5-Step Acne Skincare Routine for Beginners

Beginning a skincare routine when you have acne-prone skin can be a very overwhelming task that requires utmost attention and proper consideration whether this actually suits your skin or not. A basic skincare acne routine is very crucial to manage the defense barrier of the skin.

An effective 5-step routine for acne care should be simple, affordable and easy to be followed on a daily basis. In this blog, you’ll find the beginner-friendly skincare routine for morning & evening that is basically designed to target the acne in the most gentle and effective way without damaging the barrier. 

Why Is Acne Skincare Routine for Beginners Important?

• Enhances the pleasant skin feel with a refreshed as well as cleared barrier.
• Aids the natural repair process of the skin.
• Supports the management of environmental skin damage. 
• Removes the accumulated debris of pollutants, dirt, sweat, excess oils and makeup from the skin.
• Regulates the microbiome of the skin gently.
• Reduces the comedones and active pimples on skin.
• Controls excessive natural oil / sebum on the skin.
• Minimizes the recurring pimples on the barrier.
• Aids by improving the skin cell turnover. 
• Restores the hydration of the skin.
• Reinforces the natural moisture barrier of the skin.
• Helps in decongestion of the pores.
• Reduces the oxidative stress on skin due to environmental stressors.

Morning Vs Evening Skincare Routine For Beginners With Acne

Step By Step Application Guide For Beginner Acne Routine

Morning Routine

First Step Is Cleanser

This is basically the foundational step of the routine for beginners with acne that involves the removal of debris of: 

• Pollutants
• Dirt
• Dead Skin Cells
• Sweat
• Oils
• Bacteria
• Makeup Residue

These may accumulate and get entrapped on the skin which needs ultimate deep cleansing action. It also helps in regulating the oils on the skin and additionally promotes the decongestion of pores to minimize comedones and active pimples.

Direction For Using A Cleanser On Skin Prone To Breakouts:

• First, you need to wet your face with water.
• Then, take a little amount of face wash in your palms.
• Rub nicely to make a rich lather.
• Apply it on the face. 
• Massage gently on the acne-prone skin.
• Rinse your face well with water.
• Pat the skin dry using a clean and soft face towel.
  

Top Picks For Cleanser For Morning Acne Routine:

• Alite Neem Face Wash With Aloe Vera & Niacinamide
• Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant
• Chemist At Play 2% Salicylic Acid Oil & Acne Control Face Wash
• Mamaearth Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash With Salicylic Acid
• Alite Anti-Acne Oil Control Face Wash
• Dot & Key Cica Calming Blemish Clearing Face Wash
  

Second Step Is Toner

It helps to restore the acid mantle post-cleansing process. It maintains a natural moisture barrier to protect the skin from irritation. 

A toner can be used according to any of 3 methods mentioned below:

        1.Spray technique--Shake up your toner bottle thoroughly then apply it to your face            uniformly covering the area around your eyes.

         2.Cotton pad method--Apply some amount of toner onto a cotton pad then gently            rub this product on your face with care for those areas that are prone to developing           acne.

          3. Applying with fingers

1. Clean your hands.

2. Put some amount of liquid toner on your hand.

3. Rub your palms together to spread toner on fingertips.

4. Gently pat your fingertips to apply toner on skin.

Top Picks For Acne-Prone Skin Toners

• Plum Rice Water & Niacinamide 3% Toner
• Plum Green Tea Alcohol-Free Toner
• Pilgrim Tea Tree Purifying Toner
• Dot & Key Watermelon SuperGlow Pore Tightening Toner
• Cetaphil Soothing & Comforting CICA Balancing Toner
• Biotique Cucumber Pore Tightening Toner
  

Third Step Is Gel 

Gel penetrates deeply to tackle acne by delivering active ingredients that are designed specifically towards this purpose along with strengthening your skin’s natural protective layer (barrier). It is also easy-to-use for applications that need minimal effort for a beginner. 

To Use A Gel

• Apply some gel to your fingers
• Massage gently to ensure full absorption on face

Top Picks Of Gel For Acne Care

• Alite Anti-Acne Gel
• CeraVe Blemish Control Gel
• Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel
• Ponds Hydra Miracle Super Light Gel with Hyaluronic Acid & Salicylic Acid
• Lotus Botanicals Neem Tulsi & Salicylic Acid Anti-Acne Purifying Face Gel
  

Fourth Step Is Moisturizer

Moisturizer offers deep moisture as well as barrier support as well as actives that provide the barrier with gentle effective acne treatment.

How to Use A Moisturiser

• Apply a pea-sized amount to the face.
• Gently massage over the face.

Popular Options For Moisturizer For Morning Skincare

• The Derma Co 1% Salicylic Acid Oil-Free Moisturizer
• Dot & Key Ceramides & Hyaluronic Barrier Repair Moisturizer
• Ponds Hydra Miracle Super Light Gel with Hyaluronic Acid & Salicylic Acid
• Foxtale Oil Balancing Moisturizer with Niacinamide
• Hyphen Moisturizer for Oily to Combination Skin 2% Cica Exosomes & 5% Niacinamide

Final Step Is Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the final step that protects the skin from oxidative damage and shields the barrier from the UV radiations. It should be non-greasy as well as non-comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

Directions For Use

• Take a generous amount of sunscreen on your fingers
• Massage it gently all over your face
• Ensure it leaves no white cast or residue on the skin

Best Options For Sunscreen For Beginners With Acne-Prone Skin

• Meglow Sun Protection Lotion SPF-50 Lightweight, Broad Spectrum Protection Against UVA & UVB
• Leeford Sunshade Ultra Block Lotion SPF50 – Daily UVA/UVB Shield
• Lacto Calamine Lightweight Sunscreen SPF50 PA +++  With Lemon Extracts
• Dot & Key Cica Calming Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ With Niacinamide
• Plum Green Tea & Zinc Super-Matte SPF50 Sunscreen Gel For Oily, Combination Skin
  

Evening Routine

First Step Is Double Cleansing 

This step involves: 

Cleansing I With the micellar water and a cotton pad to clear the makeup from the skin.

Cleansing II With a gentle face wash that removes the debris of pollutants, dirt, sweat, excess oils and residual makeup from the skin.

Top Picks For The Micellar Water 

• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
• Bioderma Sebium H2O
• Lacto Calamine Micellar Cleansing Water
• Swiss Beauty Bi-Phased Micellar Water
  

Top Recommendations For Cleansers For Evening Acne Care Routine

• Alite Anti-Acne Face Wash
• Alite Foaming Face Wash
• Himalaya Pollution Detox Charcoal Face Wash
• Mamaearth Face Wash with Activated Charcoal & Coffee for Oil Control
• Dr. Sheth's Foaming Face Wash with Neem & Salicylic Acid
• Pilgrim Tea Tree Purifying Gel Face Wash
• Dot & Key Cica 2% Salicylic Acid Anti Acne Face Wash

Second Step Is Toner

Apply a toner with skin-friendly pH to restore the acid mantle in a very gentle as well as soothing manner. The toner should be:

• Designed light-weight in texture.
• Made with non-irritating ingredients.
• Having a non-greasy formula.
• Must be non-comedogenic.
• Providing the barrier with soothing action.
  

Third Step Is Serum

Serum is important for your skin care as it helps deliver powerful active ingredients directly onto your face without any hassle at all. It should be

• Light in weight
• Non-irritant
• Non-comedogenic
• Gentle on skin
• Safe for regular use

Anti-acne serums are basically aimed at

• Barrier repair
• Hydration
• Mild exfoliation
• Acne care
• Skin brightening
  

Top Choices For A Good Serum For Acne-Prone Skin

• Plum Black Rice and Niacinamide TXA 10% Night Clarity Jelly Serum
• Foxtale 0.15% Encapsulated Retinol Night Serum
• Minimalist 5% Niacinamide Face Serum
• Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum
  

How to Use Serum

• Put some drops of serum on your hand.
• Rub your hands together to spread the serum.
• Gently massage the serum on your skin.
  

Fourth Step Is Hydrating Gel

A gel moisturizer is a very light in weight skincare product that deeply hydrates your skin without leaving a greasy residue on the skin. 

Directions For Use

• Take a small amount of the anti-acne gel
• Massage it gently on the face over the affected areas
  

Top Picks For Acne Care Gel Moisturizers

• Alite Anti-Acne Gel With Niacinamide
• Plum Green Tea Renewed Clarity Night Gel
• Lotus Botanicals Natural Green Tea Hydradetox Soothing Night Gel
• Lacto Calamine Night Gel with Green Tea

Final Step Is Barrier Repair Moisturizer

Deep hydration and barrier support combined with actives that replenish the barrier and gently and effectively address acne with the help of a targeted moisturizer for acne-prone skin. It is very simple to apply on a daily basis in a simple acne routine. 

Top Product Recommendations

• Alite Spots Reduction Cream With Niacinamide & Tranexamic Acid
• Plix Jamun Active Acne Moisturizer
• L'Oreal Paris Glycolic Bright Glowing Night Cream
• Plum Bright Years Restorative Overnight Creme
  

Points To Consider

Here are the main points that you should keep in mind for acne-prone skin:

• You should not sleep with makeup on your face. Perform double cleansing, application of anti-acne gel and barrier repair moisturizer for your minimal skincare before going to bed. 
• Avoid the use of harsh exfoliators such as jaggy microparticles of apricot and walnut shells. Instead, use a gentle exfoliating scrub such as Alite Neem Face Scrub.
• Do not perform over-cleansing of the skin as it can strip away the natural moisture barrier of the skin.
• You should use a toner after the regular cleansing to restore the hydration as well as the pH balance of the skin barrier.
• You should not neglect the use of a moisturizer to support the skin with deep hydration as well as protect it from the environmental irritants with additional skin-calming feel.
• Do not pop / pick the skin prone to breakouts as it may aggravate the inflammation on skin with the spread of infection.
• Maintain consistency in your anti-acne regimen. You can also go for Acne-Free Glowing Combo for your beginner-friendly easy routine. 
• Avoid frequent switching of the skincare products with potent and powerful active ingredients that may purge the skin. Introduce them to your acne care regime gradually.
• Reduce the usage of comedogenic cosmetics  / skincare products on the skin that may promote the congestion of the pores affecting the beginner acne routine in adverse manner.
• Focus on maintaining hygiene and cleanliness for your personal use items such as pillowcases, towels, phone screen, head gear etc.
• Using sunscreen that is non-comedogenic and doesn’t leave a white cast with broad spectrum protection while going out in the sun is a non-negotiable step for your morning routine. 
• Visit a doctor immediately if you have persisting moderate to severe acne, inflammation, redness, irritation, swelling, itching on bumps, painful pimples, post-acne marks and scarring for a prolonged period of time.