Exfoliation for Acne: Yay or Nay?
Many of us who deal with acne tend to overdo it (or underdo it) with the skin care and unknowingly punish our skin for looking the way it does. Let’s change that pattern! Because the right skin care can be helpful in reducing your breakouts along with targeted treatments to address the true root cause of your acne.
In this blog post, we’re going to talk about how you can properly address your acne prone skin with exfoliation for better results. After all, exfoliation is an important part in your acne skin care routine.
Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.
Why should you exfoliate if you’re dealing with acne?
In the pore when acne starts to form, there is an overproduction of sebum (oil) and dead skin cells that pile up. This clogs the pore and moves up closer to the top of the skin creating a comadome (pimple/pustule/blackhead).
Exfoliants come to help clear out those dead skin cells, and in some cases, the oil that’s piled up. You can think of exfoliants coming in like a cleaning crew on your skin.
Types of Exfoliants
There are 2 types of exfoliants you should be aware of:
Physical: think cleansing scrubs or textured cloths
Chemical: usually toners, chemical peels using enzymes or chemicals to exfoliate skin, usually AHAs, BHAs
There is a difference between AHAs and BHAs, which we will discuss below.
Chemical Exfoliants
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a water-soluble exfoliant that works to exfoliate the surface of the skin
Benefits: helps with acne by removing the layer of dead skin cells that are blocking pores and triggering acne; improves tone and texture of skin. There are other benefits outside of acne, but we’re going to keep it simple here!
Types: glycolic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid
Products: AHA Jelly Cleanser
Be careful with AHAs as they increase sensitivity to UV light so be mindful with sun exposure and always use sunscreen.
Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are oil-soluble exfoliants that exfoliate deep below the surface into the pore
Benefits: because BHAs are oil-soluble, they are able to head deep into the pore to remove oil and dead skin cells and oil that may be clogging the pore to produce acne
Types: salicylic acid
Products: Postbiotic Acne Serum
The Bottom Line with Exfoliation
A product with BHA may be a great option to reduce inflammation and help with acne. Before heading out and using it daily, keep in mind you should titrate up use to support your skin through this transition.
Exfoliation is a great addition your skin care routine if you’re dealing with acne, but you want to make sure you’re using the right product. If you have questions, make sure to check in with your doctor or esthetician as they will be able to guide you through the process.
Talk soon,
xx Dr. Alyssa
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