1. Kill bacteria. Bacteria causes acne. This is why it is so important to wash your face daily. Antibacterial agent benzoyl peroxide is a dermatologist favorite in killing acne causing bacteria. It is also known to be the among the most effective and is the primary active ingredient in many acne fighting cleansers. Among the most repeated skincare advice is, "Don't touch your face!" And it's true. Touching doorknobs, shaking hands, and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze (which is still recommended!) are only a few of the sources of bacteria on your hands. Plus, bacteria reproduce every 20 minutes! This is why it is also important to wash your hands with a gentle antibacterial soap several times a day for your personal health and also before you wash your face with your acne fighting cleanser to ensure you don't transfer any bacteria to your face.
2. Remove oil. Your body naturally produces oil (sebum) in order to protect your skin, but sometimes it produces more oil than needed. This excess oil, in combination with using oily skincare products can clog pores and cause acne. A good cleanser and/or toner will eliminate this excess oil. Also, only use oil free products on your skin. Make sure your makeup, moisturizer, and sunscreen are all oil free so you can avoid any potential problems.
3. Moisturize. Many skincare products that remove acne are effective because they dry the skin by removing excess oil, or they encourage the shedding of dead skin cells. Either way, this leaves the remaining top layer of skin on your face vulnerable and dry. It is critical to maintain and restore moisture to your face. Many people are afraid of applying a moisturizer to their faces after using acne treatment products. Isn't that counter productive? Won't that clog my pores? I thought the acne products work by drying my skin because it was too oily? Just be sure to use a moisturizer that is oil free and non comedogenic. This will ensure that it will not clog your pores and negate your efforts to get rid of acne.
4. Tone. Some argue that this step is optional. Using a toner on your face will help to eliminate any additional sweat, dirt, or even residual cleanser from your face after washing. Toners also help diminish the look of pores. With repeated use, you will start to notice tighter, smaller pores, giving your face a smoother, more polished look.
5. Exfoliate. Exfoliation is the process of using either a chemical or physical ingredient to gently remove the top layer of skin. It sounds harsh and abrasive, but it only has to be as harsh and abrasive as the product you choose to use. Exfoliation is actually a critical step in getting clear skin because it eliminates dead skin cells that can become trapped in your pores and cause skin inflammation--thus, acne. Dead skin cells often mix with oil to clog follicles and pores on your face and the result is acne. Harsh exfoliation is not advised for whiteheads, but it is a top method used to get rid of blackheads, especially blackheads on the nose. As mentioned earlier, there are two types of exfoliants: chemical and physical. One of the most popular chemical exfoliants is glycolic acid. Physical exfoliants are items like scrubs, that use tiny microbeads or grainy particles to gently scrub away dead skin. Both chemical and physical exfoliants will do the trick.
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