Does Exfoliating Help Acne? Here’s What You Need to Know

Do you know that acne is among the top 10 most prevalent disorders affecting about 650 million people around the globe? However, regular cleansing and exfoliation can significantly reduce the risk of acne breakouts. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, open clogged pores filled with excess oil or toxins, and increase cell turnover for healthy young skin. 

If your skin is acne-prone, you must do gentle exfoliation to prevent excessive skin sensitivity and acne breakouts. Let’s dive deeper into how exfoliation may help acne. 

How does Exfoliating Help Acne?

The most important benefits of exfoliation for acne treatment are:

• Regular exfoliation keeps the skin pores clear from bacteria, oil, and dust particles as well as prevents re-clogging. 
• Constant removal of dead cells promotes the synthesis of new and healthy cells, hence making skin well-nourished and glowing.
• Enhance the deep penetration of skin products and acne medications, thus increasing their effectiveness. 

Is It Good to Exfoliate Acne-prone Skin?

Either physical or chemical, exfoliants are exceptionally good for acne. However, you should adopt the exfoliation method that best suits your skin type. Physical exfoliants like face scrubs may sometimes irritate your skin if done with harsh rubbing. However, chemical exfoliants like chemical peels are considered safer options because they’re specifically formulated with gentle ingredients highly suitable for acne-prone skin.

(The next section describes how to safely exfoliate your skin). 

Types of Exfoliants for Acne-prone Skin

There are commonly two types of exfoliants that are:

Physical Exfoliants

In manual or physical exfoliation, coarse particles or granules such as scrubs, loofahs, or brushes are used. Usually, harsh physical exfoliation can irritate acne-prone or sensitive skin, resulting in inflammation or redness.

Chemical Exfoliants

The best way to combat acne is chemical exfoliation. These exfoliants efficiently resurface the dead skin cells by directly targeting the acne spots. However, choosing the right ingredients may increase their effectiveness. 

Best Ingredients For Exfoliating Acne-prone Skin

We’ve listed some dermatologically recommended ingredients that can do wonders for acne-prone skin. 

• Retinoids magically improve skin texture by reducing the chance of acne breakouts, blemishes, and clogged pores. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, retinoids play an amazing role in acne prevention and management as they inhibit the development of clogged pores and acne scars.
• Alpha hydroxy acids are known for their significant role in preventing recurring acne. Clogging pores with excessive oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells can cause acne breakouts that can be avoided by exfoliating with alpha hydroxy acid products. 

• Beta hydroxy acids are considered best for acne-prone skin as they dissolve the sebum filled in clogged pores. They have anti-inflammatory and non-comedogenic properties. Research suggests that salicylic acid (a form of BHA) penetrates deep inside the cells and dissolves all the impurities leaving skin smooth and youthful.

Bottom Line

Exfoliation is one of the best topical treatments to help manage acne symptoms. However, choosing the right ingredients in exfoliators is critical while including them in your skincare routine. Moreover, we’d suggest an appointment with a good dermatologist if you face severe acne problems.