Acne is not a good time. It’s enemy #1 in getting your complexion to reach #skincaregoals, and we know that the struggle to treat it can get real. What on Earth are you to do? Should you be using this product or doing this new technique? The endless list of possible ways to treat the problem seems promising, except when there’s another skin issue at hand: sensitive skin. Things get even more frustrating for those of us who not only deal with acne breakouts but have skin with a soft side. For all of you with both acne and sensitive skin, we put together this helpful guide. Our hope is that you find a bit of calm in the storm that is acne, and a solution from the tips below that will work for you!
Tip 1: Be Cognizant of Retinoids
We’re starting off with some science-y terms! (Fun, eh? Maybe not for you, but for us? We love this stuff!) Retinoids are a class of compounds that are derived from Vitamin A. They’re known for a host of benefits, from helping to reduce signs of aging (i.e; wrinkles) right down to the nitty-gritty of getting rid of pesky acne.
The way they work is by helping to promote cellular turnover and to exfoliate the skin. This is beneficial to those that are suffering from breakouts, because acne is caused by a build-up of dead skin cells (among other not-so-cool things).
In the end, though, it is important to not get overly excited and use just any retinoids to treat your acne if you’re also suffering from sensitive skin. You should a) Start out with the smallest amount offered and see how your skin tolerates it before working up to a larger quantity, and b) look for products with retinol, as this type of retinoid is gentler.
Pro Tip: Apply moisturizer before applying your retinoids. It’ll act as a buffer to soften the response on the skin.
Tip 2: Don’t Over-Exfoliate or Scrub-Attack Skin
The next tip on the list of acne treatment for sensitive skin is to be kind to your complexion! It may enrage you to the point of grabbing a scrub brush and attacking your face, but please, for us and your future, don’t do this. While exfoliating your skin gently (and with the right ingredients like aforementioned retinoids) is a great thing, you don’t want to go G.I. Jane (or Joe) on your acne. Treat it with kindness and use mild exfoliants 1-2 times a week, like our 05 Marine Algae Repairing Mask, to help clear the skin of build-up.
Tip 3: Those Benzoyl Peroxide Treatments? Say Bye
As many of you know (if you’ve been battling acne a long time), many products have the ever-present benzoyl peroxide added in them. To us, as we’ve stated in the past, this is an ingredient that’s a total no-go. It’s been linked to a lot of risky things, including introducing free radicals into the body -- yikes!
If you’ve been toying with using it and have sensitive skin, we definitely recommend either you speak to your dermatologist beforehand, or you know… just don’t use it.
Instead, you can try out softer acids that have effects similar to those found when using Benzoyl Peroxide such as Linoleic Acid or Mandelic Acid.
Tip 4: Don’t Fear Natural Ingredients (They Aren’t Just For Hippies)
When it comes to fighting acne, especially for those with sensitive skin, you shouldn’t shy away from natural ingredients. While you may think acne treatment that’s natural is ineffective (thanks very much to all those commercials growing up focused on medicine-heavy solutions) it’s time to overwrite that thought!
There are plenty of natural ingredients on the market that work very well on the skin, and here at 10 Degrees Cooler we’re a huge fan of adding them into our various skincare goods. In fact, we use nothing but!
For instance, our 03 Midnight In Corsica Face Oil employs sacha inchi oil, which is an all-natural, certified organic, plant-based ingredient. This oil has been linked to reducing acne breakouts thanks to the presence of omega-6 fatty acids.
Aside from all this, there’s always goji berry powder (which can be found in our 06 Royal Jelly & Enzymes Hydrating Mask). Made from the ground up goji berry, which is known to be extremely high in antioxidants, this specific ingredient can do wonders for acne-prone skin. This is due to its anti inflammatory properties, lessening the chance at breakouts.
Tip 5: Keep Yourself Motivated
This goes without saying, but when it comes to finding the right solution, it’s about trial and error. We highly suggest going down the list one by one until you find something that is perfect for you. Don’t let yourself get frustrated and quit on your skincare goals! We know a little TLC will go a long way.
Still need some help? Feel free to email us and ask which of our products would be best for your skin!
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