Acne: what treatment should you use?

The importance of proper cleansing

Healthy skin needs, first and foremost, to be gently cleansed with quality products. Washing your face once in the morning and then again in the evening is the generally recommendation. For your evening routine, be sure you remove every trace of makeup and cleanse your skin before going to bed. Use a mild, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free facial cleanser specifically formulated for acne-prone or sensitive skin.

Be sure to thoroughly rinse your skin with warm water and pat it dry with a clean towel, without rubbing.

The importance of moisturizing

After cleansing, use a moisturizing gel, lotion or cream. Apply enough, but not too much, to cover the skin! It’s important to choose a moisturizer that is suitable for oily-to-combination skin, in order not to stimulate sebum production or make your acne worse.

If you need to use a medicated product on your skin, apply it after cleansing and before moisturizing. Allow a few minutes between each step.

Consult your family pharmacist or your beauty consultant to help you choose the right cleansing and moisturizing products. 

Choosing makeup products

The widespread belief that you should avoid wearing makeup if you suffer from acne is unfounded. That being said, it’s important to choose good quality, non-comedogenic beauty products or makeup. Some of the products found in the cosmetics department have properties that can even help you care for your acne-prone skin, such as concealing pores, redness or pimples.

Your beauty consultant can tell you all you need to know about beauty products and makeup to help you make informed choices, taking into account your acne.

Sun protection

If you’re the type of person who thinks tanning will help your acne, think again. While sun exposure may have a short-lived beneficial effect for some people, it’s a mistake to believe it will help eliminate your acne. In fact, the complete opposite is true! The sun’s rays actually dry your skin, which contributes to the problem. In certain cases, over-exposure to the sun can even cause a breakout.

It’s therefore in your best interest to protect your skin by applying a quality sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30 before spending any time in the sun. Once again, why not take advantage of your family pharmacist or your beauty consultant to help you choose the right product?

Adopting a healthy lifestyle

Your habits and lifestyle can either reduce or increase your risk of breakouts. Here are a few tips to lower your risk.

• Drink plenty of water.
• Make healthy and balanced food choices.
• Get enough sleep.
• Don’t smoke.
• Avoid stress.

All of the above will help you maintain a vibrant, flawless complexion, 365 days a year!

Pharmacy services

Do you have questions about acne? Talk to your family pharmacists. They can help you achieve healthy, radiant skin. They can prescribe* medications for certain minor health problems , including acne, when the treatment and diagnosis are already known. A consultation will also be required so the pharmacist can make sure you meet the prescribing criteria.

To avail yourself of this service, you may need to book an appointment with your family pharmacist. Ask a member of the pharmacy team for more details. Some Uniprix-affiliated pharmacies also offer an online appointment booking service. To locate the store nearest you providing this service, click here. 

*Certain conditions must be respected. Fees may apply. Ask a member of the pharmacy team for more information. Pharmacists alone are responsible for the practice of pharmacy. They offer related services only on behalf of pharmacist-owners.