Can You Use A Face Scrub On Acne-Prone Skin?

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When you have acne-prone skin, you know that putting together the best skin care routine for your skin type is key. But what exactly should your skin care routine include — and can face scrubs be a part of that? You may even be wondering if exfoliating can even be beneficial for your acne-prone skin type. We chatted with Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC and L’Oréal Paris consultant, to find out whether or not it’s a good idea to use a face scrub for acne-prone skin. He shared his advice on exfoliating if you have acne, as well as tips on ingredients to look for, as well as how to address skin post inflammation.

Written by Shalwah Evans, Photo Credits: Drew Richards, Chaunte Vaughn, Sarah Duvivier

What Type of Face Scrubs and Ingredients Are Best For Acne-Prone Skin?

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Fortunately if you have acne-prone skin you don’t have to swear off facial scrubs completely. However, you do have to be careful with how you’re using them and also be mindful of the ingredients included in your scrubs and other products. If you’re not sure about face scrubs for your acne, Zeichner recommends cleansing options with a reputation for being gentle.

“If you have acne, I typically recommend foaming cleansers because they are effective at removing excess oil from the skin,” Zeichner advises. “If you’re not using a leave-on acne treatment, you can consider a cleanser that contains therapeutic actives, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that offers chemical exfoliation, removing dead cells and excess oil from the skin. Benzoyl peroxide helps lower levels of acne causing bacteria to reduce inflammation. If you’re using a leave-on acne treatment, then I typically recommend gentle cleansers to help complement those treatments. Combining therapeutic cleansers with leave-on therapeutic products may lead to excess irritation or dryness for some people.”

How Do You Use A Face Scrub If You Have Acne-Prone Skin?

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If you do want to use a manual scrub when you have acne, make sure you’re using a product with ultra gentle exfoliating particles, Zeichner explains. Gently apply it to the skin using circular motions and very little pressure.

Our recommendation: The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub, which is formulated with three sugars, no microbeads and no harsh exfoliants. The sugars melt as they exfoliate, effectively removing dirt, oil, and impurities from the surface of the skin and polishing away dead skin without stripping your complexion.

Is It Okay To Use A Face Scrub On An Active Breakout?

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“Many acne patients instinctively over wash and over scrub their face. Having acne does not mean that you are dirty,” says Zeichner.

He further explains that while exfoliating products may help keep the pores clear, over scrubbing can lead to more harm than good. If you have inflamed acne, using a scrub in general can cause damage to the skin. “Think of acne breakouts as compromising your skin barrier,” he continues. “If anything, the goal is to repair the barrier and calm inflammation rather than to create more potential inflammation by scrubbing.”

Can Face Scrubs Help Reduce Acne Scarring Or Hyperpigmentation?

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Face scrubs do not address acne scarring or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, according to Zeichner. In fact, over scrubbing may lead to more inflammation and create more pigmentation in the end.

Zeichner says that the two biggest risk factors for acne scarring is family history and delaying treatment, so it’s important to tackle your breakout immediately and effectively to prevent acne scars. If you already have acne scars, over-the-counter retinol (like the L’Oréal Paris Derm Intensives Night Serum 0.3% Pure Retinol) can be useful in reducing their appearance. And if OTC treatments aren’t helpful, you should consult with your dermatologist to come up with a treatment plan and skin care routine tailored for your specific skin care concerns.

Next: What Is Fungal Acne? Causes, Symptoms And How To Treat It