- Acne-prone skin? This cleanser is a MUST in your routine.
A cleanser is often one of the most overlooked components of a skincare routine, but it should not be. And if you have oily skin a facial cleanser with salicylic acid should be in your routine. Proper cleansing sets the stage for the rest of your skincare routine. If you are skipping the cleansing step or under-cleansing, this can lead to a build-up in your pores. The build-up in your pores will actively work against any issues you try to fix with your skincare routine. If you over cleanse you can strip your skin and lead to barrier damage. Additionally, cleansing with the wrong type of cleanser for your skin can be dehydrating or feel unclean.
All of these things are factors to consider when selecting a cleanser. However picking a cleanser should not overwhelm you. And once you find a good cleanser you are set for a while. As someone with acne-prone skin a great facial cleanser for acne-prone skin is CRITICAL for my skincare routine. And after ruining many a towel and washcloth with benzoyl peroxide I decided to switch it up. The La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash is now my go-to facial cleanser with salicylic acid.
What Makes Skin Acne Prone?
For every person, the reason for acne-prone skin can be different. And it is a myth that as soon as you are done with puberty you will not get acne anymore. For some people, God’s favorites, this is true; however, for most others, this is not the case. Acne can be linked to bacteria or build up in your pores. However it can also be related to stress, genetics, and hormones. Visiting a dermatologist to understand what triggers your acne is a good idea, and while you are managing your breakouts a facial cleanser with acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can be helpful.
Salicylic Acid vs. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two ingredients that are widely used for acne-prone skin. A facial cleanser with salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide is a common staple in most brands’ product lines for people with oily or acne-prone skin. Benzoyl peroxide is a great antibacterial ingredient because it kills bacteria by reacting with their membranes. However, one drawback of benzoyl peroxide is that it can bleach things. Your towels, clothes, and anything else that comes in contact with it will get bleached. Once you are tired of that a facial cleanser with salicylic acid only could be a good alternative.
The biggest difference between benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid is that benzoyl peroxide works actively on acne-causing bacteria, while salicylic acid helps to clean out pores. If you want to address active breakouts, a facial cleanser with salicylic acid is probably not going to meet your needs. My breakouts are typically cyclical. I do have oily skin so I can get acne at any time. However because they are connected to my hormones some times of the month are worse than others. The La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash with 2% salicylic acid helps me stay ahead of getting whiteheads and blackheads. It is definitely is not a magic cure. I do still get breakouts, but my skin get angry with me when I do not use it. I can tell when I am trying other cleansers and not getting my daily dose of salicylic acid.
Things I Loved About the Facial Cleanser
- I have oily skin and preventing breakouts is at the forefront of my skincare routine. Fighting pigmentation and discoloration starts with preventing the breakouts from happening. I can tell the difference in my skin and breakouts when I am or am not using this cleanser daily.
- I love that it is not a moisturizing cleanser, but is more stripping. Due to my oily skin, I do like to the squeaky clean feeling on my skin. It makes me feel like my skin has been cleansed of all of the oils and dirt from the day.
- There is a scent but it is not overpowering. The scent comes from the menthol that is in the product. The smell is refreshing and it does not make my skin tingle.
Things to Be Mindful Of
- This is a cleanser that leaves your skin feeling clean and stripped. If you do not like that feeling after cleansing this may not be the cleanser for you.
- Salicylic acid is an exfoliant, do not over-exfoliate by incorporating too many acids into your routine. On days that I use a higher percentage of glycolic acid, I will use a more gentle cleanser and forgo my cleanser with salicylic acid.
- Moisturize and replenish. After using this stripping cleanser make sure you rehydrate your skin. Use water or a toner and a moisturizer to lock in the water.
Incorporating a Facial Cleanser with Salicylic Acid into Your Routine
People often focus a lot of attention in their routine on the actives and serums, but a good cleanser really is the foundation of a skincare routine. You do not have to do anything special with this cleanser. It is a water-based cleanser so if you have an oil cleanser, cleansing balm, or gel cleanser you should use the La Roch Posay Effaclar Medicate Face Wash after the oil-based cleanser. On the bottle, it instructs you to create a rich lather before applying it to your skin and this does make a difference. When I use the cleanser I find that it is less stripping when I lather it in my hands before putting it on my face.