3 Strategies for Acne Treatment

Acne is an extremely complex skin condition affected by hormones, skin microbiome, heredity and diet. Because of this complexity, working with an experienced esthetician is key to getting results! Regardless, here are 3 strategies that all acne-sufferers need to consider!

1.     Exfoliation

The mixture of dead skin cells and oil clogging the pore is the root cause of acne. Once this clog completely blocks the opening of the pore, P.acnes bacteria (who despise oxygen) are able to reproduce and cause inflammation. By preventing these clogs in the first place, exfoliating on a daily basis is the gold standard of acne treatment.

Exfoliation comes in many different flavors: scrubs, enzymes, AHA’s like glycolic and mandelic acid, Salicylic acid and retinoids. Determining which form(s) of exfoliation are best for your skin is best left up to an experienced esthetician who can help you craft the ideal at-home regimen.

Grove and Kane Staff Picks for acne exfoliation: Intensive Clarity Retinol Treatment, Pore Refining Treatment, Blemish Control Bar and Clarifying Toner.

2.     Hydration

One of the biggest mistakes acne patients will make is attempting to “dry out” their acne. Dehydrated skin can lead to more breakouts because it will shed dead skin cells irregularly (causing clogs) and also produce more oil (also adding to pore-clogging). Even the oiliest of skin needs a light-weight hydrator!

Grove and Kane Staff picks for acne-friendly hydrators: Clearskin for oily skin or Après Peel Hydrating Balm for dry skin.

3.      Microbe-busting topicals

If acne is more severe and inflamed (visible redness and swelling around lesions), using Benzoyl Perioxide, is your best bet. This ingredient floods pores with oxygen, which instantly kills oxygen-despising P.acnes bacteria. BPO is extremely effective, but it also can be drying. With the introduction of BPO, a hydrator that is slightly richer than the skin normally needs may be necessary.

Another great ingredient is Sulfur, which also kills bacteria.

Grove and Kane Staff picks for BPO treatments: BPO Cleanser, Spot Correction.

Shop The Acne Control Regimen, which is 20% off for the month of April! This set includes BPO Cleanser, Intensive Clarity Retinol, Acne Cream and Clearskin!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about acne. We can also facilitate a virtual consultation to help you get started with some great homecare!

-Karen