Routines

A beginner acne-prone routine

Four steps. One active. Twelve weeks. That is the whole plan.

Make this make sense for you

Morning

  • Gentle cleanser (or water if your skin is dry)
  • Moisturizer
  • Sunscreen SPF 30+

Evening

  • Gentle cleanser
  • One treatment step
  • Moisturizer

Choosing the one treatment step

Mostly blackheads and whiteheads: a retinoid such as adapalene, or salicylic acid.

Mostly red, inflamed spots: benzoyl peroxide, often at 2.5%.

Sensitive or reactive skin: azelaic acid is frequently better tolerated.

What not to do

Do not start three actives at once. If something goes wrong you will not know which one caused it, and you will have spent money finding out nothing.

Key takeaways

  • Four steps is enough.
  • One active at a time.
  • Sunscreen is not optional if you use actives.

Consider professional advice if

  • Your breakouts are painful, deep or leaving scars
  • Things are getting worse quickly despite a reasonable routine
  • Your skin is significantly affecting how you feel day to day

Related ingredients

Keep reading

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