Looking for a skincare routine to help clear your skin? These are the steps you need to take if you have acne-prone skin.
Our skin can play a big factor in our self-esteem and confidence(I know how it feels). Acne is fairly common, especially amongst teenagers, but its effects can be major. That’s why I’m giving you all the steps you need to have in your skincare routine for clear skin.
You are going to learn the order you need to apply your skincare products, what types of skincare products you need to have, and my personal recommendations.
After reading this blog post, you’re going to be equipped with the information you need to clear up your skin and say goodbye to acne!
This post is about the skincare routine people struggling with acne need to follow.
The Best Skincare Routine For Acne:
1. Makeup Remover
Honestly, a big cause of acne is makeup. Improper removal of makeup can clog your pores, which leads to more breakouts.
So while I’d suggest to avoid makeup for the most part, I know that’s pretty unrealistic. Therefore, if you’re going to wear makeup, make to sure to remove it completely every night.
Even if you’re about to drop dead and fall asleep, taking that extra minute to remove your makeup will ward off those unwanted breakouts.
My personal favorite to get all your makeup off:
This oat cleansing balm by The Inkey List is seriously so amazing. With a thick, creamy consistency, it soothes your skin and removes 100% of your makeup, sweat and grime.
Trust me, having a good makeup remover is key to a good skincare routine for acne.
2. Cleanser
I subscribe to the two step makeup/cleansing process: you start off with a cleansing balm or micellar water to get the majority of your makeup off, then you follow up with a cleanser to get the remaining bits off. That’s why it’s essential to have a good cleanser in a skincare routine.
If you have acne-prone skin, you’ll need a cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin, but still gets rid of excess oil(personally, a lot of my acne is caused by oily skin and clogged pores).
A cheap product that gets the job done:
I don’t think that you need to spend a fortune on a cleanser(I mean, it’s on your face for like 15 seconds). Instead, it’s wiser to invest in leave-on products like serums and exfoliators.
This cleanser is budget friendly and seriously effective: formulated with niacinamide and ceramides, it cleans your skin without stripping it of its natural moisture.
3. Mask
This is an extra step that you don’t need to have in your routine. However, having a product that targets a specific skincare concerns can be pretty darn useful.
A mask that I’ve been eyeing for a while:
Even when you come to the point where you don’t get as many breakouts anymore, you might be left with acne scarring. That’s why it’s important to focus on that aspect of acne as well.
This mask is formulated with kaolin clay and glycerin, which is the perfect combo to help reduce the appearance of scars and overall improve the tone and texture of your skin.
4. Exfoliator
Exfoliation is absolutely essential in a skincare routine, regardless of skin type. If you have acne prone skin, then exfoliation will help reduce breakouts by unclogging pores and reducing the appearance of acne scarring.
One of the best-selling exfoliators on the market:
This product has blown up on the internet for very good reason: formulated with 2% BHA, this liquid exfoliant helps to unclog pores, reduce breakouts, and minimize acne scarring.
PRO TIP: exfoliating can cause your skin to become more sensitive to the Sun(also, not everyone can handle exfoliating twice a day. That’s why I recommend starting off by exfoliating a couple nights a week, then bump it up to exfoliating nightly. Use your night routine to address your main skin concerns.
5. Moisturizer
This is the one skincare step that most of us never skip. Moisturizing is one of the essential skincare routine steps that you need to incorporate daily.
And I’m not talking about the beloved Bath and Body moisturizers(especially not for your face). Those are packed with fragrance and ineffective ingredients for expensive prices.
An alternative that works and doesn’t break the bank:
This is the moisturizer I’ve been using for some time, and it’s honestly amazing. It has niacinamide and ceramides that help to hydrate the skin without smothering it.
It’s the best moisturizer I’ve ever tried: hydrating but lightweight. You can also find it listed on my product recommendations page, where I share my favorite beauty products!
6. Sunscreen
I’m probably going to say for forever: sunscreen is a must have in your skincare routine!!! You can have the absolute best exfoliator, cleanser and moisturizer, but if you don’t have sunscreen, there’s literally no point.
A sunscreen for all:
Sunscreen can be a tricky product to shop for, especially for people of color and people with oily skin. This sunscreen is dry touch and doesn’t have a white cast, so you don’t have to worry about your sunscreen looking funky.
On top of that, this is one of the most affordable sunscreens on the market. If you want to learn what type of sunscreen you need, then my sunscreen guide talking about all things SPF is your next must-read!
BONUS! For sunscreen touch ups(which you need to be doing every two hours), this is the product you need:
This powder helps to mattify the skin and keep it protected from the sun…plus it’s super affordable on Target!
7. Spot Treatment
And last but definitely not least, spot treatment(woohoo soooo exciting 😉 )!
Breakouts will probably show themselves every now and then even if you have a solid skincare routine. But, having a handy spot treatment can help reduce their damage.
Pricy but amazing:
Even though this is pretty expensive, you only use a little at a time, and it works sooo well! Clinique has been known for its anit-acne products for a while, and this product proves why.