[SKIN TRUTH] Five guidelines to applying base makeup on acne-prone skin

Tips for taking care of or applying makeup on acne-prone skin tend to be frustratingly oversimplified. To be fair, it’s difficult to come up with effective solutions for acne-prone skin because acne is rarely improved with a one-stop solution, and instead requires daily lifestyle changes for gradual improvement. If acne is a concern for you, consider changing your daily makeup routine to enact positive changes in your skin. 

# the proper face wash routine

There’s a lot of advice directed at people with acne-prone skin that emphasizes washing your face often and with soap in order to fully remove all sebum. Unfortunately, these methods often only exacerbate the problem. Sebum actually prevents moisture loss, so excessive face washing can actually eliminate sebum altogether, disrupting the skin’s natural balance.

# matching the skin’s natural pH

Healthy skin normally maintains a low level of acidity. Using an alkaline facewash makes the skin’s pH level slightly less acidic, and the proliferation of dangerous bacteria that may cause infection is largely prohibited. On the other hand, using a soap-based facewash changes the skin’s pH to an alkaline level, which can cause secondary infection and worsen acne or skin trouble.Thus it’s recommended to use a facewash product with weak acidity whenever possible. 

# exfoliation and management

If pore openings are in a clogged state, sebum can’t be excreted properly and the breeding of acne-inducting bacteria (P.acne) becomes stronger. It is thus necessary to clear clogged pores and exfoliation is one effective solution. For instance, the reason acne improves so drastically after a skin scaling performed by a dermatologist is because the procedure works to open clogged pores. If you wear makeup everyday, it’s important to completely remove all traces of makeup from your pores, and if you applied thicker makeup, washing your face twice is a good habit to adopt.

# sebum control

Acne-inducing bacteria P.acne breaks down and absorbs sebum to multiply, so theoretically if sebum is eliminated, acne can’t exist either. Taking this idea into consideration, it’s helpful to use daily skincare products that contain sebum control ingredients to limit the amount of sebum present in the skin. 

# using products with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients

Even after eliminating acne, the pigmentation or scarring that remains on the skin is a common cause for concern. Using anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial products that inhibit the growth of acne-inducting bacteria and calm down inflammatory reactions can prevent the development of scarring or pigmentation after acne has been eliminated. 

The first step is half the journey. Using these guidelines, the next step is to establish a healthy skincare routine and consistently maintain it.