by Alexandra Nicole Nuralam

The Acne Skincare Routine with Paula’s Choice

A good skincare routine is important when you’re prone to breakouts. Your daily skincare regimen can help to keep pores clear and help speed healing of existing blemishes.

With so many products available and so much information on the Internet, creating a skincare routine for acne-prone skin can seem daunting. But, there’s no need to invest in expensive products and your daily skincare routine for acne doesn’t need to be complex to be effective.

Here’s a quick review of an acne prevention skincare routine with Paula’s Choice, ingredients you should incorporate for blemish-free skin and some tips to keep in mind while shopping for products.

Beauty begins with truth — Paula’s Choice is all about smart, safe beauty. After struggling with acne and eczema for years, founder Paula Begoun became determined to find a solution of her own and create a more straightforward line of skincare. Her eponymous range has everything from exfoliants and moisturizers to high-performing retinols and antioxidants; each of them effective, safe and backed by cited research. 

Look for ‘non-comedogenic’ labels and avoid harsh formulas

It’s important to make sure the labels say oil-free and non-comedogenic when you’re picking out products. Non-comedogenic products are formulated in a way that avoids breakouts or clogs pores. Some specific ingredients to look out for include lanolin, shea butter, almond oil, and sodium chloride. There’s quite a hefty list of ingredients that are considered pore-cloggers, so be sure to do your research.

As for what to avoid? Anything aggressive. Harsh or abrasive products can damage your skin barrier and result in severe irritation. For exfoliants, opt for chemical formulas, such as alpha-hydroxy acids or salicylic acid.

The Acne Skincare Routine

Cleanse well

Thoroughly cleanse your face, including your jawline and neck. Make sure you’re using the right cleanser for your skin. Look for cleansers that contain either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide if you have mild breakouts.

If you wear makeup or if you’ve just had a workout, do a double cleanse. This ensures you get rid of all traces of makeup, sweat, and dirt every night.

Use toner

After cleansing, apply a toner to open up the pores after cleansing. Toners prepare the skin for the next step so it can fully absorb subsequent products. For acne-prone skin, look for ingredients such as chamomile or green tea for extra hydration, or glycolic or salicylic acid for exfoliating effects.

Target skin concerns with treatment products

This step in your routine is where the work truly happens. Treatment products are the powerhouse of any skincare routine, and they should contain some active ingredients that help target your skin issues. Skincare ingredients like retinol, AHAs and BHAs are great as they help unclog pores by increasing cell turnover. If you suffer from acne scars, Vitamin C will be your best friend — it lightens scars and brightens the skin for an even-toned glow.

Another skincare ingredient we love is niacinamide; it helps fight acne by reducing inflammation and dark spots.

Hydrate with a moisturizer

Next? Remember to seal everything in with a moisturizer. Since acne treatments tend to dry out the skin, a good moisturizer becomes doubly important in your routine. A tip to keep in mind? Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, and go with a gel-based, oil-free option.

Alternatively, you can swap out your moisturizer for a hydrating sleeping mask to give your skin a boost. This one from Paula’s Choice has ingredients like reishi mushrooms and cloudberry to calm skin and reduce redness.