You are fed up with your acne problems. It occurs on your body alongside your face. This troubles you a lot. You need a solution for your frequent breakouts and oily skin but don’t know where to start. It is better to use a dermatologically tested soap bar for your acne problems rather than depending on any random soap bar. You need to incorporate a gentle exfoliating soap in your skin routine in order to deal with acne.
Instead of using a body soap that just removes surface dirt it is better to use a targeted acne soap which is formulated with active ingredients that are used to control stubborn body acne. You need to stop using a soap which has attractive packaging and just claims to reduce acne without the use of any active ingredients. Dermatologists suggest focusing on the formulation instead of non justified claims. The right choice of ingredient depends on your skin concerns and skin type. After selecting an anti acne soap you need to stick to it to get results.
Why does an acne breakout occur?
Acne breakouts are the after effect of clogged pores on the skin. It occurs due to the excess sebum production in some individuals which could clog the pores of the skin. It could also happen due to the accumulation of sweat, dead skin cells and dirt on the face. Another reason for acne breakouts is fluctuating hormones.
Environmental changes and pollution also contribute actively to breakouts. One of the reasons for body acne is wearing tight and unbreathable clothes which sticks to the skin and rubs against it this leads to inflamed acne. Also when all this happens it creates a suitable environment for Cutibacterium acnes bacteria to grow.
Types of acne problems-
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Papules
- Fungal acne
- Pastules
- Cysts
Characteristics of an effective soap for acne
- Non comedogenic profile: A soap should not be comedogenic at all. It must not leave behind any residues on the skin which could clog the pores of the skin. If it clogs the pores it could worsen the condition of acne.
- Controls excess sebum: A right soap for acne should be able to control the excess sebum production from the skin. It should wipe off the excess from the pores and the surface both without drying the skin completely.
- pH balance: The soap for acne control should have a suitable pH for the skin. It should not irritate the skin. It should work in synergy with skin pH range which is around 5.5. If it has a pH range around the ideal sin pH range it usually won’t irritate the skin and cause any discomfort.
- Clarifies impurities: The soap must be able to remove the impurities with effective action from the skin. These impurities can clog the pores or cause acne. It should be able to dissolve the impurities and shed them from the skin.
- Anti bacterial action: The soap must provide anti bacterial action which would help to kill the acne causing bacteria.
- Gentle exfoliation: A soap should be able to gently exfoliate the impurities from the skin without doing any harm to the skin by breaching the skin barrier. It should not function like a harsh scrubbing exfoliant.
Ingredients to search for
- Salicylic acid: This is the most valued ingredient for acne control. It is a beta hydroxy acid which is lipophilic in nature. This enables it to reach the pores of the skin by crossing the oil barriers. It clarifies the impurities from the pores by dissolving their cellular bonds. It also controls excess sebum production. It is ideal for blackheads and whiteheads reduction.
- Benzoyl peroxide: This anti acne ingredient works to kill the acne causing bacteria. It does so by releasing oxygen into the pores of the skin which creates an unsuitable environment for acne causing bacteria. It is helpful in the case of bacterial acne and inflamed painful acne.
- Tea tree oil: This naturally derived extract helps a lot in dealing with acne. It works by killing the acne causing bacteria. It also helps in reducing the inflammation due to acne.
- Sulfur: It helps greatly in keeping acne under control. It helps by keeping the pores clear and free from the impurities.
- Glycerin: This is a powerful ingredient which functions as a humectant. It helps a lot on the irritated and dry skin. It helps in locking the moisture in the skin. Does not leave skin tight after use. Helps greatly in soothing the skin.
Ingredients you can avoid
- Harsh surfactants: Do not opt for harsh surfactants that could easily strip the moisture barrier of your skin resulting in dryness.
- Fragrant ingredients: It is better not to choose a product with highly perfumed or fragrant ingredients as they can trigger skin irritation and could worsen acne.
- Comedogenic agents: Do not go for heavy oil or butter ingredients that could congest the pores.
Skin Types
- Oily skin: They can use a salicylic acid soap or benzoyl peroxide based soap for their acne and oil control.
- Dry or sensitive skin: They require ingredients that help in controlling breakouts but without stripping their moisture barrier.
- Combination skin: They require ingredients that could help in controlling the excess sebum from the T-zone along with hydrating the dry region of the face.
Last thoughts
Before going on buying any random product for acne control, it is better to take a consultation from a dermatologist or follow the guidelines. You need to buy a soap for your acne problem based on your skin type and acne concerns. For that you need to look for the right ingredients that help in controlling the problem.
