How To Care For Acne-Prone Skin Using Natural Products

Acne-prone skin is one of the most difficult skin types to care for. Especially for younger people who are going through puberty and the resultant hormonal changes that can exacerbate acne. Caring for this skin type is about more than just applying anti-blemish products. It can often involve lifestyle changes, the most important of which is a targeted skincare routine.

What Is Acne-Prone Skin?

Acne-prone skin (which is often referred to as a skin condition rather than a skin type) is characterised by persistent and recurring pimple-like flare-ups. These flare-ups are usually accompanied by larger, deeper lesions including papules, pustules, cysts or nodules that occur deep within the layers of the skin.

If you frequently break out (or experience the skin flare-ups that never seem to go away), you likely have acne-prone skin. This means your pores tend to clog easily, making you more susceptible to whiteheads, blackheads or pimples than other skin types. You can have oily or dry skin and be prone to acne.

Difference Between Acne And Pimple

The difference between acne and pimples is the fact that pimples are a symptom of a condition, while acne is the condition itself. People who have acne-prone skin will experience pimples as a part of their condition, but not everyone who gets pimples occasionally has acne-prone skin. 

Causes Of Acne

Although there are numerous causes of acne, the most common causes are hormones and hormonal imbalances, excess sebum (oil) production, genetics, diet, environmental pollution and more. When there is a combination of hormones, oil, and bacteria, the chance of an acne flare-up is high. This is because oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria can clog the hair follicles on the skin. When this happens, sebum can’t escape the pores and eventually leads to acne.

Skincare Habits That Can Worsen Acne

Sometimes, it may seem like, no matter your best efforts, you just can’t prevent your skin from popping up new acnes. If this is spot on for you, your skincare routine and habits could be to blame. To help you get a hang of caring for your acne-prone skin, here are some skincare habits that can worsen acne and some tips to help you improve those habits.

• Use makeup, hair or skincare products that can cause acne:

Many beauty products contain oil or other ingredients that can cause acne breakouts. If you continue to use them, you may continue to see blemishes. To prevent this, use only beauty products that are labelled “non-comedogenic” or specially formulated for acne-prone skin as these products won’t cause breakouts in most people.

• Wash your face throughout the day:

Despite what you may think, washing your face several times a day can further irritate your skin, leading to more breakouts. Stick to washing your face about twice a day — when you wake up and before you go to bed. Outside of these times, you’ll also want to wash your face when you finish an activity that makes you sweat, like exercising.

• Share makeup and/or makeup applicators:

Even if you use only non-comedogenic products, sharing makeup and makeup applicators like brushes can lead to acne flareups. Although acne isn’t contagious, when you share makeup, makeup brushes, or applicators, the acne-causing bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells on other people’s skin can end up in your makeup. And when you use that makeup, you can transfer their bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells to your skin. These can clog your pores, leading to breakouts. To prevent this, you need to ensure you’re the only person who uses your makeup and makeup applicators.

• Sleep in your makeup:

Even non-comedogenic beauty products like makeup can cause acne if you sleep in it. Without exception, you need to clean off all your makeup before you go to bed. If you’re too tired to wash your face, use a makeup remover towel or wipe. Just make sure that it’s a non-comedogenic towel or product.

• Pop the breakouts:

When you pop or squeeze acne, you’re likely to push some of what’s inside (e.g., pus, dead skin cells, or bacteria) deeper into your skin. When this happens, you can increase inflammation. Leading to more noticeable acne and sometimes scarring and pain. No matter what, resist the temptation to pop or squeeze acne. You want to treat your acne with acne medication. If you have deep or painful acne, seeing a dermatologist is your best move.

Natural Skincare Routine For Acne-Prone Skin

It’s common to link oily skin to acne since excess oil is a known contributor to breakouts. Since acne occurs when pores become clogged and inflammation follows, treating acne should include careful cleansing and just enough oils. Yes, your skin still needs oils but not too much, and not from comedogenic products.

Whether you have acne-prone skin or your skin is currently going through an acne episode, your skincare routine is a key factor in determining how your skin fares in the coming weeks or months. Here’s a skincare routine to help you:

• Step 1: Cleanser – Both in the morning and at night, use a cleansing product like the Kanda Neem soap and the Mint soap to properly remove all of the dirt and grime on the surface of your skin, it will help keep pores unclogged.
• Step 2: Toner – Use a toner to get rid of excess oil that may contribute to breakouts. The Kanda Revitalising Facial Toner was formulated to be gentle on acne-prone skin.
• Step 3: Serum – Depending on the extent of severity of your breakouts, you might need to visit your dermatologist for some topical treatments. Most of these topical treatments come in the form of serums and this is the best time to apply them so that they have a clean base to absorb into your skin.
• Step 4: Moisturiser – Whether your breakouts leave your skin dry or oily, a moisturiser will keep your skin hydrated. The Kanda Mango Balm contains Vitamins A, C, and E to nourish, moisturise, and soften the skin while also protecting it against sun damage. The texture and ingredients of the balm won’t clog pores, making it the best for ultra hydration that your skin desperately needs at this time.
• Step 5: Eye Cream – This is an optional step but a good eye cream can help you push extra hydration to the skin around your eyes.
• Step 6: Sunscreen – Some acne treatments can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Invest in protecting your skin with a broad spectrum, SPF 30 sunscreen. 

In summary, the key to treating acne-prone skin is patience. Use any recommended acne treatment for at least 1 month before considering trying a new one, and expect to wait up to 3 months before seeing a big difference. But if you’re not seeing any improvement at all? Consider switching to a new product or visiting a dermatologist for personalised advice and follow that advice exactly for the best possible outcome. With the right help, virtually everyone who has acne-prone skin can experience clearer skin.