Our Clear Skin Routine: The Best Skin Care Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

Acne is the most common skin condition in the Philippines, affecting around 17 million people. It appears as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes cysts or nodules on the face and body, and can have a significant impact on your self-esteem and quality of life. With a good skin care routine for acne, you can help soothe your acne-prone skin and improve its overall appearance and health.

Using gentle products in your skin care routine for acne-prone skin

If you have acne-prone skin, it’s important to avoid fragrances and harsh ingredients, as they can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. This in turn can cause your skin to produce more oil to compensate, which can exacerbate your acne and makes it more difficult to manage.


In addition, some products can clog your pores and trap oil and bacteria, so it's important to choose gentle, non-comedogenic skin care products to avoid clogging your pores and exacerbating your condition.

Skin care routine steps for acne-prone skin

Another thing that’s important when managing acne-prone skin is the order in which you apply products. Applying products in the wrong order can alter their effectiveness and absorption into your skin. You might want to follow these recommended steps:

Step 1: Cleanse

A cleanser should always be the first step of your daily skin care routine for acne-prone skin. A cleanser helps remove excess oil, dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells which can clog pores, leading to breakouts. Using a cleanser before other skin care products or acne treatments can help these products or treatments work more effectively.


There are several types of facial cleansers available, such as foaming cleansers, oily cleansers, and cream cleansers. Each comes with its own unique benefits and ingredients. For acne-prone skin, it’s best to choose a cleanser that is effective yet gentle to prevent further breakouts and help to maintain a clear complexion.


If you are looking for a cleanser that gently works to restore an even, luminous skin tone, you might want to try Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Brightness Reveal Creamy Cleanser, which is fragrance-free and clinically tested on sensitive skin.

Step 2: Tone

A toner can be a beneficial addition to your clear skin routine. Even after cleansing, there may still be dirt, oil, or makeup residue left on the skin. A toner can even further remove these impurities and ensure that your skin is completely clean. It can also help to renew your skin and tighten pores, so that they are less visible, which gives skin a brighter appearance.


You should apply a toner after cleansing, but before moisturizing to make other skin care products more effective.


Try Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Brightness Refresh Toner, which not only contains ingredients that help hydrate your skin and keep it moisturized, but also brightens and evens your skin tone in four weeks when regularly used - without irritating or weakening your skin barrier.

Step 3: Moisturize

Moisturizing is another essential step in your daily skin care routine for acne-prone skin because it hydrates and keeps your skin healthy. Applied after a thorough cleanse, a moisturizer helps to lock in moisture and prevent the skin from becoming dry and dehydrated. In addition, it can help strengthen your skin’s natural barrier and improve its function.


When applying a moisturizer, let it be absorbed by your skin for a few minutes before using any other products, such as sunscreen or makeup.


If you want to reduce any dark spots on your skin and achieve a bright, radiant, and even skin tone, try out Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Brightening Day Protection Cream SPF15. This moisturizer comes with SPF 15 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, and it doesn’t weaken or irritate your skin barrier.


For thoroughly hydrating skin at night, you might want to use Cetaphil Nourish and Correct Brightening Night Comfort Cream. It works overnight to correct dark spots and replenish your skin's moisture so that you wake up with visibly luminous, radiant skin.

Step 4: Use sun protection

Using sun protection is an essential part of your skin care routine for acne, since it protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Not only is exposure to UV radiation one of the leading causes of skin cancer. UV radiation can also cause premature aging of the skin, including wrinkles, age spots, and loss of elasticity.


For people with acne, the sun’s UV rays are especially problematic. They can increase the production of oil in your skin and cause inflammation, which can exacerbate existing acne and lead to the development of new pimples. In addition, UV radiation can cause hyperpigmentation, which can lead to the development of dark spots and uneven skin tone.


To protect your acne-prone skin from UV rays, you can use a moisturizer with built-in sun protection or a sunscreen such as Cetaphil Sun SPF50+ Gel. If you are unsure which sun protection is best for your skin, read our article on How to choose the best beach sunscreen for your skin.

Extra step: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which makes it a beneficial step in any skin clear routine.


When dead skin cells accumulate on the skin, they can clog pores, dull the complexion, and make the skin appear rough and uneven. By removing these dead skin cells, new, healthy skin cells are able to come to the surface, which can help prevent skin problems, and improve skin texture, all of which can lead to a more radiant and healthy-looking complexion.


However, it's important to exfoliate properly and not to overdo it. Over-exfoliation can damage the skin and lead to irritation, sensitivity, and inflammation. Limit exfoliation to two or three times per week at first, and reduce the frequency if you experience any irritation. If your skin tolerates it, you also can exfoliate daily.


With acne-prone skin, it’s essential to use non-irritating exfoliating products, such as Cetaphil Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, which is gentle enough for everyday use, supports healthy-looking skin, smooths your skin, and helps improve its texture.

Things to remember - a clear skin routine

With acne-prone skin, it's important to maintain a consistent skin care routine and avoid picking or squeezing pimples, which can lead to scarring and more breakouts. Using the correct products in the best order may also help to prevent the development of breakouts, reduce inflammation, and minimize the appearance of acne scars and hyperpigmentation.

References

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  2. Lim-Ang MLC, Lavadia AM. Relationship of Whole Blood Zinc Levels to Acne Severity Among Filipinos 18-25 years old: A Cross-sectional Comparative Study in a Tertiary Government Hospital, JPDS. 2022;30 (1):20-25
  3. National Guideline Alliance (UK). Skin care advice for people with acne vulgaris: Acne vulgaris: management: Evidence review B. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 2021; (NICE Guideline, No. 198.) Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573057/
  4. Goh CL et al. Meeting the Challenges of Acne Treatment in Asian Patients: A Review of the Role of Dermocosmetics as Adjunctive Therapy. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2016;9(2):85-92. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.184043
  5. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to control oily skin. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skin Accessed 2.04.2023
  6. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Got Adult Acne? https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/got-adult-acne-get-answers-from-an-expert Accessed 27.4.2023
  7. Rodan K et al. Efficacy of a twice-daily, 3-step, over-the-counter skincare regimen for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017. 4;10:3-9. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S125438
  8. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Moisturizer: Why you may need it if you have acne. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/moisturizer Accessed 27.4.2023
  9. D'Orazio J et al. UV radiation and the skin. Int J Mol Sci. 20137;14(6):12222-48. doi: 10.3390/ijms140612222
  10. Rodan K et al. Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1152. doi: 1097/GOX.0000000000001152
  11. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to safely exfoliate at home. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home Accessed 27.4.2023