Have you been looking for ways to treat acne at home?
Acne is something that we have all struggled with at one point or another. It is also highly challenging not to let acne define us. Acne shouldn’t affect our self-confidence.
Thankfully, it is treatable, and it is temporary no matter how many years you have been dealing with it or how long it takes to disappear. The good news is that there are numerous ways to treat acne at home.
There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on seeing a dermatologist until you have exhausted various methods of treating acne at home. You will be surprised what superhero products and ingredients can improve your skin.
While it is recommended to see a dermatologist for serious skin conditions or acne, it may not be an accessible option. That’s why treating acne at home can be life-changing.
What can be used at home to treat acne? Surprisingly enough, you can find all kinds of high-quality ingredients and products right at your local drugstore. There are even endless affordable options online.
What Products Can Treat Acne?
BHAs
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) are an exfoliant that can reduce acne, discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles. According to the FDA, “BHA ingredients may be listed as tropic acid, or trethocanic acid, among others.”
The most familiar BHA to the general public is Salicylic Acid, which is also the most familiar ingredient you may have seen on the labels of acne products.
A lot of acne products on the market contain Salicylic Acid. Proactiv and Paula’s Choice are among the most popular brands that cater to acne-prone skin. Check out Pierre Michel Beauty for more details on these brands and help to find the best treatment for acne.
BHAs are great to treat acne at home because they go beyond the skin’s surface to exfoliate. They can unclog pores, treat blackheads, and even reduce excess oil. Perfect for anyone who has acne-prone skin.
One important thing to keep in mind when incorporating BHAs into your skincare routine is that you must wear sunscreen every day. BHAs will make you more sensitive to the sun.
The sun’s rays can increase damage to the skin if you use BHAs without sunscreen. It can also decrease the efficiency of the product. So, use your BHAs at night and apply sunscreen every morning.
Retinol
While it is recommended to see your dermatologist to see what retinoids are suitable for you, if you don’t have access to a dermatologist or if the acne is manageable, there are over-the-counter retinol options.
We all know Retinol as a secret anti-aging ingredient. However, many individuals use retinol to treat their acne. Retinol also exfoliates the skin, and they should never be mixed with BHAs or AHAs.
Retinol can reach the dermis layer of your to produce collagen. It also removes dirt, impurities, excess oil, and dead skin which all benefit in preventing acne.
Retinol is a product that can be highly irritating if not used properly. It’s always best to start with a low dosage and implement retinol into your routine 2-3 times a week.
Just like BHAs, Retinol can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. The sun can also break down the effectiveness of Retinol if you do not apply and reapply sunscreen every day.
Retinol should only be used at night. You can find affordable Retinol options from The Ordinary and The Inkey List.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the number one way to keep your skin beautiful and healthy. I know what you may be thinking, what does sunscreen have to do with treating acne? Well, for starters, your skincare routine will be effective.
If you use a BHA or Retinol, you will not see any results from these products. The sun can break down the efficiency of both BHAs or Retinoids if you are not wearing sun protection.
In addition, if you don’t wear sunscreen but do use a BHA or a Retinol, you are putting your skin at risk of becoming even more irritated, uncomfortable, red, dry, and itchy.
Sunscreen will also prevent discoloration and dark spots. If you struggle with discoloration, sunscreen will be your best friend at treating these leftover acne scars or marks.
It would be best if you were protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays at all times, whether you use acne products or not. Sunscreen will also prevent skin cancer and premature aging.
Shop these picks from La Roche Posay and Cocokind if you are looking for an accessible sunscreen to throw into your skincare routine at home.
3 Ways To Treat Acne At Home is a feature post
