Blogarrowhow-to-care-for-acne-prone-skin

How to Care for Acne-Prone Skin

Publish Date: May 10, 2025 • Written by: Marketing

black woman getting facial treatments

According to research, about 90.7% of Nigerian teens and nearly one in five Nigerian women over 25 still struggle with acne annually. Breakouts are very common, especially in Nigeria, where environmental factors can easily trigger them on your skin. Beyond the physical bumps, acne can affect self-esteem, especially when social pressures surrounding “perfect” skin intensify.

Over the next few minutes, you’ll learn clear, practical steps tailored to Nigeria’s climate, budget-friendly product picks, and skincare routines to help you clear breakouts, prevent new ones, and rebuild confidence in your skin.

What is Acne-Prone Skin?

Acne develops due to specific skin characteristics, environmental factors, hormonal changes, and certain lifestyle habits. It is formed when your dead skin and excess oil (sebum) are clogged in your skin follicles. If you have acne-prone skin, it means your skin is wired to clog very easily and experience a cycle of breakouts at the slightest change. Here are a few things you need to know about your skin type:

  • Excess oil (sebum) production on your skin may be a result of more sebaceous (oil) glands compared to other skin types. This oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria to form comedones, such as whiteheads and blackheads, or inflamed pustules. Sebum overproduction is powered by:
    • Hormonal triggers like menstrual cycles, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), or stress.
    • Genes and heredity. If your mother or sister battled breakouts, you might have inherited oilier skin.
  • The climate and environment in many parts of Nigeria, especially in areas with high humidity and heat, provide a favourable environment for acne-causing bacteria. Dust and other hazardous matter in air pollution can also settle on your skin, clog pores, and cause inflammation.
  • Lifestyle habits, such as diet, work and sleep patterns, and the use of makeup and hair products, can either worsen your susceptibility to acne or improve your chances of staying free from it.
  • Beneath your skin, there is a community of microorganisms that regulate your skin and improve its health. When you disrupt their works by over-cleansing, using harsh actives, or antibiotics, you cause an imbalance between the “good” and “bad” bacteria, which leads to flare-ups.

The Best Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

Dealing with acne is not rocket science. The “secret” weapon for acne is a clear, effective, and consistent morning and evening routine; there's no need for a complicated 10-step routine. Also, every acne case lives and dies in your daily habits: what you eat and drink, how exposed your body is, your reaction, and what you apply to your skin (makeup, products, and more).

Morning Routine

1. Cleanse Gently: Your morning cleansing routine starts with using a pH-balanced, non-foaming or lightly foaming cleanser. This helps wash away the excess oil and sweat accumulated overnight. Look for sulphate-free formulas, such as CeraVe Foaming Cleanser and La Roche-Posay Effaclar.

2. Targeted Treatment: Now, you want to address the real issue here (acne). Apply a thin layer of salicylic acid serum or niacinamide to unclog pores and calm redness. Add these products to only the active zones (forehead, nose, chin) to avoid over‑drying the rest of your face. Examples of acne treatment products include The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave-On Mask, and CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM

3. Moisturize with Light Weight Moisturizer: Oily skin needs hydration just as other skin types do. Choose an oil-free, non‑comedogenic lotion or gel with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to lock in moisture without clogging pores. Examples of such products include: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel and CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.

4. Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: The final step of your morning routine should be applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays and prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Evening Routine

1. Remove your makeup: Start with an oil-free water or cleansing balm to gently dissolve your makeup and sunscreen.

2. Second Cleanse: Repeat your morning cleanser to ensure a truly clean canvas.

3. Apply Active Treatments: Rotate retinoids (like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene 0.1% Gel, 2–3 times a week) with benzoyl peroxide (like Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment) or azelaic acid (like Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster) on alternative nights.

4. Rich Moisture Support: If your skin feels tight, use a slightly richer, non-comedogenic cream. Repair your skin overnight with peptides or niacinamide boosts.

Lifestyle Factors Affecting Acne

Your skincare routine matters a lot, but ignoring your lifestyle choices and patterns renders it useless. Acne isn’t skin-deep alone; it is also connected to your daily habits, and understanding these links can help your routine work better and provide longer-lasting results.

Here are a few things to take note of to improve your lifestyle and reduce the acne on your phone:

1. Diet: What You Eat Shows Up on Your Skin

There’s growing evidence that certain foods can worsen acne by triggering inflammation, hormonal changes, or increased oil production.

Food that may trigger include:

  • Dairy (especially milk) is linked to hormonal imbalances that can worsen acne.
  • High-glycemic foods, such as white bread, rice, sugary snacks, and soft drinks, spike blood sugar, which can increase oil production.
  • Greasy or fried foods: Not always a direct cause, but they can disrupt gut health, which affects your skin.

Try these instead:

  • Anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, turmeric, and omega-3-rich fish.
  • Plenty of fruits, veggies, and fibre to support gut health.

2. Stress: When Pressure Shows Up on Your Face

Stress affects your mood and disrupts your hormones. Abnormally high levels of stress hormones can increase oil production and inflammation, which can worsen acne.

Some stress management strategies include:

  • Daily movement, even if it's 15 minutes of walking.
  • Journaling, prayer, or meditation.
  • Staying connected with supportive friends or online communities.
  • Setting boundaries around work, school, or social commitments.

3. Exercise and Sweat

This might sound weird, but let’s discuss it. It’s true that regular exercise boosts circulation and reduces stress, both of which are great for your skin. But what you might not know is that sweat sitting on your face too long or dirty gym equipment can clog pores.

Here are a few tips to handle this appropriately:

  • Always cleanse your face after workouts
  • Use a clean towel during exercise.
  • Avoid wearing heavy makeup to the gym.
  • Clean gym equipment before use.

4. Sleep

Here is a simple formula that must always be remembered:

Lack of sleep = increased cortisol = more breakouts.

Your skin regenerates overnight, and poor sleep disrupts this healing process, so it is good to aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and clean your pillowcases (change 2–3 times weekly).

5. Hydration

Most of the time, skin issues are from within, and water is one of the solutions to these internal problems. Drinking enough water helps regulate your skin's function from within and also prevents the skin from dullness, oil overproduction, and struggles to heal. Adding fruits with high water content, like watermelon, cucumber, or oranges, to meals also helps support water and makes the skin healthier.

What Makeup and Cosmetics can Someone with Acne-Prone Skin Use?

Having acne doesn’t mean you must ditch makeup and cosmetics; it just means choosing the right products wisely. To enhance your looks without being a victim of continuous breakouts, use non-comedogenic and oil-free formulas, skin-friendly products, and clean tools.

  • Non-comedogenic products: Foundations and concealers labelled as “non-comedogenic” were formulated so as not to cause blocked pores. Brands like Zaron, Sleek, and Beyond Medplus’s curated imports offer lightweight, breathable products.
  • Skin-friendly ingredients: Products that contain niacinamide, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide are greatly important. Niacinamide and zinc oxide help calm inflammation and regulate oil production, while titanium dioxide provides gentle, acne-safe sun protection.
  • Best application practices: Less is more; use cosmetics and makeup moderately. Wash sponges and brushes after use with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser to prevent dead skin and bacteria from starting a new breakout process.

When Should I Seek Professional Help?

Before you seek professional help, you need to check your lifestyle choices and treatment. But if over-the-counter treatments and lifestyle tweaks haven’t improved your acne after 6–8 weeks, then it’s time to seek professional help. Other signs that you need to seek professional help include:

  • Persistent breakouts.
  • Severe or painful lesions.
  • Acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.
  • Hormonal flare-ups

Conclusion

Having acne-prone skin is not the end of the world. We understand the emotional and mental breakdown it can take, but with proper knowledge and products, you can address the issue appropriately and get a clean, clear skin. Stay patient, stay consistent, and don’t hesitate to seek professional support when needed.

Remember to boost your journey with confidence; use our guide and shop at any Beyond Medplus stores to get guidance every step of the way.