The Best Skin Care Routine for Acne-Prone and Oily Skin (And What to Do With Those Acne Scars)

Do you think you’re too old to get acne? You’re not alone. One of the most common skin problems among post-adolescents is acne vulgaris, affecting even menopausal women for a variety of reasons.

 In fact, statistics indicate that almost 50% of women have to deal with some form of acne during their adult lives. As everyone’s skin is different, it’s crucial to see a skin care specialist who can personalize a skincare routine suited to your skin.

Removing Makeup

Personalized skincare routine still observes the basics. Going to bed with makeup (as is often the case when you are too tired to bother) is a huge no-no, especially if you want to remove acne. Makeup clogs your pores, and a simple routine like using ultra-gentle makeup remover that is oil- and alcohol-free can make all the difference.

Whether you have normal, dry, oily or acne-prone skin, you need to use a gentle cleanser that rinses without leaving any residue or containing dry cleansing agents. For oily or acne-prone skin, drying cleansers may seem like a good idea because they leave your skin feel less oily, but in the long-term, they will only trigger more oil production right in the oil gland, congesting the skin even more and making acne worse!

Cleansing With Mild Wash

What you need to use instead is a mild wash that helps regulate hyperactive sebaceous glands. At the root of it all, acne is all about excess sebum or oil production, which sets the stage for dirt and bacteria to clog up the pores and cause inflammation of the hair follicles. So you need to use cleansers that have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Azelaic acid, which is the main active ingredient in Dr. Sylvia’s Purifying Aza Cleanser with Kaolin and Sulphur, has been shown to have anti-bacterial effects that work against mild to moderate acne so you minimize the chance of getting pimple scars. Dr. Sylvia Ramirez is a renowned dermatologist in Singapore who has developed an Advanced Skin Care Program for skin that’s healthy and beautiful at the cellular level.

 What makes Dr. Sylvia’s cleanser work better is biosulphur, as it is particularly suitable for acne-prone or oily skin: It’s anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating. Kaolin clay is not only rich in essential and trace minerals, but also highly effective in drawing out impurities that may have been left behind by the use of cosmetic products.

Toning to Remove Traces of Residue

Follow cleansing with toning to remove keratinized (hardened) skin cells that combine with oil to cause acne. Toners also remove the last traces of cosmetics, reduce inflammation, and minimize large pores.

Dr. Sylvia’s Purifying Aza Toner contains salicylic acid that helps break down and exfoliate dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is especially effective against acneic skin because it penetrates the hair follicle and removes traces of residue.

Treating Active Acne and Removing Acne Scars

 To treat active acne, you would need more than just cleansers and toners that are best used in preventing breakouts. Chemical exfoliants are non-invasive options to treat active acne and acne scars in a medical aesthetic clinic setting. But not all chemical peeks are compatible with acne-prone skin. This is what makes VI Peel unique: It penetrates the skin much deeper than traditional peels, and shown to be more effective even for those with sensitive skin or very dark complexion.

Sometimes, acne leaves deep scars of the ice-pick variety, and in this case, you want a more advanced acne scar removal treatment that uses an automated skin needling device. Micro-needles, such as those used in Dermapen, penetrate the scar tissue, creating a mechanism of injury that eventually leads to the creation of new healthy collagen. With this new collagen, the appearance of severe scars is minimized.