3 Ways to Exfoliate Your Skin and Treat Acne

Acne is a common skin disease characterized by whiteheads, blackheads and inflamed pimples. It occurs in men and women of all ages and most often begins in adolescence. It can affect all parts of the body, but it is most often found on the face, neck, shoulders and back.

Gentle skin exfoliants can be used as great Home Remedies For Acne breakouts. Fine-grained physical exfoliants, as well as chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), can be used to gently cleanse pores and relieve acne symptoms.

You can also check IPL photofacial for acne scars as a treatment option for more stubborn cases. IPL photofacial, also known as intense pulsed light therapy, is a non-invasive procedure that uses broad-spectrum light to target and reduce the appearance of acne scars.

How Exfoliation Improves Acne

Acne occurs when dead skin cells, sebaceous oils and debris clog pores, creating plugs known as comedones. Bacteria can also contribute to this process, causing inflamed, sore acne lesions. Cystic acne occurs when acne lesions form beneath the surface of the skin.

In people who are prone to acne, the skin doesn’t shed its dead cells in the normal fashion. As a result, these cells tend to build up on the skin’s surface, where they clog pores and contribute to acne breakouts. Regular exfoliation removes dead cells from the skin’s surface, helping to keep pores clear and acne at bay.

Physical Exfoliation for Acne

Physical exfoliation relies on the use of a gritty substance to scrub away dead cells from the skin’s surface. Skin cleansers use a number of different physical exfoliants, such as ground apricot seeds or walnut shells, coffee, sugar and salt.

If you’re looking for an exfoliating cleanser to help treat acne symptoms, choose a cleanser that uses fine granules, like microbeads. A harsh physical exfoliating agent could irritate your already-inflamed skin, causing further pain, damage and scarring. Look for a non-comedogenic cleanser that won’t further clog your pores.

Acne Exfoliation With Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Alpha-hydroxy acids, commonly known as AHAs, are chemical exfoliants that work by dissolving the upper layer of your skin. Don’t worry — the concentrations of AHAs found in over-the-counter skin cleansers are so weak that you won’t feel any pain or discomfort when applying them. It’ll be just like using regular soap.

There are two main types of AHAs used in exfoliating scrubs: glycolic acid and lactic acid. Glycolic acid is made from citrus fruits. Lactic acid is derived from milk. Both of these acids gently dissolve the upper layers of the skin to keep dead cells from clogging your pores. They also penetrate deep into your pores to help flush out existing clogs and keep your skin clear.

Alpha-hydroxy-acid cleansers are a good exfoliation treatment for both regular and cystic acne, but they make your skin sensitive to sunlight. The area will be more prone to sunburn. Wear sunblock during the day to protect yourself.

Beta Hydroxy Acids for Acne Exfoliation

The most popular beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA, for acne exfoliation is salicylic acid, and it’s found in a wide range of over-the-counter acne cleansers, creams and lotions. Salicylic acid is derived from willow bark. It’s chemically similar to acetyclsalicylic acid, the main ingredient in aspirin, so don’t use it if you’re allergic to aspirin or pregnant.

Salicylic acid is extremely effective at penetrating pores to flush them out and reduce acne symptoms. It’s also a great way to regularly exfoliate surface skin to keep pores clear. In addition to its pore-cleansing abilities, salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce acne-associated inflammation. It also kills bacteria on the skin to prevent acne-related infections.

How to Exfoliate

Once you’ve chosen an exfoliating cleanser, using it is simple enough. Apply the cleanser with your hands; never scrub your face with a washcloth, as that will only make it more irritated and inflamed. If you’re using a gritty physical exfoliating cleanser, rub it around in your hands to make sure the grit is evenly distributed before applying it to your face.

Apply the cleanser gently and evenly to your skin and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Pat your skin dry with a towel. Do not use an exfoliating cleanser if it causes further irritation or discomfort; if your skin is very inflamed to begin with, wait for it to heal before exfoliating.

Don’t use multiple exfoliating agents in tandem. If you’re already using a prescription acne treatment, consult your dermatologist before adding an exfoliating cleanser to the mix. If you’re experiencing severe acne symptoms and you haven’t yet seen a doctor, do so; prescription cleansers can help improve your symptoms far more than over-the-counter ones.

Exfoliating cleansers are a great option for treating and preventing mild to moderate acne. Physical exfoliators contain microbeads or other gritty substances. Chemical exfoliators work by removing the topmost layer of skin. Either way, these cleansers help treat acne by removing the dead skin cells that might otherwise clog pores.

About the Author: Lindsay Tosto has worked with Maybelline New York, Smashbox Cosmetics, Urban Decay Cosmetics and Sephora. She is more than a makeup artist — she’s an artist who looks at the face as a canvas.