What is double cleansing? Please suggest a skincare routine for me.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Having gone through the history provided from your end, the skincare routine for acne-prone skin depends on multiple conditions, including the presence or absence of current acne lesions, post-acne hyperpigmentation and inflammatory reactions which is present, skin type, grading of acne from mild to severe, the frequency of sebum secretion and also any underlying medical conditions which leads to the formation of acne including PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) in case of females. Before starting a skincare routine for acne-prone skin, it is very important to understand the cause of acne and how they are formed. Acne vulgaris, also called acne, is an inflammatory reaction along with a buildup of the normal bacterial commensal present in one's skin triggered and formed due to alterations in the sebum formation and secretion and are usually triggered by external as well as internal factors. Multiple factors include genetic susceptibility, wherein there is a family history of a similar condition among parents or ancestors and are usually genetically transmitted due to hormonal imbalances, especially in the levels of androgens due to multiple factors, of which PCOS among females is the most common. PCOS is a condition where there is an imbalance in the androgen level as well as other female hormones resulting in the formation of symptoms, including acne, hair loss, and excess unwanted hair growth, with the presence or absence of menstrual irregularities. Therefore, it is always advised to seek a direct consultation with a gynecologist to rule out the presence of PCOS, as it is important to manage the root cause of acne to prevent its recurrence. The other factors which result in the formation of acne include climate changes, excess sweating, stress, and dietary changes wherein there is an increase in intake of oily and fried food, sweets, red meat, milk, and dairy products, due to certain medications for any underlying medical condition and due to skin care products with unusual ingredients which later trigger the formation of acne by changing the keratin outer layer of the skin and altering the sebum formation. Therefore, a skincare routine for acne-prone skin is usually not advised in the presence of current and active acne. Since it is difficult to provide a proper and appropriate management plan for your concern in the absence of an image, I would like to advise you to provide an image attached to the image option in the query section provided for inspection, assessment of the severity of acne, assessment of presence and absence of acne, and further assessment to provide an appropriate management plan accordingly. Apart from the above, I would also like to know the presence of any previous history of PCOS or any other medical condition or allergies resulting in acne formation. In addition, kindly include details of genetic or other triggering factors which has been mentioned above and any other medications which have been taken previously for any medical conditions or acne as well. To give you a brief idea of the ingredients which are best suited for acne-prone skin, I would like to help you with the same. However, to provide further details of the brand names and the medication which is apt for your skin type based on the assessment which needs to be conducted following the inspection of the image, I would like to request you share an image of the affected area if possible.

1. Glycolic acid and Salicylic acids. These are alpha and beta hydroxy acids, which help with light peeling of the skin and deep penetration into the acne, reducing this even production and helping with acne. Glycolic acid and salicylic acids are available in the form of face washes, creams, gels, toners, and chemical peels, which are procedures done on the skin by a dermatologist in sessions to reduce sebum secretion and two reduce the chances of acne formation.

2. Clindamycin and Benzoyl peroxide are antibacterial agents that are available in the form of creams, gels, and ointments which may be used locally on the acne spots to reduce their appearance and to shrink the acne by their antibacterial properties and by regularizing the sebum production.

3. Adapalene, Tretinoin, and azelaic acid are stronger agents. I usually use in case of severe art name which may be locally applied as well as maybe used in the form of chemical peels, toners, gels, creams, and in combination with antibiotic gels as well to reduce the inflammation and swelling, which is associated with severe acne and also helps in reducing the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation which comes once the acne has been reduced and also in case of habitual picking of acne.

4. Multivitamins in the form of zinc and collagen are also present to reduce acne's appearance and manage acne when present.

5. Ascorbic acid or vitamin C in a serum, creams, gels, and oral medication are also available to reduce the formation of acne and irregular sebum production. They also act as an antioxidant, thereby protecting the skin from the recurrence of acne. They also help in reducing any post-acne hyperpigmentation which has been formed.

6. Oral antibiotics and vitamin A derivatives are also available, usually used depending on the severity of acne and the post-acne responses. They are usually taken for a shorter period and may have to be repeated in case of recurrence.

7. At-home remedies by avoiding oily and fried food, milk and dairy products, sweets, and red meat must be avoided to reduce the recurrences of acne and to regularize the sebum production, leading to oily skin. In addition, it is always advised to include more fruits, vegetables, fiber, and at least ten glasses of water per day in 250 ml class size to maintain hydration and two regularize the sebum production which is one of the main factors leading to oily skin and formation of acne.

As I have mentioned above, most of these ingredients or contents are present in medications and skin care products, which helps reduce the formation of acne. However, the severity of acne needs to be assessed before providing a detailed management plan in the form of skin care products or medications, be it topical or oral medication, to reduce the formation of acne for clearing oily skin and reducing sebum production. Kindly revert to the image for further assessment and for the management plan, including medications in the form of topical and oral medication and the different procedures which are available for treating acne. I would be happy to help. Hope the details provided above has been informative and did provide clarity.