Caring for Sensitive Acne Prone Skin Inside and Out

If you’re struggling with redness, blemishes, and irritation, you know how difficult it can be to figure out the best skincare for sensitive acne prone skin, particularly with so many products promising miracles. Here are some tips to help you figure out your ideal routine and ingredients.

Minimize exposure to triggers

Identifying and minimizing exposure to your personal acne triggers helps you make the most of your skincare routine. While each person’s skin is different, we know that the sun’s UV rays and common toxins in our modern environment often worsen acne breakouts.

Dermatologists recommend wearing broad spectrum 30SPF sunscreen daily to protect against UV irritation and damage. You should also cleanse skin at least twice a day to remove any chemical build-up.

Stick with gentle ingredients

Many acne-focused products are too harsh for sensitive skin. Salicylic acid, for example, is effective for moisture balancing but higher concentrations (such as those used in acne spot treatments) can simply make matters worse. Retinol is a similar case. This form of vitamin A stimulates collagen growth and cell turnover, which is why it’s commonly found in anti-aging formulations, but often irritates sensitive skin.

When assessing the best skin care for sensitive acne prone skin, look for milder ingredients like:

• Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Already present in our skin, HA attracts water and carries it into skin for improved hydration
• Soothing botanical extracts: Some plants have excellent calming and anti-inflammatory properties. Popular skin care choices include rose, calendula (marigold), and chamomile.
• Panthenol: This quickly converts to vitamin B5 in the skin, which attracts water and promotes healing of blemishes and scars.
• Vitamin E: Softens and strengthens the skin barrier for improved skin performance.

Remember that antioxidants can be the best skincare for sensitive acne prone skin

Many people are still unaware of one particularly concerning trigger: oxidative stress, which occurs when the body is overwhelmed by free radicals. Free radicals are by-products of cell reactions and internal responses to trauma from illness or injury that can attack cell DNA and disrupt normal functions. Studies have linked oxidative stress to a long list of health problems, including acne.

Antioxidants Limit Oxidative Stress

Antioxidants protect cells by neutralizing free radicals. This helps us avert consequences of oxidative stress like premature skin aging, acne, and rosacea before they can start.

Glutathione (GSH) is a particularly important antioxidant since it not only fights free radicals but also helps regulate cell functions and recycles both itself and other antioxidants so they can keep working for us. 

And its many benefits for skin are clear in research. For example, studies have linked decreased glutathione with more severe acne while supplementing GSH reduced symptoms in patients with psoriasis. 

Getting More Antioxidants For Your Skin

The main way to increase antioxidants is through diet, since our bodies absorb antioxidants and their building blocks through food. (Check out Auro founder Dr. Nayan Patel’s comprehensive guide Glutathione Revolution for more on this.) 

Fortunately for us, antioxidants can also pull double duty when added to skincare products. Vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin C are popular skincare allies but glutathione shines here, too. In fact, transdermal formulations like Auro’s patented Skin Protocol are the most effective way for your body to absorb extra GSH, which makes it easy to improve your skin and your overall health in one easy step.

Modern lifestyles and pollution can make it difficult to find the best skincare for sensitive acne-prone skin. But avoiding triggers and sticking with gentle, effective ingredients like antioxidants will help you improve your skin both inside and out!