Daily advices
Acne is a common skin condition affecting teenagers and adults, particularly women, caused by excess sebum, dead skin cell build-up, blocked pores and bacteria. At Bioderma, we believe acne care starts with cleansing, as a suitable facial cleanser helps remove impurities while respecting the skin’s balance, supporting dermatological treatment and improving overall skin health.
Cleansing your face is an essential first step in any skincare routine. For acne-prone skin, it helps remove excess sebum, dirt, pollution, sweat and dead skin cells that can clog pores and contribute to breakouts.
Regular, gentle cleansing supports the skin’s natural balance, helping it feel clearer, healthier and less prone to blemishes. Depending on the age at which acne develops, expectations and skincare needs can vary, which is why choosing an appropriate cleanser is key for effective daily care.
There is often a stage in late childhood when early signs of acne begin to appear. Parents may bring their children to a dermatologist in the hope of preventing breakouts before they fully develop. At this stage, cleansing is a natural first step in managing acne-prone skin.
Teenagers with acne may already be using a long list of creams and treatments, which can make skincare hygiene less of a priority. Parents and dermatologists may therefore need to take time to educate and support them. A hydrating cleanser can be particularly beneficial, helping to improve acne-prone skin and soothe any effects of ongoing treatments.
Adults are often more demanding when it comes to their skincare, particularly if they have had negative experiences in the past. They commonly look for gentle, well-tolerated and more natural solutions. As adult skin can be thinner and more sensitive, a calming, soothing cleanser can make a real difference to comfort and overall skin balance.
An appropriate facial cleanser can play a critical role in preventing acne, as well as soothing skin that may be dry, dehydrated and irritated due to different acne treatments, whether local or oral. Choosing the cleanser that is right for you depends most of all on the type of acne you have, and what kind of treatment you may be taking. There’s also a certain amount of personal preference that comes into play. Cleaning your skin can be pleasant moment during your morning and nightly routine, and you want the experience you enjoy most. Often, this is determined by the type of cleanser you use: foaming cleanser, cream cleanser, oil cleanser… Foaming cleansers are popular – and now there are new balm cleansers that soothe and moisturise.
Foaming cleansers produce a lather that helps to remove excess oil and impurities, and the suds make you feel as if you’re scrubbing away your blemishes. Be careful not to scrub too hard. This may simply aggravate the irritation your skin is already feeling. Foaming cleansers may or may not include active ingredients that treat your acne.
So which cleanser do you choose? Here are three factors, beyond the texture of the product itself, to think about that can help you select the cleanser that is adapted to your skin and helps to keep it healthy.
Dry, irritated, oily, combination, dehydrated, acne-prone – ultimately it’s your skin type that has the greatest influence over the type of cleanser you choose. For acne-prone skin, it also depends on how severe your acne is, and if you’re following a treatment for it. There are cleansers that act on the causes of acne. These can complement other creams and treatments that you may be using. You may, however, already be following a heavy treatment regimen. There is no need to overload your skin with a cleanser that also treats acne-prone skin. In this case, a soothing and calming cleanser – a moment of respite – may be the best choice of all.
Cleansing is the essential first step in any skincare routine. Not only does it clear away the day’s detritus and what the night discards, it can also help to soothe any skin problems you may have. Which is why it’s always important to consult the surfactants that a cleanser contains. If you have acne and are taking a dermatological treatment for it, at this initial stage of skincare you want gentle surfactants that aren’t going to irritate your skin further.
The skin’s natural pH level is about 5.5. Facial cleansers that don’t have a pH similar to the skin’s are more likely to irritate it. They may strip your skin of its hydrolipidic film and protective barrier, leading to irritation, dryness, and possibly inflammation. This may also result in a higher production of sebum to renourish the skin – which can compound difficulties for acne-prone skin.
Washing your face at least once, and ideally twice a day is crucial. It can help calm your acne, and prevent it from getting worse. If you wear make-up during the day, removing it before bed is crucial to your skin’s long-term health. ‘Washing in the morning removes treatment creams that make your skin sensitive to the sun, especially in summer,’ notes Dr Fougerouse.
Cold water isn’t always pleasant, and hot water can be abrasive and strip away the natural oils in your skin. Opt for the middle ground, and wash with lukewarm water.
There is no need to scrub and scrub – this will not make your acne disappear any faster. It may indeed make it worse, or at the very least irritate your skin and make it even less comfortable than it is. Be gentle as you wash, using smooth and soft movements.
Rubbing your face with a towel is another abrasive movement when cleansing your face, and your acne, and skin, won’t like it. Instead, pat your skin dry, pressing the moisture gently into your towel.
Washing acne-prone skin really can make a difference. In fact, for mild acne, the right cleanser and cream combination can clear problems up.
Gentle purifying cleanser. Removes impurities and controls shine.
Combination to oily skin
Deep cleansing with deep respect, a perfect balance.
Combination to oily skin Acne-prone skin
The first* ecobiological cleansing balm to restore comfort during ultra-drying acne treatments.
*At Bioderma
Acne-prone skin Acne-prone skin under acne treatment
Dermatological cleansing micellar water. Purifies and respects skin balance.
Acne-prone skin Combination to oily skin
