Acne: 7 Everyday Habits to Care for Acne-Prone Skin
Don't touch, cleanse gently, moisturise, protect from the sun, choose the right make-up: 7 habits for acne-prone skin, and when to see a doctor.
Acne doesn't only affect teenagers: many adults, especially women, live with skin that shows every bit of fatigue or pressure. Everyday habits matter, as long as you choose the right ones, and sometimes do less. Here are the ones recommended by the French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie). If your skin is rather dry and itchy, also read our article on eczema.
1. Don't touch your spots
It is the hardest habit and the most important one. Squeezing, scratching or picking irritates the skin, spreads germs and makes acne worse. It can also leave scars.
2. Cleanse morning and evening, gently
A gentle dermatological gel or bar, without scrubbing. The aim is to remove excess sebum, not to strip the skin.
3. Avoid harsh products
Antiseptic, alcohol-based or very degreasing products are ineffective, irritating and sensitising. The more you attack your skin, the more it reacts.
4. Moisturise every morning
A moisturiser suited to acne-prone skin, every morning. Skin that tends to shine still needs moisture.
5. Protect yourself from the sun
A wide-brimmed hat and high-protection sunscreen. The sun can leave dark scars, especially on darker skin.
6. Choose suitable make-up
Water-based, so-called "non-comedogenic" products, and careful make-up removal every evening.
7. Don't change your diet for nothing
According to the Assurance Maladie, changing your diet does not improve acne. There is no need to deprive yourself.
For mild to moderate acne, a benzoyl peroxide gel is available over the counter in pharmacies. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor or a dermatologist if acne persists despite these habits and the treatments you have tried, if lesions are spreading, if lumps under the skin or scars appear, or if acne affects you so much that you withdraw from others.
See a doctor quickly if redness spreads around a spot, with or without fever. In women, also mention it if acne comes with irregular periods or unusual hair growth.
A self-care appointment, designed for skin that reacts to stress
Stress, fatigue, short nights: the skin is often the first to show it. I designed the Skincare & serenity listening programme for people with acne-prone skin that reacts to stress, alongside their usual care: 36 minutes lying down, neck supported, face relaxed, after your evening skincare routine, one session every 10 days over 45 days. It does not treat acne and does not replace the advice of your doctor or dermatologist. To discover the method, the first session of the Anti-Stress programme is free.
Éric Rosati, osteopath with 30 years of experience. This article is for information and does not replace your doctor's advice.
Sources (in French): Assurance Maladie, Acne: what to do and when to see a doctor
🎧 Recommended programme: Skincare & serenity · acne
To listen to with headphones, in a quiet place, at your own pace.