Skin Care Tips For Patients With Acne or Rosacea
At our dermatologist clinic in Salem, Oregon, our staff understand the challenges faced by patients who deal with rosacea or acne when trying to add cosmetics and skin care products to their daily routines.
Understanding how proper skin care and the right choice of skin care products can improve complexion is important for any rosacea or acne patient. With the right knowhow and a better understanding of your skin’s unique care requirements, every patient can enjoy healthy, great looking skin.
With that in mind, here are some answers to a few questions about the best practices for protecting the health of your skin.
What’s the best way to clean your skin if you have rosacea or acne?
Gently wash your skin with cleaning products that contain mild surfactants to help scrub away dirt and oil from the surface of your skin without compromising the skin’s barrier function. Once you’re done cleaning your skin, make sure to thoroughly rinse the cleansers from the skin as the residue can be irritating.
Vigorously scrubbing your skin will worsen acne, as it can remove protective skin lipids and increase irritation. Harsh cleansers, alcohol-based products and alkaline bar soaps may also further irritate the skin. Keep in mind that many of the medications used to treat rosacea and acne can leave the skin feeling inflamed, dry or red, so don’t make things worse by over doing it when washing.
Should you use a moisturizer?
It’s a common misconception that individuals suffering from ache should avoid using moisturizers, when in reality the opposite is actually true. Failing to use a moisturizer could result in your skin becoming red, irritated and it might start to peel easily due to the drying effect of acne medications.
Patients with acne should use a light, oil-free moisturizer that is non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t block your pores. Moisturizers that contain heavy mineral oils should be avoided, however products that contain silicone oils like dimethicone make an excellent choice.
For patients with rosacea, the skin is more sensitive and can react to certain ingredient in both skin care products and prescription medications. Look for moisturizers that contain glycerin, ceramides or hyaluronic acid. They’re usually well tolerated by the skin and will help to rehydrate sensitive skin.
Should you use sunscreen?
The ultraviolet radiation produced by both sunlight and artificial light sources can aggravate the skin of patients with rosacea and acne, so it’s important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily that protects against both UVB and UVA light.
Newer types of sunscreen that contain microfine zinc oxide are smoother on the skin and have a lighter texture. They’re often more cosmetically appealing than the physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide used in older brands in the past.
For patients that have oily skin or acne, try using a gel-based or spray sunscreen.
Can cosmetics harm your skin?
It’s impossible to always control flare-ups, but you can hide the pimples of acne and the redness of rosacea with cosmetics. Fortunately, cosmetic formulas are constantly becoming less irritating and more soothing for patients who suffer from daily skin problems by offering more formulations that are non-comedogenic and non-greasy.
Cosmetics that are mineral-based contain powdered formulas of silica, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that help absorb oil and camouflage redness. Even better, they’re also non-irritating for rosacea and acne patients. Look for the ingredient dimethicone when selecting a cosmetic. It creates a smooth, matte finish and can help to camouflage breakouts while protecting the skin from UV light.