We use cookies to help provide you with the best possible online experience.
By using this site, you agree that we may store and access cookies on your device. Cookie policy.
Cookie settings.
Functional Cookies
Functional Cookies are enabled by default at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings and ensure site works and delivers best experience.
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Acne Self-Care: What can I do?
Not everyone's acne is the same, it's about finding what treatments work for you. There are a lot of myths around acne and hopefully this will help clarify some of these for you!
Why do I get acne?
Many factors contribute to acne but a major one is the production of ‘sebum’. An oily secretion from glands on your skin. Sebum blocks skin pores causing spots. Avoiding skin products which act like the sebum and block skin pores is important. All skin products should be described as oil-free, non-comedogenic (do not cause blackheads or whiteheads) or non-acnegenic (do not cause acne).
What should I wash my face with?
Soaps can dry out your skin; consider using a product known as a cleanser instead. Specific acne cleansers can be purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket – see list at end.
Can I moisturise my face or will it make my acne worse?
Yes - acne treatments can cause the skin to become dry. Applying a light moisturiser can help prevent this. Use one which is oil-free, non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic.
Can I use make up?
Absolutely. However, using too much make-up or the wrong kind of make-up will block your pores and cause more acne. Again, use products which are oil-free or water based and as with the moisturiser they should be labelled as being non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic.
Should I exfoliate?
Exfoliating can help to prevent acne but being too aggressive can damage the skin. Use an acne-specific product and unlike cleansing don’t use daily.
How long after applying my acne creams can I use make-up/moisturisers?
Allowing 15 minutes for your skin to absorb your acne treatment before applying other products to your skin.
Should I squeeze spots?
No! Try not to pick or squeeze your spots as this usually aggravates them and may cause scarring.
Am I making my acne worse by eating the wrong things?
There is little evidence that any food or poor hygiene cause or make acne worse.
Where can I buy Acne friendly products and are they expensive?
There are lots of products available to buy which can we very overwhelming. Below is a short list of brands available and recommended by dermatologists:
- Cetaphil - PRO £
- Neutrogena - Visibly Clear £
- La Roche Posay - Effaclar range ££
- Clinique - Anti-Blemish Solutions £££
Online Support
Acne Support, brought to you by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), a reliable source of information.
