Dermatologist Recommended Skin Care Routine For Acne That Works

According to Dr. Jaliman, the first thing you should do is examine all of the things you use on your skin (including makeup) and hair. “The biggest mistake I see people making with their acne routine is that they use too many products and don’t check the labels for ingredients,” she says. Look for the phrases non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, or oil-free on products to ensure that there are no greasy, pimple-causing substances, she advises. Dermatologist Recommended Skin Care Routine For Acne

Dermatologist Recommended Skin Care Routine For Acne That Works

Step 1: Wash your face — gently!

Though you may be tempted to scrub away at your face like you’re trying to scrape mud off your favorite pair of shoes, that can actually make things worse, says Elyse M. Love, M.D., of Spring Street Dermatology in New York. “Often patients believe that acne is a result of excess dirt or oil on the skin and they attempt to over-cleanse and over-exfoliate the skin,” she says. “Although routine cleansing is important, acne is an inflammatory condition, so this over-cleansing can actually irritate the skin and further drive the process.” Dr. Sobel adds, “It’s important to not overstrip the skin, as this compromises the skin’s protective barrier, which can lead to further breakouts, irritation, redness and uneven skin texture and tone.”

All three dermatologists I spoke with recommended washing your face with a gentle foaming cleanser in the morning. But you have a choice here: If you prefer to dab on a spot treatment separately — or your doctor has prescribed an RX acne medication — then stick with a mild, non-medicated cleanser in the morning, such as Neutrogena Ultra Daily Face Wash for Sensitive Skin.

If you wish to combine the first two stages, use a foam cleanser with an acne-fighting component. If you have whiteheads or blackheads, search for a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to slough off the damaged top layer of skin, removing dead skin cells before they become clogged in your pores (try Medik8 Clarifying Foam, which also contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory tea tree oil). If you have red, inflammatory acne, look for a cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide, which targets surface bacteria (Dr. Jaliman recommends CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser, which contains benzoyl peroxide, niacinamides, and ceramides; or try PanOxyl Foaming Wash, which contains 10% benzoyl peroxide).

If you wish to combine the first two stages, use a foam cleanser with an acne-fighting component. If you have whiteheads or blackheads, search for a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to slough off the damaged top layer of skin, removing dead skin cells before they become clogged in your pores (try Medik8 Clarifying Foam, which also contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory tea tree oil). If you have red, inflammatory acne, look for a cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide, which targets surface bacteria (Dr. Jaliman recommends CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser, which contains benzoyl peroxide, niacinamides, and ceramides; or try PanOxyl Foaming Wash, which contains 10% benzoyl peroxide).

Step 2: Apply an acne treatment medication

If you chose to use a simple cleanser in step 1, here’s your chance to spot treat with the more powerful stuff. After washing, let your skin dry — pat gently with a soft towel rather than rubbing — and then try an over-the-counter treatment, such as CeraVe Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Gel or La Roche Posay Dual Action Acne Treatment.

According to specialists, it can take at least six weeks for an over-the-counter therapy to work; if you’re still not seeing benefits, you should see a dermatologist, who can prescribe a stronger drug, such as Dapsone gel. Dr. Love offers the following wise advice: “If you live in an area where there’s a three-month wait to see a dermatologist, make the appointment as soon as you start the over-the-counter drugstore topicals as a backup plan,” she advises. “You can always cancel it if you don’t need it!”

Step 3: Apply a non-greasy moisturizer

When you’re worried about oily skin and clogged pores, moisturizer may seem unnecessary, but the opposite is actually true: “Moisturizers help keep the skin’s oil production in balance,” says Dr. Love. “It also helps acne suffers tolerate acne medications, which are often drying. The key is to stick to oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers.” One of Dr. Love’s favorites is La Roche Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer. Dr. Jaliman recommends using an aloe-based, noncomedogenic moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which protects collagen. One that fits the bill: Fresh Rituals Aloe Vera Moisturizer. Other noncomedogenic options include Cetaphil Gentle Clear and Aveeno Clear Complexion, both of which contain a hit of salicylic acid. For more top-tested recommendations from the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, check out our list of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin.

Step 4: Don’t forget sunscreen

Sunscreen is a crucial step to protect skin from UV damage, but when you have acne-prone skin, you should choose a sunscreen that won’t clog pores or make your breakouts worse, says Dr. Jaliman, who loves EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF because it contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide, which reduces redness. Another sunscreen recommended by the experts in the GH Beauty Lab: La Roche Anthelios SPF 60 Dry Touch Clear Skin Sunscreen, which has a lightweight feel.

Step 5: Cleanse again at night

When you cleanse at night, you’ll want something that can gently remove the makeup, oil and debris your face has accumulated during the day, says Dr. Sobel, who recommends a gel-based, surfactant-free cleanser, like Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel, which contains salicylic acid and is a favorite of the GH staff. If you like to use a toner as a follow-up step, just make sure it’s oil-free says Dr. Jaliman, like the ones on our list of the best toners for acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, Dr. Love recommends doing a double cleanse by using micellar water first — try the ones from Avene, Garbier, or Bioderma — then following that up with your cleanser.

Step 6: Apply a retinol product before bed

There’s one more thing you should do before going to bed to achieve clear skin: apply a retinol cream. What exactly is retinol? It’s the over-the-counter version of the vitamin A derivative Retin-A, which minimizes wrinkles and unclogs pores (important for acne control). “Retinol is a great multi-tasking acne treatment for adults,” Dr. Sobel explains. “It promotes cell turnover and regeneration while exfoliating keratinocytes, the cells on the skin’s outermost layer.” It also acts to cleanse pores and keep skin looking young by reducing and avoiding fine lines and wrinkles. Differin Adapalene Gel, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel, and Sobel Skin 4.5% Retinol Complex Night Treatment are three to try. Dr. Sobel advises starting with retinol products gradually.Give it a shot.

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