Dealing with frequent zits can be a wee bit challenging. However, a solid CTMS routine with the right ingredients can help alleviate acne while improving overall skin health. In this blog, we decode the C of CTMS! All cleanser essentials for pimples – the ingredients you should and shouldn’t use. We also focus on how this no-frills skincare staple can be transformative. 

What Is A Cleanser And Why It Is Important? 

A cleanser is a formula that removes dirt, grime, and impurities from the pores, ensuring a balanced skin microbiome for the skin. Additionally, a potent cleanser extends several benefits for your skin.

1. Unclogs pores and cues healthy cellular regeneration: The skin lays bare to dirt, pollutants, and other impurities all day. This creates a layer of buildup atop that hampers cellular renewal, clogs pores and makes your skin appear dull. A cleanser adroitly dissolves this buildup to address the above concerns and more. 

2. Deeply hydrates the skin: Hydration is crucial for the upkeep and maintenance of your skin. Ample hydration accelerates healing, strengthens the lipid barrier, and ensures the overall structure of your skin.  

3. Calms inflammation and irritation: Using a soothing cleanser stops bacteria from spreading through the skin.  

4. Improves your skin’s circulation: Cleansing for only a minute improves the blood flow to your skin, bestowing upon it a soft radiance. Moreover, regular cleansing cues the regeneration of skin cells and enhances Collagen production – making you look more youthful.  

5. Boosts your serum or treatment’s efficacy: Before using a result-oriented serum or treatment, use a cleanser to remove dirt, debris, and dead cells. This ensures better absorption of the active ingredients across the barrier for swifter results.

What Should You Look For In A Cleanser For Acne? 

To target a specific concern like acne, your cleanser should check the above boxes and then some more. Ahead, we list the non-negotiables for your acne cleanser.

1. Oil control: One of the main reasons for acne is excessive greasiness. That’s right, when surplus sebum, dirt, and dead cells clog the pores, it leads to the appearance of bumps. Therefore, an acne cleanser should aim to regulate sebum for a healthy microbiome.

2. Unclog pores: A potent acne formula should dislodge dirt, grime, and other impurities from the pores for even, smooth skin. This helps prevent all forms of acne – inflammatory and non-inflammatory (re: whiteheads and blackheads)  

3. Prevent acne and soothe inflammation: It goes without saying, that an acne face wash should be able to prevent and curb acne. Since this skin condition occurs when microbiomes start thriving in clogged pores, the right cleanser will inhibit this bacterial growth for smooth, radiant skin.

What Ingredients Should You Look For In An Acne Cleanser

Now that you’re well-versed in the functionalities of an acne face wash, here are some ingredients you should seek.

1. Salicylic Acid: Salicylic Acid is an oil-soluble active ingredient that cuts excess sebum, unclogs pores, and reduces acne. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe inflammation.  

2. Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a non-negotiable for folks with acne-prone skin. Its topical application soaks up excess sebum, prevents clogged pores and ensures long-lasting hydration for the skin.  

3. Hyaluronic Acid: Low hydration levels in your skin trigger the sebaceous glands into overdrive mode. This leads to a never-ending oil slick on the skin, excess buildup and eventually, the formation of bumps. Incorporate a powerful humectant like HA that binds water molecules to the skin and replenishes its deepest layers.  

4. AHAS like Glycolic Acid: The powerful exfoliant, Glycolic Acid, sloughs off your skin’s outermost layer to prevent greasiness, blackheads, and acne. The ingredient boasts small molecules that easily percolate into the skin for best results. 

5. Azelaic Acid: Azelaic Acid makes for a great addition to your anti-acne kit. The active ingredient inhibits acne-causing and soothes inflammation.

What Are Some Ingredients You Should Avoid For Acne? 

Certain ingredients can irritate acne-prone skin, leading to more breakouts and inflammation. Scroll ahead to make an informed decision –

1. SLS or Sodium lauryl sulphate is a foaming agent commonly found in cleansers. It makes your skin feel stripped, leading to more greasiness, breakouts, and inflammation. 

2. Alcohol in your acne cleanser leads to irritation and dehydrates the skin. This grave oversight leads to perpetual greasiness, clogged pores, and eventually breakouts. 

3. Parabens are preservatives that can disrupt your hormone levels, leading to inexplicable episodes of breakouts.

The Best Acne Cleanser 

A potent acne cleanser forms the core of an infallible skincare routine, so why settle for second best? Try Foxtale’s Acne Control Face Wash. The innovative formula reduces acne while ensuring deep hydration and nourishment. 

Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, and Niacinamide 

This 2% Salicylic Acid face wash blots excess sebum and kills acne-causing bacteria, significantly reducing breakouts in only 4 weeks. The non-drying formula also contains Niacinamide that prevents TEWL, aids barrier functions and helps soothe irritation. Moreover, Hyaluronic Acid gives a big boost of hydration to the skin.

What Is The Best Skincare Routine For Acne

1. Take a coin-sized amount of the Salicylic Acid cleanser and gently scrub your skin for 30 seconds. Once through, use cold water to rinse off. This little step will help seal maximum hydration into the skin.

2. Next, dab your skin dry and apply Foxtale’s Acne Spot Corrector Gel on individual bumps and eruptions. This acne scar removal gel contains Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid that help shrink acne in 12 hours only. 

3. Once the treatment sinks in, apply a generous layer of the oil-free moisturizer on your skin. The Niacinamide-infused formula removes excess oil, prevents clogged pores, and brightens skin while administering long-lasting hydration. 

FAQs 

1. How many times can I use face wash for acne? 

You can use face wash for acne twice – in your morning and nighttime skincare routine.

2. What is the best face wash for clearing acne? 

Try Foxtale’s Acne Control Face Wash with Salicylic Acid to reduce breakouts in 4 weeks.