Skincare Tips for Acne-Prone Skin | A Complete Guide

What is Acne-prone Skin?

Acne-prone skin is a skin condition in which acne breakouts become frequent and getting rid of it becomes next to impossible. To understand better, acne is caused by clogged skin pores, which can become congested with dead skin cells, oil, and environmental particulates. Sebum, an oily substance excreted from the sebaceous gland connected to each pore, can further exacerbate breakouts with overgrowth of a bacteria called P. acne. When your white blood cells attack the bacteria, all hell breaks loose on your face and it results in acne-prone skin! Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, redness, and irritation are the result.

Why do I Have Acne-prone Skin?

Some people are just more prone to acne than others, due to factors like genetics and environment. Diet can sometimes play a role, and stress can definitely ramp up the breakouts. We’re also all very familiar with how hormonal changes (like your period or pregnancy) can cause pimples to pop up (or disappear!).

How to Get Rid of Acne?

There are both “fast and as-needed solutions” as well as ones you’ll apply daily, plus general maintenance and practices you can adopt to keep your skin clear for good. Standard clinical treatments are proven to be the most effective, but there are also some home remedies you can turn to in a pinch.

Short-term Treatment for Acne-prone Skin:

In the short term, focus on treating existing breakouts and minimizing their appearance quickly. Look for acne spot treatment products that are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, to banish potential sources of the breakout. BelleCôte’s Drying Lotion, with sulfur, zinc, and camphor, makes pimples disappear practically overnight (which is what we all want!). Using a toner can help reduce redness and irritation immediately, plus instantly shrink large pores, improving the overall texture and appearance of the skin. Products like our Azelaic Toner contain clinically proven, acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and azelaic acid that help heal breakouts fast.

The Long-term Solution for Acne-prone Skin:

Cleanse properly every morning and night, always remove makeup after wearing (girl, wash your face!), and use the right products for your skin that control oil and acne. A deep-pore purifying facial cleanser can combat oil and shine and prevent future breakouts. Tou can learn more benefits of cleansers over here.

The Marine V olcanic Mud Cleanser of BelleCôte Paris is light-foaming, cooling thanks to camphor, and leaves a matte finish with zero shine. Using high-quality ingredients like marine volcanic mud also can diminish pores and blackheads; try our Black Mud Nourishing Mask with black oil and healing marine mud infused with sea minerals - it’s a facial in a jar! These ingredients help heal breakouts, exfoliate with volcanic ash, and give you a healthy glow thanks to healing black oil.

Don’t forget to be consistent with whatever high-quality products you choose - sometimes patience is required to get rid of those pimples. Don’t switch your anti-acne regimen every week, because your skin needs time to get used to new products.

Diet

Make sure nothing in your diet is affecting your skin adversely – eating a healthy diet rich in dark leafy greens, fish, red meat, eggs, vegetables and fruits, tofu, and whole grains has been shown to combat breakouts before they start. Avoiding refined grains and sugar, fast food, and dairy can also be beneficial – for both your body and your acne-prone skin! They’re high on the glycemic index and can trigger acne in some people.

Supplements

Zap zits with zinc! Though it’s ineffective topically to treat acne, taking the recommended 40mg per day has been shown to reduce inflamed blemish count. Taking a fish oil supplement is one easy way to treat your acne from the inside out. Taken consistently and over time, brewer’s yeast can decrease acne when taken orally.

Reduce Stress

Try to use calming techniques and de-stress as often as you can – this can include meditation, medication, massage, or even a nap. Learn your body’s cycles – do you always break out before big presentations or events? Or do you expect a breakout monthly before or during menstruation? This is where stress reduction, diet, and proper daily cleansing and toning can really have a big impact. Exercise can also be an effective way to regulate hormones and thus even skin tone.

Home Remedies for Acne-prone Skin

Out of your favorite products and waiting for more to arrive? You can try some easy-to-find household items that can help in the meantime (but they’re not clinically proven, so YMMV). Apple cider vinegar or witch hazel can substitute for a toner in a pinch, and tea tree oil can be an effective spot treatment when you run out of yours. Make a green tea mask at home to treat redness and irritation – you can moisturize after with pure Aloe Vera.

Travel tips from our BelleCôte esthetician: On the go and desperate for something to shrink your pimple fast? Don’t stress - pop open an Advil liquid capsule and apply.

When breakouts do pop up, use effective spot treatments (and maybe take a nap just because – it can’t hurt). If you’re looking for a dependable, effective regimen made from the finest ingredients, try ours.

BelleCôte Acne Regimen:

1. Clean with Marine Volcanic Mud Cleanser for deep pore cleansing, inflammation reduction, and healing
2. Use Azelaic Toner twice a day after cleansing
3. Put Drying Lotion (spot treatment) on problem areas with a q-tip
4. Moisturize with Marine Moisture Gel - oily skin needs a hydration boost too! Some products for acne-prone skin can over-dry your face on the surface, causing irritation.
5. Twice a week, use our Black Mud Nourishing Mask - it simultaneously heals, exfoliates, nourishes, and gives a healthy glow

KeyTakeaway?

There are more approaches to treating acne-prone skin than there are pimples on anyone’s face, but using products made from great ingredients is your safest bet, along with best practices like washing properly, and moisturizing (even if you’re oily, it could be your skin’s attempt to balance dryness by overproducing sebum), and limiting sun exposure. Once you go through all the steps – leave your skin alone! Don’t pop pimples and try to resist touching your face, which can transfer environmental impurities and bacteria.