It’s tempting isn’t it? Even as a laser tech and skin health
specialist I still even find myself aimlessly wandering down the very same
isle.
First off, drug store skin care is just not the way to go in
general. It’s inexpensive because it’s cheaply made. If it quacks like a duck,
walks like a duck and looks like a duck…it must be a squirrel! Oh no wait, I
mean it’s a duck, duh! Sorry.
There’s also a stigma when it comes to acne that’s been
ingrained in all of us, and most likely from skin care product advertisements.
That stigma is that acne skin is dirty skin.
Most of us have struggled with break outs at one time or
another. For some it’s short lived and for others, it can go on for years.
Therefore, most of us have been in the very same isle wandering aimlessly
hoping to stumble upon the solution.
Now, most skin care you see at the drug store that is meant
for oily, or acne prone skin tends to be medicated with things like salicylic
acid, peroxides, tea tree oil etc and promise to kill off any living thing that
is on your face. Wow, intense!
Anyone who has used these kinds of products know firsthand
that they leave the skin feeling dry, tight and squeaky clean, but that’s a
good thing since we want our skin to be super clean, right?
No, not exactly.
Would you be surprised if I told you that bacteria is not
actually the main problem when it comes to acne? Well, then hang on to your
squirrels because you’re about to get the shock of your life!
Bacteria is NOT the problem! It’s been proven that those who
have acne also have a hypertrophic stratum corneum. Or, an extra thick dead
skin cell layer which sits on the surface. These cells stick together and don’t
shed off naturally as they do in otherwise healthy skin.
These dead cells lingering around tend to come together with
oil and create a clog. Only THEN do the bacteria come into play to feed off the
oil.
It’s right about then one finds themselves constantly over
cleansing, either too often or with a harsh cleanser, or both!
Well the issue here is that tight, dry squeaky clean feeling
those products give you. This is not a good sign as that means you’ve just
stripped your skin of all its natural oils and moisture.
Your skin is now exposed to all sorts of environmental damage
including bacteria and dehydration. So, what does your skin do to combat this?
The oil glands kick into hyper-drive and produce a ton of oil to replace what
was lost.
Now you mix in all this extra oil, with those extra dead
cells and you’ve really got a problem!
This is why it’s so important to give up those foamy,
medicated cleansers and use something gentle. After all, acne is a condition
that causes inflammation and damage so the skin could use some extra TLC as
opposed to constant punishment.
My recommendations are always a milky cream cleanser, like
Environ’s Mild Cleansing Lotion and a pH balancing Toner like the Moisturizing
Toner from Environ as well. This ensures the skin is comfortable, hydrated and
balanced. Beyond that there are further steps to take like chemical exfoliation
and nourishing the skin but that’s best left up to a professional during a
consultation to see what your skin needs since everyone is different and not
all acne is the same.
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