Added advice

Customers with acne or blemish-prone skin should be advised to:

• Cleanse their skin gently – avoid abrasive scrubs, astringents and oil-stripping masks. Skin should be cleansed twice daily with lukewarm water and a mild, soap-free cleanser
• Remove all make-up before going to bed and gently wash their skin after sweating

• Leave acne lesions alone – never pick, squeeze or pop pimples, blackheads or other lesions as this can make them worse and may lead to permanent scarring
• Avoid heavy, oily moisturisers that may block pores and make symptoms worse
• Look for products labelled ‘non-comedogenic’ as these are less likely to clog pores
• Be careful when shaving – it may be trial and error to see if a traditional or an electric razor works best
• Wash their hair regularly and try to prevent it from falling across their face
• Be cautious in the sun. A daily broad spectrum sunscreen should be used, especially as some acne treatments (e.g. benzoyl peroxide) can make the skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays and more likely to burn
• Use acne treatments as prescribed and persevere – allow at least eight weeks for skin to improve. Even if the skin clears, medication should be continued as advised to help prevent future breakouts
• Apply topical acne medication five to 10 minutes after cleansing and before applying make-up.