if we rely solely on cosmetics and procedures to address our skin issues. Knowing what we can expect from this approach will certainly help protect us from unpleasant surprises and new disappointments in the future.
How important is skincare in the acne treatment process?
Improperly chosen cosmetics will inevitably worsen acne, while the right products and a well-structured skincare routine will assist in the healing process. The truth is that finding a good cosmetic protocol is key to healing your skin from acne.
What does a good cosmetic protocol mean, and what should it achieve?
If you suffer from acne, your skincare routine should be designed to include the following key points:
- Gentle and tolerant cleansing of the skin
- Effective hydration of the skin
- Antioxidant protection for the skin
- Gentle and non-aggressive exfoliation and removal of accumulated dead skin cells
- Stimulating epidermal renewal
- Protection and strengthening of the skin barrier
Is it possible for the right cosmetic protocol to completely cure your acne?
Yes, it is possible! If you suffer from mild to moderate acne (blackheads, whiteheads, and superficial pimples), it is entirely possible to solve the problem through cosmetic intervention alone – an excellent home skincare protocol and possibly anti-acne treatments.
In what cases is cosmetics not capable of curing your acne?
If you recognize yourself in any of the following points, you may need to go beyond cosmetic care and focus on the deeper causes of acne:
- Pimples appear in the same areas of your face, such as the cheeks or jawline.
- The pimples are deep, painful, and easily inflamed.
- Acne is related to your hormones and flares up around your cycle.
- One of your parents suffered from acne.
- Acne reappeared or flared up after stopping birth control pills.
- You have a diagnosis of PCOS and acne.
- Your acne is accompanied by digestive issues.
- You’ve tried everything (cosmetics, medications, diets, birth control) and nothing works.
In these cases, it will be necessary to take a more serious step, reconsider your situation, and address acne treatment on a deeper, internal level.
If cosmetics cannot fully solve your acne problem, what should you still expect from your home skincare routine?
- It should not dry out or increase the sensitivity of your skin. It should not cause a burning sensation or uncomfortable tightness of the skin.
- It should not clog your pores or cause new blackheads.
- It should not lead to excess oiliness. Excessive oiliness indicates that one of the products is too heavy for your skin, or it could be a sign that some products are too harsh (drying out your skin), leading to compensatory sebum production.
- It should leave your skin feeling comfortably soft, moisturized, and soothed.
How to create a good skincare protocol that will transform your skin?
Not every acne cream is suitable for every type of acne, and you’ve likely realized this by now. There is no universal protocol!
- Be sensitive to your skin – feel and observe how it reacts to everything you apply to it. Immediately stop using any product that makes your skin feel dry, tight, irritated, or causes a burning sensation.
2. Seek a specialist who fully understands what acne is, what causes it, and has experience working with it. Acne is a specific condition, and in order to get proper help, it’s important that the problem is deeply understood. If you know it will save you a lot of headaches, tears, and money, would you turn to a specialist? Don’t waste time with trial and error. By specialist, I do not mean salespeople, consultants, or product trainers whose goal is to promote or sell something.
3. Always introduce new products on their own – one at a time. Your goal is to understand how each product works for you and whether it causes a negative reaction on your skin. If you introduce 2-3 new products at once, it will be impossible to understand which one is having an effect. Take a slow, gradual, and patient approach.
4. Treat your skin as sensitive. Always! When purchasing skincare, choose products for sensitive skin, not oily or problematic skin. However, be cautious, as some products for sensitive skin may also contain overly aggressive ingredients.
5. Cleansing and exfoliation are the steps you should approach with great care. Why? Because often one (or both) of these steps can be too aggressive and drying. Your skin could easily become more sensitive and even more prone to pimples, scars, and hyperpigmentation.
6. Once you find a skincare protocol that works well for you, simply stick to it. I know things can always be better, and I personally strive for that, but at least for a while, avoid experimenting with new products.
Recap of the information so far:
If you have mild to moderate acne, primarily with surface-level pimples and comedones, you will likely be able to manage your skin issues by focusing on proper skincare, including the right products and possibly anti-acne treatments.
However, if your acne is due to internal causes and imbalances, cosmetics alone will not be able to fully and permanently resolve your problem. Nonetheless, skincare is still very important. I advise you to find the right skincare protocol for your skin, ensuring it positively affects your skin without worsening its condition, and then focus on addressing the deeper, underlying causes of your acne.
Also, stay away from the most common mistakes in home skincare for acne.
If you believe you need a deep and comprehensive change that will naturally lead to the healing of your skin, I am confident that the Basics for Clear Skin Program will be of interest. Take a look!
