There’s so much information out there about skincare for acne-prone skin that it’s easy to get overwhelmed (and sometimes just downright confused!) 

That’s why we wanted to take some time to shed some light on your most asked questions. From scary-sounding ingredients to creating the perfect routine, we are tackling it all!

Let’s talk about some of the most common skincare questions.

What is the correct order of a skincare routine?

The general rule of thumb for skincare is to apply products in order of thickness. If you are just starting out or want to keep things simple, stick to a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF in the morning, and then a cleanser and moisturizer at night.

If you want to up your game, add in a toner. You can use the toner after you cleanse, but before you moisturize. And if you want more details, check out this whole blog on starting a beginner skincare routine.

Should I really be using toner?

Toners aren’t necessary for everyone, but they do have some good benefits. Originally toners were used to balance the pH on your skin after you used a cleanser. Nowadays it's easy to find a pH balanced cleanser, so it’s no longer a necessary step. But toners can help remove excess dirt and debris that your cleanser may have missed, provide a gentle exfoliation, and help provide additional nutrients and supplements to your skin. 

So do you need toner? Not necessarily. But you might find the addition of a toner to be beneficial if you have oily or acne-prone skin. A gentle exfoliating toner like Dermala's Do Your TONE Thing will help control shine, unclog pores, and fade acne scars of the past. 

What exactly is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in our body and provides cushion and lubrication to our joints. It’s also commonly found in tofu and other soy products, citrus fruits, and certain vegetables. When added topically, hyaluronic acid can massively help your skin’s ability to retain moisture. It can absorb up to 100 times its weight in water, which has multiple benefits. From strengthening your skin’s protective barrier to keeping skin cells plump and glowing, well-hydrated skin is incredibly important for your skin health.

What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is found naturally in many plants, including willow bark. It is a natural organic compound that is molecularly aligned to easily penetrate through the top skin cells. And this means it can get deep into pores to get to work. Once it’s deep in our skin, it can clean, reduce inflammation, exfoliate, and decrease sebum production (overproduction of sebum can cause oily skin, so keeping this in check is super important). It's basically an essential everyday ingredient for those with acne or acne-prone skin.

Why should I use a hydrocolloid patch?

Hydrocolloid was originally designed to help wounds heal faster and more effectively. It was invented in the 1980s to create a moist environment by allowing a gel agent to draw out pus and fluid that is inside of a wound. In general, it’s agreed that a moist wound covering is more effective than a dry wound covering. 

But what does this have to do with skincare? Well, about a decade or two ago someone realized that this approach of a moist healing environment could be applied to acne. Afterall, when you have acne you have a small wound that is full of pus and dirt. 

Enter the hydrocolloid patch, which can target stubborn acne spots and draw out the gunk that is clogging and inflaming your pores. So if you have some stubborn acne that just won’t quit, give a hydrocolloid patch a whirl.

What is combination skin?

Dry skin and oily skin are fairly straightforward, but what is combination skin?  Combination skin is when part of your skin has some oily spots while some parts may be dry and flakey. In general, people with combination skin tend to have oily t zones, while their cheeks and the area around their hairline can get dry. 

Combination skin is pretty acne-prone, so it’s important to maintain a good skincare regimen and use the right products. Use an effective yet gentle daily cleanser and a lightweight daily moisturizer that can restore hydration to your skin and help balance and strengthen your skin barrier.

How can I get rid of acne for good?

Ah, the age-old question. There isn’t a straightforward answer that applies to everyone, because everyone’s skin is completely different. But in general, the following can help you on your path to clear skin:

• Create a consistent skincare routine, washing, treating, and moisturizing your face twice a day
• Use warm water when you wash your face
• Drink plenty of water 
• Use sunscreen daily
• Avoid scrubbing your skin
• Let your skin heal naturally (no picking! If that's a problem, use a patch!)

Since everyone’s skin is different, it’s helpful to get a personalized plan for your unique skin type. That’s why we created our #FOBO quiz (Fear Of Breaking Out) so you can find out exactly what your skin needs to stay clear and glowing.

What’s a microbiome, and what does it have to do with skincare?

Your microbiome is essentially your body’s ecosystem. Your body has a collection of bacteria – most of it good! – both inside of and on your body. And that bacteria does a TON of work to keep you healthy, including protecting you against germs and breaking down food to give you energy. The microbiome is the word used to describe all your body’s systems that have bacteria, from your skin to your gut and beyond.

When C. acnes (a.k.a. acne-causing bacteria) outgrows the good bacteria that lives on your skin, it can result in breakouts. And similarly, when bad bacteria in your gut is getting a little too plentiful, it can cause problems not just on the inside but on the outside, too. See, the microbiome in your gut actually affects your skin’s health. An imbalance of bacteria in your digestive system can cause inflammation throughout your body. When inflamed pores trap bacteria, it causes acne (deep, painful acne to boot, which can lead to scarring). 

Maintaining a balanced microbiome is so important for not only your skin’s health, but your overall health. That’s why we love incorporating a daily supplement into our routine that can keep the gut microbiome in check. Or adding in a probiotic cleanser is another way to ensure your little ecosystem is happy and healthy (and keep your skin clear and glowing!)

Those are your top skincare questions, asked and answered.

We hope this helped to clear up (pun intended) your skin questions and help you in your skincare journey!