Dear LovelySkin, Should I exfoliate my acne? -Anonymous

When you have a painful breakout, even the idea of scrubbing your blemishes can be painful. You should exfoliate your complexion if you have acne but you should choose gentle formulas that won’t cause unnecessary aggravation. 

Clogged pores and buildup of dead skin cells, oil, dirt and debris can aggravate acne and prevent blemishes from properly healing. Regular exfoliation removes this buildup and unclogs pores to reduce the appearance of breakouts. Exfoliation can also help fade the appearance of acne scars and discoloration left behind after a breakout. 

One way to incorporate exfoliation into your routine is to use a cleanser with exfoliating ingredients daily. LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser contains 2% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid, which are chemical exfoliants that help unclog pores and remove debris. 

If you prefer a physical exfoliant, use a gentle formula such as La Roche-Posay Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub two to three times a week. The formula contains micronized powders to remove debris and create a softer, smoother texture. Because the particles are so finely milled, they will not aggravate red or inflamed breakouts. 

Another way to incorporate exfoliation into your routine is to use an exfoliating treatment daily. LovelySkin Acne Care Gel contains amino fruit acids that offer gentle exfoliation. The formula reduces the appearance of blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads. 

When you are experiencing an active breakout, you may need an extra boost of exfoliation to help clear your complexion. You can spot treat areas with Glycolix ELITE Gly-Sal 2-2 Acne Medicated Pads. Both glycolic and salicylic acids in these pre-soaked pads remove oil, bacteria and debris to unclog pores. This allows skin to heal properly and the blemishes to fade more quickly. 

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