So you have some acne - maybe a lot, but your story doesn't have to end there! There is so much we can do to help heal our skin, and while we all have certain knowledge that changing your diet does help, information on what to use on your skin is a bit murkier.
Could your face wash be making your acne worse? Yes. Yes. Yes it can! Firstly, most people look at what else they are using on their skin thinking this is what must be irritating . Well, news for you - it may not be. Often the reason you react to serums or treatment products is because you have left your skin without protection with your foamy, BHA, AHA , full-of-citrus face wash!
Facts! Using a Salicylic (or similar) wash on your face - for approximately 10 seconds - is not going to do anything for your acne/congestion. It just won't. What it will do is strip your lipid (yes, beautiful, natural oils) barrier that protects your skin and guess what? Your skin will just work overtime to produce more oil to compensate making your skin feel oilier than ever.
Not I'm not saying some people haven't had a good result in using BHA or AHA washes, good on you if that's you, but for the majority, you won't get the same results and your skin either gets worse or just doesn't improve. If you have acne, your skin is already compromised and more than likely, although you may not recognise it, it is also probably quite dry under all that oil.
So please treat your skin kindly and use a gentle cleanser, you can always get good quality gel cleansers or if you prefer a fabulous, nourishing cream cleanser. Give your skin a break and time to heal.
When you do change to a different cleanser, yes your skin can react! It takes about 6 weeks for your skin to begin to regulate itself again so while this can be tough - stick to it - your skin will thank you and over time you will see a noticeable difference.
For those with continuing congestion or acne, you should look at using a natural toner with regulating properties and definitely a clay mask, they are wonderful for spot treatments as well as for drawing and healing.
We have a fabulous, all natural, Gel Cleanser that won't strip your skin, clean really well and leaves your skin soft and hydrated. Check it out for a really good clean that won't comprimise your skin.