Dermatologist recommended: the best skincare for acne.
Welcome to the newest West Dermatology blog series, where we showcase products and treatments hand-picked by our expert dermatologists to address common skin conditions. This month we’re talking about the best skincare for acne.
Oh, acne. Is there anything more confusing and frustrating than an acne breakout? Those pesky pimples can be triggered by many things: hormonal changes, pore-clogging makeup, stress, family history, or an ineffective skincare plan. While each acne breakout is specific to individual needs, concerns and skin triggers, a proper treatment plan is key.
The overall goals of your skincare plan should be proper exfoliation, the use of AHA + BHA (excellent at fighting acne without being too drying), and hydration. Contrary to popular belief, it is important to hydrate acne prone skin. In fact, studies show that this is a key step in acne management – it just requires a product that’s oil-free and non-comedogenic.
Whether you’ve been struggling with acne for years, are looking to control acne breakouts for back-to-school, or 2020 has brought on bouts of maskne, we offer a broad array of skincare products and effective treatments that can help. Here are some of our proven favourites.
ZO® Skin Health Getting Skin Ready® Regimen
The ZO® Skin Health line offers well-researched products that really work. The Getting Skin Ready® regimen for acne includes a ZO Exfoliating or Gentle Cleanser, a Dual Action Scrub, and Oil Control Pads. This trio of products thoroughly cleanses the skin, exfoliates and pH-balances the skin, ensuring that any product you apply subsequently will penetrate even better. These steps are critical for good results.
The active ingredients in each of these unique products simultaneously treat blemishes and prevent future breakouts without over-drying the skin. This ready-made regimen is a great starting point for anyone looking to start regularly caring for their skin.
ZO® Skin Health Exfoliation Accelerator
This product is Dr. Sutton’s favourite for a reason. A combination of glycolic and lactic acids, this powerhouse provides gentle, yet effective exfoliation of dead skin cells while providing calming and soothing benefits with an aloe, green tea and chamomile blend.
ZO® Skin Health Wrinkle + Texture Repair
For many acne sufferers, a retinol or retinoid is a must-have skincare ingredient. Known for its anti-aging benefits, retinol can also help prevent and treat acne breakouts. Dr. Sutton loves Wrinkle + Texture Repair for its ability to reactivate the process of skin renewal while restoring natural hydration. This product is best for nighttime use, applied to clean, dry skin. Wrinkle + Texture Repair is a great retinol for those who are new to retinols or very sensitive. Prescription strength retinoids are also an option.
ZO® Skin Health Daily Power Defense
This powerful serum provides antioxidant protection to combat the appearance of free radical damage while improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The best part? It’s so lightweight that it glides on without clogging pores and causing acne breakouts.
Chemical Peels
Regular chemical peels are a great way to jumpstart your acne skincare routine. This popular treatment causes the superficial layers of skin to shed so that your skin is completely renewed. Every chemical peel can be customized to your unique skin type to effectively address acne and other concerns.
Elta MD® UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
If you struggle with acne, this is the sunscreen for you. Lightweight and oil-free, UV Clear contains niacinamide (vitamin B3), hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid, to effectively protect against UVA and UVB rays while simultaneously providing moisture to your skin. This product works beautifully under makeup or on its own—and don’t worry, it won’t leave a greasy residue!
As a final step, don’t forget about mineral makeup. Think of makeup as an extension of your skincare routine.
If you’re struggling with acne, our team can work with you to get to the root cause and build an effective, specialized treatment plan that works for you. Get in touch today!