Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Choosing a Good Acne Cleanser

There are a lot of acne cleansers on the market today. Many are effective at controlling acne, while others are all smoke and mirrors. When deciding to buy a cleanser, you should read what others are doing that are working for them. Participating in acne forums, reading up on the latest acne research, and reading others reviews of acne products are all good ways to keep up with what choices are out there and which one may work for you.

Types of Acne Cleansers

A good acne cleanser will remove unwanted makeup, dirt and other things that clog up your pores and make acne breakouts an inevitability. Some cleansers use salicylic acid as their main ingredient. This chemical helps remove dead skin and encourage new cell growth. It can help keep skin smoother. Benzoyl Peroxide is another common chemical used in many acne products. You can find it in soaps or to be used with application pads. It works by drying up blemishes and killing the bacteria that causes acne. However, be aware that it can also dry out and damage your skin with overuse, so you should always use some kind of moisturizer afterwards. Natural home acne remedies are sometimes utilized when over the counter acne cleansers are too harsh for sensitive skin. Honey, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar have all shown some success in treating acne. It's simply a matter of discovering what works best for you and then using it consistently.

Popular Acne Products

Cetaphil
Simple ingredients, not loaded with chemicals.

Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash
Lathers away dirt, makeup and oils.

Lancome Clarifiance oil-Free Gel Cleanser
Leaves your skin feeling soft and not oily.

Dove Essential Nutrients Soft-Foaming Cleanser
Washes away oil and dead skin cells.

Bloom Facial Cleanser
Has essential oils.

Avon Clear Skin Foaming Cleanser
Gentle on all types of skin.

Neutrogena Pore-Refining Cleanser
Soaks up oil without drying up your skin.

DermaMed Acne Gel
Soothes skin without drying it out.

Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub
Good for makeup removal.

Clinique Acne Solutions Emergency Gel Lotion
Benzoyl Peroxide based, unclogs pores and reduces redness.

Acne Cleansing Tips

Simply using an acne cleanser will not completely control your acne problem. You will also have to develop strong cleansing habits to make sure you maximize the effectiveness of your treatment. Here are a few tips to a strong acne cleanser habit.
  • Cleanse every night before bed - Doing this will help remove any makeup, dirt or oil that could sit in your pores all night while you sleep and clog them up, leading to an acne breakout. When you cleanse your face, don't forget about your neck and behind your ears, common acne areas people sometimes miss.

  • Stop Scrubbing Your Skin - A thorough cleanse is one thing, but a serious scrubbing is not good. Do not use abbrasive scrubs or rough washcloths when cleansing. Better to use a soft cloth or even your bare hands. Too much scrubbing can irriate the skin and make acne breakouts worse.

  • Remember to use Acne Medications - Consistent acne treatment is the key to good acne control. Sometimes simply forgetting to use your products are the worse thing you can do. Try getting into the habit of using your acne products at the same time every day so it easier to remember.

  • Stop Picking at your skin - I know you want to pop that pimple before you go out with your friends, but usually that is the worse thing you can do for long-term acne control. Popping pimples can lead to more damaged skin and even acne scarring. Avoid it whenever possible.

  • See a Dermatologist - If stubborn acne persists after all of your efforts, see a doctos as soon as possible. He will have prescription acne medicines and other treatment options available that aren't available to you without his/her consent.


Generally speaking, the tougher it is to get a certain acne product, the higher chance it will be effective. This means presciption medications and treatments will tend to be more effective than over the counter cleansers. This good news is, most people can clear up their acne with a few good habits and 1 or 2 good acne products that are available everywhere. Read as much as you can on the internet about acne skin care and their acne tips, and you'll be sure to get the answers you need. Now go out there and find a good acne cleanser.

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