Acne Washes And Toners: How To Choose Acne Cleansing Products
While lack of hygiene can contribute to acne, frequent washing is not a solution. "If a patient believes that dirty skin causes acne, they logically conclude that washing their face more often will improve their acne," said Alexa Boer Kimball, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard University, Boston, Mass. "But dermatologists caution patients against washing too often, as the resulting irritation can exacerbate their acne."
Scrubbing your face with coarse facial scrubs and washcloths irritates the skin and actually deepens the tiny wounds in your skin. "People think they have acne because they do not wash enough, but usually they are washing too often with harsh scrubs that make their symptoms worse," confirms Julie Harper, M.D. of University of Alabama at Birmingham.
No matter how tempting it is to scrub away all those dead skin cells and blackheads, stay away of washcloths and scrubs. Washcloths tend to absorb and breed the bacteria, which add up to the problem.
The best way to cleanse your acne prone skin is to wash your face with mild cleansers designed for sensitive skin and cool the face with lukewarm water. Pat your face with clean towel, but do not rub.
Sensitive skin care products are more suitable for acne than medicated acne cleansers. Sensitive skincare products are designed to eliminate all possible causes of irritation. They are unscented and less chemically loaded than other skincare products. Their main purpose is to cleanse and moisturize using the least possible amount of ingredients. Some will contain soothing plant components, such as Aloe Vera, chamomile or green tea.
The most effective toners for acne-prone skin are witch hazel or tea tree oil infusion in small amount of alcohol. Avene mineral water spray is a great toner that comes in a convenient aerosol bottle. Rich in magnesium, this toner is very soothing and healing.
To prepare the tea tree toner for acne-prone skin we will need half-liter of filtered or mineral water, such as Volvic, Avene or Vichy, 3 packets of chamomile tea, vitamin C crystals as a preservative and antioxidant and MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) as a source of organic sulfur (antibacterial agent).
Steep the chamomile tea in boiled mineral or filtered water. Add five drops of tea tree oil, two MSM caplets, and a little bit of vitamin C to act as a preservative. Shake well until everything dissolves. Store the toner in a fridge to eliminate the need for alcohol or chemical preservatives. This toner has shelf life of two weeks.
SOURCE: THE CLEAR SKIN GUIDEBOOK (revised 2008 edition)
