How to Know What Products to Use for Acne at Home

There are so many different products on the market for acne skin. All promising great results. However, with acne you need to be knowledgeable about what is in the product and not just purchase it because of the name. Using the correct products is the first step to having healthier skin.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 
    

   CLEANSERS:
   
   The bases of most of the washes is water and a mild to aggressive detergent. These are surfactants that help remove excess oil from the skin's surface which helps the oil to not clog the pores.
   Examples of detergents:
   1. sodium lauryl sulfate- moderate strength
   2. ammonium lauryl sulfate- strong for very oily or acne skin
   3. disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate- a milder detergent used for more sensitive skin and is less drying.
   
   Medicate cleansers:
   Acne medications such as benzoyl peroxide, sulfur-resorcrinol and salicylic acid are sometimes added to these detergent bases.
   These are considerably more active than regular cosmetic detergent cleansers.
   Exfoliating cleansers:
   The medicated cleanser sometimes will have small bead-like granules like ground nuts, seeds or hulls. They help to remove dead surface cells and they help the detergents and medications penetrate the skin surface more effectively.
   These types of cleansers are recommended for oiliest and thickest skin type. Never use these on sensitive thin skin.
   
   Cleansing milks: Generally only used for removing make-up for acne skin.
   After using this product it should be followed by a mild detergent cleanser to remove any residue of the milk cleanser.
   If you are going to use cleansing milks it is best to use them at night.

2. 
    

   ASTRIGENTS AND TONERS:
   
   Recommended for acne skin types after cleansing. They help control surface oils and lowering the Ph of the skin after cleansing. They also help to remove any cleanser that may have been left on the skin.
   They are water-based with astringent agents such as witch hazel, alcohol,
   lemon extract or citric acid.
   Some are made with antiseptics and salicylic acid to help exfoliate the skin. Those toners made with these types of drying agents should not be used on sensitive skin.

3. 
    

   DAY TREATMENTS:
   
   There are two types of day treatments that are used for the acne prone skin.
   1. A light keratolytic cream(helps to loosen dead cells)containing a mild drying agent such as sulphur.
   2. An alcohol and water lotion that may contain other keratolytic agents.
   creams are usually preferred by older people and lotions for younger ones such as teens.
   
   Along with these day treatments it is suggested to use a light moisturizer to combat the drying and peeling effects from the day treatments.
   An oil free moisturizer is one that does not contain fats or oils.
   If a moisturizer is needed it should be one that is light enough in weight that it is comfortable for oily skin. If you spend a lot of time in the sun always use one with a SPF in it.

4. NIGHT TREATMENTS:
   
   Night treatments are usually in gel or cream form. They contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, resurcinol or glycolic acid. They also contain peeling agents which is beneficial to acne skin, they help to remove cell buildup.
   Hydrating fluids are in the treatments to help combat the flaking caused by the medicated gels. These hydrating fluids are very light and work very well for the acne and for colder seasons.

5. 
    

   MASKS FOR ACNE:
   
   Mask for acne skin is usually clay called bentunite. The clay has excellent oil-absorbing qualities. Masks for acne are usually medicated, containing benzyol peroxide, sulfur or sulfurated lime.
   These masks come in different strengths. For sensitive skin they contain camphor it is gentle and less drying.
   Some masks may even contain granules such as pumice to help exfoliate during application and removal.
   Mask should remain on the skin for about 15-30 minutes after nighttime cleansing. After the mask is dry, remove it by using a warm wet cloth, lay cloth on the face and let it set for a minute or two to loosen the mask and then gently with the clothe begin to remove the mask.
   Then apply your toner and then night treatment.
   Use masks 2-3 times a week depending on how oily skin is.

6. 
    

   SALON TREATMENTS FOR ACNE SKIN:
   
   If you experience a lot of blackheads(comedones)or clogged pores and your home treatments aren't taking care of them, than maybe a salon treatment is needed.
   You might find that sometimes a treatment might be needed every month or two during the beginning stages or when all else you tried has failed.
   The professional esthetician is trained in extracting and treating acne.
   I truly believe that a visit to the salon is worth it's weight in gold.
   Yes it may be costly but as I have mentioned before, beauty schools do a wonderful facial and are being trained to treat the acne skin client.
   I would think that it would be far cheaper for a visit to a salon or school once a month than to wait to long and than need a visit to the dermatologist. But that's just my opinion.

Tips & Warnings

• Know what the ingredients that are in facial products.
• Be committed to your skin care routine
• Purchasing the most expensive product is not always the best product
• follow directions on the label
• Do not over use facial masks
• use SPF products
• Never try to extract acne it will aid in scaring your skin

[sunshine11219]

on 3/19/2009 good information