It may seem simple, but two thirds of acne prone skin care is no different than it would be for skin that wasn’t prone to acne. In fact, if you are prone to acne, you may find that if you start to develop good skin care habits your acne will clear up in a few months. These “revolutionary” secrets are cleanliness and moisture.

Cleanliness

When practicing acne prone skin care, there is no substitute for clean skin. A lot of people with acne problems will assume that their face can’t be clean and will not devote the proper time and attention to making sure it is. Wash your face with a washcloth and mild cleanser consistently, but not excessively. Excessive or aggressive washing can strip your skin of the natural oils it needs and can actually contribute to your acne problem. Try a few cleansers before settling on one.

Cleanliness should not be confined to washing your body. Make sure that everything you come in contact with on a regular basis is clean. This includes your bedding, any garments that may touch your face, and even your hair. If you use hair products, try to keep them out of your face as the ingredients may impede your goal for clearer skin.

Moisture

The next step in acne prone skin care is moisture. After you’re sure your skin is clean, apply a light, oil-free moisturizer. Moisturizers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so you may want to test out a moisturizer on a small patch of concealed skin before deciding to stick with it. If your skin becomes red or irritated, try a new product. If cleanliness and moisture don’t do the trick within a few months, you almost certainly have a more intense acne problem and will have to make use of the third part of an acne prone skin care regime.

Medical Treatment

There are a variety of over-the-counter treatments for acne, most of which include the active ingredients benzyl peroxide, salicylic acid, zinc, or sulfur. Like your moisturizer, try each treatment on a small patch of acne-infected skin before making a final decision. Just because it works wonders for your friend doesn’t mean it will do you any bit of good.

Acne prone skin care can be a long process, but if you have tried a variety of over-the-counter medications for periods of 6 to 8 weeks without success, you should consult a doctor or dermatologist. Many people don’t know that acne is a problem that can be medicated through prescription drugs, usually steroids. Don’t let acne be a defining part of your life; take the necessary steps to be rid of it.