Finally, the day has come when you look into the mirror and no pimples stare back at you. Time to do the victory dance and maybe even call your buddies over for an impromptu party. Afterwards though you will need to review your post-acne care game plan—that really is key in keeping acne away over the long term.
Is post-acne care really necessary?
Yes, it is!
If you are serious about preventing future flares, commit to a post-acne care regimen. It need not be overly complicated, and most people won’t require a specialised treatment plan. The focus now is on doing the little things consistently, giving your skin the attention it needs every single day.
Post-acne care: What to do after acne completely disappears
Your acne lesions may have well and truly gone, but this is no time to slack off on skincare. There’s no way to know if your pimple-free complexion is a temporary phase or a permanent one. Pimples happen, and you’ll just need to stay extra vigilant. Here are a few guidelines to help you get started:
- Choose the right products.
Use only non-comedogenic products for your skin and hair. Non-comedogenic
formulas won’t clog your pores, which is an important benefit for those with acne-prone skin. The next flare is often just one blocked pore away.
Now that the zits are gone, commit to a simplified routine involving a cleanser, a toner, and a moisturiser. That’s all you need! Remember, moisturiser is a must even for oily skin types. When oily skin is dehydrated, the sebaceous glands go into sebum production overdrive, leaving you with a greasy feeling and clogged pores.
To upgrade your post-acne care, try a gentle, plant-based formula like Clearica Anti-Acne Cream. A light application all over your face and neck will clear your pores, inhibit acne bacteria, and control sebum levels. It’s suitable for all skin types.
- Be consistent about skincare.
Once you have all the tools, allocate some skincare time every morning and night. Cleansing, toning, and moisturising twice daily is the bare minimum. You might also want to exfoliate or use a face mask every week or fortnight. But resist the urge to experiment with new formulas every few weeks—it could be hard on your skin.
There’s more:
- Anytime you work up a sweat, rinse off with lukewarm water. Resist the urge to cleanse multiple times a day, as that will dry out your skin.
- If you wear makeup, remove every trace before getting to bed. Just be gentle and don’t rub too hard, as that could cause microtears and eventually lead to breakouts.
- Don’t touch the skin constantly, as you could transfer bacteria from the hands to the face. Also, regularly clean items that come in contact with your face—for example, change your pillowcases regularly and wipe down your phone every day.
- Be patient with acne scars.
A big part of post-acne care is learning to live with the marks that the lesions have left behind. Dark spots may linger for months and even years after the zits have healed. Some types of discolouration clear up on their own, but others may need to be helped along.
You’ll find that dark spots are less noticeable when the skin is clean and hydrated than when it is dry and dull. So lean into that twice-daily cleansing regimen. You could also use a gentle face scrub that clears away dirt and debris while reducing blackheads and whiteheads.
If you’re getting impatient, consult a dermatologist for advice! There is a range of in-office treatments for minimising dark spots and making acne scars less visible.
- Change your lifestyle.
Although the link between acne and diet remains unclear, ensuring you meet the daily nutritional requirements could help support a healthier complexion. If your current eating habits are skewed, do a diet refresh: load up on fruits and veggies, cut down on junk and greasy foods, and increase your water intake.
What else?
- Add exercise to your routine to get the heart pumping and improve blood
circulation.
- Always apply sunscreen before heading outside during the day and limit your sun exposure.
- Make time for self-care and don’t scrimp on sleep. Eight hours of sleep and daily meditation session works wonders in reducing stress, and the effects show on your skin.
(Discover more: Does acne go away naturally?)
Bottom line
Post-acne care continues the acne-oriented skincare that resolved your breakout problems in the first place. Think of it as preventive maintenance for your skin. If you’ve had skin troubles, it’s natural to stress about your next flare. But not to worry. So long as you commit to skin-friendly habits and consistent post-acne care, those zits will remain firmly in the past!
Disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a recommendation or for diagnostic purposes. Please consult your dermatologist or doctor before acting on any of the information provided here.