Anti-acne routine: 5 steps to get rid of pimples

By Samantha DucosApril 01, 2024

Acne is the cause of multiple complexes. Once it takes hold, it is almost impossible to dislodge it. A suitable beauty routine is then recommended to get rid of it. Carried out conscientiously, this involves simple actions on a daily basis.

If you are wondering how to remove your acne spots , try the 5 steps to follow for acne-free skin and discover the Nubiance skincare routine for black skin.

What is acne?

Acne is a benign dermatosis caused by excessive production of sebum which blocks the pores of the skin and leads to the appearance of inflammatory and unsightly pimples, most often on the face, back and torso. This dermatological problem mainly occurs at puberty, but disappears on its own at the end of adolescence.

Inflammatory acne causes specific skin rashes, characterized by the appearance of inflamed spots, papules. When they become infected due to bacteria present in the epidermis and contain pus, they become pustules.

Excess sebum caused by acne leads to the appearance of open comedones, blackheads, or closed comedones, white spots without inflammation or redness. Acne can also cause microcysts to appear on the forehead, cheeks and around the mouth. These are closed comedones which are located in the deeper layers of the epidermis and can develop into inflammatory white spots. These microcysts are often painful.

Acne is by definition a hormonal problem. This is why it generally appears in adolescence, but it can very well reappear or appear in adulthood. Women experience it more frequently due to the hormonal fluctuations they experience throughout their lives during periods, pregnancy or even menopause.

Although acne manifests itself as inflammation of the sebaceous glands, its causes can be multiple. The major cause is hormonal imbalance, caused either by puberty or other hormonal disorders. However, this is not the only possible cause:

Food intolerance or digestive problems.

A poor lifestyle and a diet rich in sugars, poor quality fats, and low in fiber.

An imbalance of the intestinal microbiota.

Polycystic ovary syndrome caused by hormonal imbalance.

Starting and stopping birth control pills which can cause hormonal imbalances.

Stress and anxiety which can increase levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

The use of cosmetics unsuitable for your skin.

Discover here the role of the dermatologist for acne on black skin .

How to remove acne pimples in 5 steps?

Daily skin cleansing

In the morning when you wake up and in the evening before going to bed, favor gentle hygiene products such as syndets (a soap-free, foaming and hypoallergenic soap), taking care to rinse thoroughly with clean water after each application. These gentle cleansers are less aggressive and more suitable for sensitive skin than traditional soaps. They gently cleanse and respect the pH of your skin. They also have antibacterial properties.

Apply the cleanser to your face with gentle circular motions. Take care not to rub or pull on your skin, this may cause irritation and make your acne worse. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry your face gently with a clean towel.

Then, apply a spot treatment to pimples and problem areas to help reduce inflammation and speed healing. Common acne treatments include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and topical retinoids.

Read everything there is to know about double cleansing your face .

Regular exfoliation

In case of acne-prone skin, scrubs should be rarer, because they irritate the skin and can aggravate red spots, papules and pustules. Certain exfoliants can help reduce the appearance of acne and fade acne scars. However, it is essential to choose a product that is both gentle and effective for your acne-prone skin.

Physical exfoliants called mechanical scrubs require manual scrubbing, which can irritate skin already inflamed with acne. They should therefore be avoided. Chemical exfoliants, called peels , use acids and enzymes to renew your skin and improve its texture and appearance. Some chemical exfoliants are specially formulated to be non-irritating and gentle enough for acne-prone skin.

Grain-free scrubs, therefore less abrasive, based on enzymes or salicylic acid are recommended. The best acids for acne-prone skin are BHAs, because their sebum-regulating properties target the formation of comedones and prevent clogging of pores that cause blackheads. BHAs are also anti-inflammatory. Indeed, salicylic acid intervenes in the arachidonic acid cascade and inhibits the synthesis of molecules causing inflammatory and painful effects. In the treatment of acne, it calms painful spots and visibly reduces redness.

Use of targeted treatment

In your anti-acne routine , using a targeted treatment can make all the difference. Among these, you can find:

A cream or gel containing benzoyl peroxide.

A cream or gel containing a retinoid associated or not with the previous product. However, be careful, skin treatments based on retinoids are contraindicated in pregnant women.

A cream or gel containing azelaic acid.

A solution or gel containing an antibiotic . The use of local antibiotics is reserved for specific situations and is associated with one of the previous products. Indeed, the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics requires more appropriate use.

Skin hydration

Now it's time to find the treatment in your acne routine that suits your skin. Some oil-based moisturizers may contain ingredients that clog pores or promote acne breakouts. For your acne-prone skin, you should choose non-comedogenic or oil-free products. This usually means that the treatment has been formulated with oily and acne-prone skin in mind.

To find the right moisturizer, choose formulas developed with dermatologists. This way, you can ensure you choose an expertly formulated product that meets your needs and is approved by skin care professionals. Favor moisturizing cosmetics that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and enriched with ingredients that promote beautiful skin such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Daily sun protection

The sun appears to have positive effects on acne-prone skin, but they are short-lived and even misleading. First of all, you should know that the sun dries out the skin. However, a dry epidermis will produce more sebum via the sebaceous glands to compensate for dry skin. This hyperseborrhea is partly responsible for the small spots that can occur after exposure to the sun.

Then, under the effect of the sun and in particular tanning, the skin cells harden and are no longer eliminated naturally. The skin thickens, this is the phenomenon of keratinization. Unable to evacuate, the sebum will form comedones and microcysts.

These two phenomena encountered in summer can be accentuated by heat-related sweating . Sweat creates a favorable environment for the development of the bacteria associated with acne. Finally, the use of sunscreens not suitable for acne-prone skin can worsen the skin condition.

Another sun-related risk can affect acne-prone skin: hyperpigmentation in acne scars. Under the effect of UV rays, the skin from acne marks protects itself by overproducing melanin, the pigment also responsible for tanning. But when the tan fades, the brown pigmentation of acne marks still remains, leaving unwanted spots on the face.

This is why it is essential to use high protection sunscreens if you have acne-prone facial skin. You should choose a non-comedogenic sunscreen and SPF 30 sun care . This cream provides very high anti-UV protection to prevent hyperpigmentation resulting from possible acne scars.

Also discover our article on the different types of acne treatments .

Nubiance offers you its routine against acne for clear skin

To be able to set up your anti-acne ritual , the Nubiance Anti-Imperfections Routine is the one you need at all costs. Suitable for combination to oily skin and/or prone to acne problems, you will find our 4 flagship products:

Micelliance® micellar water for gentle make-up removal: this gentle and beneficial ritual for the skin is ideal for the treatment of acne. You gently erase traces of makeup and pollution accumulated during your day.
Cleanactyl® cleansing gel for a boost of vitality: its soap-free formula respects acne-prone skin, while ridding it of imperfections and pimples.

Exfoclear® exfoliating gel for an effective scrub: also without soap, it eliminates dead cells and stimulates cell renewal.
ACT-5® anti-blemish treatment for balanced skin: this product hydrates without drying the skin, ideal for black and acne-prone skin. It prevents the appearance of pimples and even intervenes on acne scars.

In just a few weeks, you will find clear skin and a radiant complexion.