HOW SHOULD I EXFOLIATE MY SKIN IF I HAVE ACNE?

If you're a skincare fanatic, you've probably heard of exfoliation and may have even used it in your routine. Exfoliation is the treatment of choice for those who are fascinated about having a clear, acne-free complexion. Read below as the article discuss exfoliation tips for people with acne-prone skin.

Investing in a skin care regimen is a great way to boost your self-esteem because looking great helps you feel good. Also, many people believe that caring for their skin is excessive and ignore it. Our faces are exposed to various daily substances, including the sun, filth, and bacteria. As a result, making time in the morning and evening to pamper your skin is a great way to keep it healthy. Taking care of your skin includes cleaning, using a good moisturizer, exfoliating, and applying a liberal amount of sunscreen to protect your face from harmful UV rays.

Defining Exfoliation

Exfoliation is an important part of any skincare routine since it aids in the removal of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. If you want smooth, radiant skin, you should use an exfoliator. Schulz et al. (2018) explained that when your skin is clogged with dead cells, it takes on a dreary appearance that detracts from its natural radiance. However, there's more to exfoliation than meets the eye; it's about more than just removing dead skin cells from the surface. Before you exfoliate your skin, consider your skin type to get products that are right for you. Using the wrong products might cause acne and dry your skin in the worst-case scenario.

Defining Acne-Prone Skin

Acne is the most common skin disorder. Acne-prone skin, whether minor or severe, is a constant source of discomfort, especially if you don't know how to deal with it. Acne can become aggressive if left untreated, thus making treatment difficult. Acne sufferers frequently comb through store shelves, searching for skin treatment products such as face scrubs, chemical peels, and exfoliants that promise clear, glowing skin. Bhadra, (2020), before purchasing any remedies to treat acne, you must first understand what causes it. There are a ton of factors that cause acne;

• Dirt, natural oils, debris, and dirt accumulation on the skin surface. If left for too long, they can clog your pores and cause an acne breakout.
• Medications, diet, and using cheap skin care products
• Hormones, especially in adolescents and teens. During puberty, the body produces testosterone that makes the sebaceous glands produce tons of sebum, overproducing more sebum than is needed.
• Face masks have also been reported to be one of the major causes of acne. The friction on the surface of the skin thus causes irritation and hydration.

Exfoliating Acne-Prone Skin

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin. Mohiuddin (2019) explained that regularly exfoliating acne-prone skin would remove any debris accumulated on the skin's surface. Exfoliating also helps to clear pores, which reduces breakouts significantly. Not all exfoliating tools and products are suitable for acne-prone skin. Before you buy anything, select products that are gentle on your face. If you don't, your acne may worsen, and your skin will be permanently damaged in the worst-case scenario.

Know Your Acne

Before rushing to the store to purchase your preferred exfoliant, you should know your type and stage of acne. There are two types of acne; noninflammatory and inflammatory.

Inflammatory

Syal et al. (2020) explained that inflammatory acne is anything on the skin's surface that has a distinct form or shape, such as nodules, cysts, papules, or pustules. Pustules are tiny pus-filled lumps that arise from papules. Cysts and nodules are the most painful type of acne because they form deeper in the skin.

Noninflammatory

This acne results from clogged pores that may appear as white or blackheads. Noninflammatory acne is easy to spot because it doesn't manifest as cysts or nodules, and it's frequently simple to treat if you use the appropriate products.

Choosing The Right Exfoliant

There are two types of exfoliants available; physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants include products that have abrasive ingredients like face scrubs and cloths. If you have acne-prone skin, you should avoid physical exfoliants because the friction can scar your already inflamed skin. Regarding acne-prone skin, dermatologists advise using chemical exfoliants because they penetrate deeper into the skin than physical exfoliants. Glycolic acid is a recommended chemical exfoliator because it smooths out and clarifies the skin. If you suffer from mild acne, blackheads, and whiteheads, you should try products enhanced with retinoids.

Retinoids, which are sourced from Vitamin A, are a game-changer in terms of skincare. Weaker versions are accessible in drug and retail shops. Retinoids are the greatest anti-aging products to invest in because they help to enhance immunity. Retinoids in high concentrations are used to treat severe acne-like psoriasis and pigmentation problems. Sometimes, though not often, retinoids can be used to treat certain variations of cancer. Before using any product on your skin, you should perform a patch test to see if the product will cause an allergic reaction. Once you've determined that the product is safe, start with a pea-sized amount and gradually increase as your skin becomes accustomed to it. Before you exfoliate, make sure your skin is clean. Use a mild cleanser on your skin first so that the exfoliant may absorb into the pores and remove any oils or dirt that has gathered on the surface.

Conclusion

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface using exfoliating products. There are two types of exfoliation products; chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliants contain active substances such as beta and alpha-hydroxy acids. When choosing an exfoliant, ensure it's the right one for your skin type. Using the improper exfoliant can damage your skin barrier and create acne breakouts. Also, if you want to start exfoliating your skin but aren't sure where to begin, following the steps outlined above will ensure you get the desired results.

References

Bhadra, P. (2020). A Literature Review Online Due to Hormonal Changes and Lifestyle.

Mohiuddin, A. K. (2019). Skin Care Creams: Formulation and Use. Dermatol Clin Res, 5(1), 238-271.

Schulz, O., Hanč, P., Böttcher, J. P., Hoogeboom, R., Diebold, S. S., Tolar, P., & e Sousa, C. R. (2018). Myosin II synergizes with F-actin to promote DNGR-1-dependent cross-presentation of dead cell-associated antigens. Cell reports, 24(2), 419-428.

Syal, S., Pandit, V., & Ashawat, M. S. (2020). Traditional herbs to treat acne vulgaris. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 10(3), 195-201.