If you experience acne, you’ve probably already heard a thing or two about treating spots and preventing breakouts. It’s helpful to know how to reach your long-term skin goals, but how do you deal with those days when acne is simply causing you discomfort? How do you soothe spots that are sore, or irritated? Don’t worry — we’re here to help.

From staying moisturised to being patient with your skincare, these are small daily habits that can make your path to clearer skin more comfortable.   

       1. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! 

Dehydrated skin is a leading cause of inflammation and discomfort. And, when our skin is thirsty, it can indicate that our skin barrier is damaged and not able to protect our skin from external aggressors like pollution, UV rays and stress. For optimum skin barrier health, you need to restore any lost moisture and hydrate. Look for products with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, as these powerhouse ingredients can help to absorb water, and (crucially) keep hold of it — keeping skin hydrated, for longer. Our lightweight Recovery Moisturiser is fast-absorbing and contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help protect your barrier and keep skin happy.

       2. Don’t over-exfoliate 

Using abrasive physical scrubs may feel satisfying, but they can cause microtears to the skin’s surface, allowing more acne-causing bacteria to sneak in. Instead, try using a leave-on chemical exfoliant with AHAs a couple of times a week to gently dissolve pore-clogging dead skin cells. Important: If you experience any irritation, stop using your exfoliant, and always make sure it’s compatible with your Dermatica formula or other actives in your routine.

       3. Stop, don’t pop

We’ve all been there — sometimes the urge to squeeze a pimple is just too much to resist! But every time you prod or pick a spot, the skin around it becomes angrier and more inflamed, with an increased risk of scarring. This can lead to new spots and increase your skin’s recovery time. Try to leave your spots alone and let your skincare do the hard work for you. 

       4. Be summer skin smart

Acne loves hot, humid weather, so it’s important to take extra care to prevent summer breakouts. Regular SPF application not only protects skin from harmful rays but can help reduce redness and irritation, too. For more advice on looking after acne-prone skin during the warmer months, why not check out our summer acne blog?

       5. Use lukewarm water

Washing your face with water that’s too hot can cause redness and dehydration. That’s why we recommend completing your face cleansing routine outside of the shower, as this water is typically too hot to cleanse with. When in doubt, keep water at a tepid temperature to help take care of your skin’s health. 

       6. Patience is key

You may find that with some acne treatments, including retinoids, you don’t see results for the first eight to twelve weeks. Don’t give up though! It’s important to stay consistent with your skincare routine for your active ingredients to take effect, and it’s definitely worth the wait. See what others think.

The key to soothing inflamed, acne-prone skin is to be gentle and consistent with your routine. Keep it moisturised, protect it from the sun and be patient — it’ll calm down before you know it!

Remember, if you’re a Dermatica customer, you can speak to our dermatology team about any acne concerns, at any time. Just head to your dashboard, or contact us here.

New to Dermatica? Start a free online consultation today.