Acne Treatments for Sensitive Skin
Acne Treatments for Sensitive Skin
Anyone who has sensitive skin will tell you that it’s a daily challenge. You must make sure you are always wearing the right sunscreen, moisturize daily and carefully limit exposure to both hot and cold temperatures. With respect to acne, people with sensitive skin need to accept that their options are limited. Most products contain harsh chemicals and some treatments can cause sensitive skin to redden or lead to further breakouts.
Women, teens or parents of teens need to understand how to care for sensitive skin and what options are worth checking out, including the Blue Acne Treatment Device, which uses a combination of LED Light and dermal heating to safely treat blemishes, even the most severe.
Let’s look at the different acne treatments designed for people with sensitive skin. We’ll review how to diagnose sensitive skin, why certain over-the-counter pads and creams sting and irritate skin and offer some advice on how to gently and effectively clean the dirt and grime from your face.
Diagnosing Sensitive Skin
When diagnosing sensitive skin, you should look for the presence of pustules, bumps, erosions, areas of dryness and a high frequency of blushing or skin flushing.
Sensitive skin can be caused by:
- Excessive exposure to environmental factors like the sun, high winds or extreme hot or cold temperatures.
- Skin that is so severely dry it cannot properly protect nerve endings. This lack of protection leads to reactions.
- Any type of skin disorder like eczema, rosacea or dermatitis.
Sensitivities can be caused by genetics, age, gender or skin type. In most cases, people suffering from some form of skin sensitivity will be more susceptible to acne or acne scarring. At the very least, they must be more vigilant in preventing acne from occurring.
Try These Tips to Clear Acne
If you’re frustrated with acne that refuses to go away, here are some tips we suggest trying. Achieving clear skin takes time, strategy and patience so don’t fret if results aren’t immediate. These tips are dermatologist-tested but bear in mind that with skin there’s no one answer. Each case needs to be treated individually.
Additionally, be careful of easily trusting products labelled hypoallergenic. This does not necessarily make it safe for sensitive skin. It is a loosely defined term and many companies use it to market products without little to back it up scientifically.
These tips are specifically for people with sensitive skin.
- Whatever treatment you use, give it at least four weeks to work.
- Don’t try different products at the same time.
- Closely follow package directions or the treatment plan provided by your dermatologist. There’s no points for creativity with respect to treating acne or caring for sensitive skin.
- Try not to wash your face too often as it can dry your skin. Stick to washing twice a day (in addition to when you’ve worked up a good sweat).
- Don’t scrub, as this can cause acne prone skin to react negatively.
- For all acne products and medication, make sure the package explicitly states that it won’t clog pores and is non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic and oil-free.
- Resist touching your sensitive skin.
- Resist popping your acne. This might seem like the quickest way to rid your skin of a blemish but it can actually make things worse.
- Wash your pillowcases along with anything that touches the areas of your skin that tends to get acne.
When it comes to your skin, never take chances and always err on the side of caution.
Over-the-Counter Products
Most people turn to over-the-counter acne treatments because they’re accessible, relatively affordable and they recognize and trust the companies that produce them. While some are marketed as safe for sensitive skin, you still need to be careful and review the active ingredients.
Some of these active ingredients found in over-the-counter acne medications include:
- Benzoyl peroxide is a chemical that kills acne-causing bacteria by removing oil and dead skin cells, both of which clog pores. Its strength ranges from 2.5 to 10% so those with sensitive skin should stick to the lower end of the scale. Side effects can include dry skin, scaling, redness and a stinging sensation.
- Salicylic acid can proactively prevent pores from clogging. Available in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5%, and possible side effects include mild stinging and skin irritation.
- Alpha hydroxy acids come in two types: glycolic acid and lactic acid, which are synthetic versions of the acids commonly found in sugary fruits. They remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation and can promote the growth of new and healthier skin. This is a good option for those with sensitive skin looking to treat acne scarring.
- Sulfur is strong enough to remove dead skin cells and pockets of oil. Often combined with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to maximize effectiveness.
You could also consider over-the-counter products with natural ingredients but their ability to consistently heal acne has been questioned.
If you have extremely sensitive skin, then talk to your family doctor about getting a referral to a dermatologist to confirm that the ingredients in whatever you’re considering using are going to be safe for your particular skin condition. Your dermatologist may also have some suggestions for alternative products and treatments for your acne and general skin health.
Teens or Parents of Teens with Sensitive Skin
Eight out of 10 teens get acne. It can be tough to deal with but it’s an unavoidable part of puberty where teens are subjected to physiological and hormonal changes. These hormones trigger excess oil gland production. This oil mixes with things like dead skin cells to trap bacteria in pores and the result can be a series of breakouts.
Teens should use a gentle cleanser in the morning, preferably one with salicylic acid or sulfur and that’s alcohol-free. Their nighttime skincare routine should include a moisturizer in addition to a thorough cleaning.
Here are two products that are recommended for teenagers with severe acne:
- Clean & Clear Essentials Oil-free Deep Cleaning is an astringent for acne that treats and helps prevent recurrences.
- Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue is a moisturizer that works for 24 hours and contains Vitamin C and E.
Teens with sensitive skin need to be extra cautious when it comes to treating their acne. Many common treatments can work but the safest bet is to use chemical-free treatments.
The Blue Acne Eliminator Device
This acne treatment device, also known as Blue, provides state-of-the-art and chemical-free acne treatment. It allows users to say goodbye to pads and creams that can sting or cause further irritation for a safe alternative that is clinically tested.
Blue’s combination of LED light and dermal heating helps prevent a recurrence of acne breakouts by attacking blemishes at their source. The device costs more than an ointment but it is a one-time purchase that allows users to stop throwing their money at over-the-counter products that have never gotten the job done. It’s easy-to-use and can work on different skin types and is equally effective for adults and teens.
Noticeable results in only seven weeks of daily treatments and it’s portable so treatment can go uninterrupted even if you are a jet-setter.
Achieve Clear Skin Today!
Having smooth and clear skin can give anyone the confidence to feel comfortable in any social or professional situation. When trying to navigate sensitive skin to treat acne, women and teens will have a myriad of options but should consider both the short and long-term benefits of chemical-free treatments like Blue.
Explore the Silk'n Blue Acne Eliminator Device and see why it's so effective. While you’re here, learn more about acne treatments in our Resource Center.
