If you’ve got acne, you know it’s a tough job keeping the affected skin areas clean and oil-free to prevent more breakouts from happening. And if you’ve been to the supermarket or beauty shop, you also know it’s almost as challenging a task selecting the perfect acne cleanser for you. Here are a few steps you may take to help you with that:

First, be on the lookout for terms such as “non-comedogenic,” “non-irritating,” “non-overdrying,” and “oil-free.” Hopefully these words will greatly narrow down your selection. Read the label carefully. Just because it says it removes dirt and oil doesn’t mean it will do the job for you, especially because acne is different from your regular zit, blackhead, and whitehead.

Next, choose the form you like best. You might be surprised, but this bit is really up to you: Bar acne cleanser? Liquid? Foaming? Non-  foaming? Just as the color or the scent of the product will not matter, these forms are dependent on what you’re comfortable with, although consider that non-foaming cleansers and lotions cause less dryness. If acne treatments have already made your skin dry, these are advisable.

The third step would be best taken after consultation with your physician or dermatologist: deciding whether your cleanser should be medicated or non-medicated. Of course, to be on the safe side, non-medicated is ideal. But if you’d like to reduce breakouts and pore blockages, you can choose from benzoyl-peroxide-, sulfur-, and salicylic-acid-combined cleansers. If you’re not using acne treatment products, a medicated cleanser will be a good choice, although it can cause skin dryness. Doctor consultation is imperative if you plan on using one while already using other treatment products.

The fourth step is to pick an acne cleanser specifically made for your face, not your body. Skin is oilier, thinner, and more delicate on your face, neck area, down to the chest and back, so mere body soap wouldn’t be as effective as face soap. You will save yourself from a lot of episodes of skin irritation in the future if you follow this advice. 

Choosing among skin cleansers can be difficult, but if you’ve done your homework and you know what you’re looking for in particular, it should be easy as pie. Prioritize effectiveness of the product over price, although consider too that expensiveness does not necessarily mean optimal results. Happy shopping, and a clearer, cleaner skin to you!

So what causes blackheads? The skin produces oil called sebum. When bacteria and dead skin cells become trapped in the pores of the skin with the sebum, an infection occurs and the pore becomes clogged. If the pore is too large a layer of skin will not form over the infection. The top layer of this infection will be exposed to the air, causing it to oxidize and turn black. This is the tiny (or not so tiny) blackhead that we see on the surface of the skin.

So how do we prevent and treat blackheads? The first thing that one must do in order to prevent blackheads is reduce the amount of oil that is produced by the skin. When the skin is too oily it is easier for it to become clogged. In order to reduce the amount of oil the skin produces, one must change certain behaviors. People with oily skin tend to over-wash their face. This is the wrong way to go about things as it will cause the skin to produce more oil to compensate for the damage caused. You should never wash your skin to the point of irritation.

You should be sure to keep the skin clean to help reduce the formation of blackheads. Once again, this doesn’t mean to over-wash your face. When using skin cleansers be sure they are not too harsh for your skin. If you use something and notice drying out or flaking of the skin, either stop using the product or use it less often. Find a cleanser that is right for your skin type and stick with it. Not all cleansers are made equal.

Blackheads are a very common skin affliction. Sometimes they can ruin an entire complexion. With the proper care and treatment they can be dealt with and eliminated. All it takes is the proper skin care regimen and the commitment to it. Find the right cleanser that will work for you and use it at the same time each day and night. Don’t over-wash your skin because that will hurt it more than help it. It is absolutely possible to have great skin without spending a fortune on products. One of the best cleansers you can use is simply soap and water.