Elevate Your Acne-Fighting With this Exfoliation Routine

Exfoliation has long been a key recommendation by dermatologists for those with oily or acne-prone skin. While exfoliation has major benefits for every skin type, for oily skin you’ll be looking for exfoliation that targets texture, purifies and cleans out pores, helps resolve and prevent breakouts, as well as addressing post-acne marks too. Sounds like a tall order, right? Well, thanks to the new generation of skincare actives formulated into pro-level products that are safe and effective for at-home use, you can now add more elevated exfoliation options into your daily, weekly, and monthly skincare ritual. It's all down to what you use, when you use it, and keeping it going for the long haul.

“Adult acne can stem from not having the right skincare routine or knowing how to treat your skin,” explains Dr. Nina Desai, board-certified dermatologist. “And, it’s not just about what products you use, it’s about how you use them, how often, and the maintenance.”

So, how often should you exfoliate your face? Discover which exfoliating products and methods to use on a nightly, weekly, and monthly basis. 

Daily

The BHA Cleanser

All acne-fighting regimens start and end with an effective cleanse. With 2% salicylic acid, Beta-Clarity Clear Skin Cleanser combines both chemical and physical exfoliation to really help slough off those dead skin cells and purify skin, leaving your skin perfectly prepped and ready to receive your toner, serum, and moisturizer.

The Refining Moisturizer

If you're worried about clogging pores or making your breakouts worse by adding moisture into the mix, BHA Clarifying Gel Moisturizer will be a game-changer for you. A lightweight, yet potent refining gel moisturizer, it delivers hydration and skin barrier repair, strengthening skin to absorb and retain deep moisture without clogging pores. In clinical tests, 94%* of participants said it noticeably controlled shine and oil, plus balanced their skin, and was gentle on their skin too after just 30 days of use.

Nightly

The Clarifying Serum

Your blemish-battling ritual starts with your beauty sleep. Having a solid nighttime skin recovery regimen will make all the difference. Start by adding a salicylic acid-powered serum in your evening skincare arsenal to target and treat blemishes—while also preventing further breakouts as you sleep, will lay the foundations of your ritual. “Salicylic acid is the expert at tackling bacteria. And, when paired with retinol, it really gets into pores to clean out black and whiteheads and clear anything that might be brewing,” shares Dr. Nina. 

After cleansing with a clarifying toner, supercharge your nightly ritual with the skin-clearing and smoothing power of Beta-Clarity BHA Drops. They combine both salicylic acid with retinol to boost cell renewal and target uneven tone, visible pores, and blemishes. 

The Microbiome-Balancing Moisturizer

Then follow with Microbiome Recovery PM Moisturizer. This advanced night cream has been expertly formulated to repair and balance the skin's microbiome, delivering non-comedogenic moisture that won't clog pores, restoring the skin's barrier for optimal skin health, and, you guessed it, targeting breakouts and preventing future flare ups. In clinical tests, 98%* said they experienced less breakouts after using this cream in just 30 days, and 92% said it helped control and eliminate breakouts.

If you're experiencing active breakouts, try our 2-step acne-fighting treatment system. Acne Spot Treatment reduces the severity of your breakout, fast, then Recovery Spot Cream erases the signs of that breakout.

Weekly: The Clarifying Exfoliant

Next up you’ll need to consider a weekly treatment to boost your nightly serum's balancing, and take that complexion clarity to the next level. Daily cleansers and toners will give you that regular maintenance, but; "Using a chemical exfoliant that’s way more active and targeted two or three times weekly will really give you that step up your skin needs," explains Anna De La Cruz, Glo's VP of Product Development.

This is where Beta-Clarity Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant works its magic. "Powered by five hydroxy acids at 10% concentration, this pro-strength exfoliant clarifies, refines, and helps brighten that stubborn post-blemish pigmentation. As a toner, it also boosts the efficacy of your serum and moisturizer," explains Anna.

Monthly: At-Home Chemical Peel For Acne

OK, so now you’ve got your daily and weekly ritual set, you’ll want to add in the next level of exfoliation to see that truly transformational effect. "Our newest at-home peel has been crafted specifically with acne prone and oily skin in mind and harnesses all the power of our pro-level treatments into a formulation that’s safe and effortless for use at home," shares Anna.

"Clinically proven to improve skin texture, reduce oiliness, clear breakouts, and minimize the appearance of pores, meet the Beta-Clarity AHA Clarifying Peel. Infused with 20% mandelic acid, salicylic acid, and vitamin C, this at-home peel will be a game-changer in your clarifying ritual," she adds.

Whether to support and supplement any in-office treatments you’re doing or as a stand-alone treatment, perform this peel monthly while you’re experiencing breakouts or excess oil, then move to bi-monthly once your skin is clearer, to keep that clarity glowing strong.

Still feeling a little hesitant about at-home peels? We debunk all those peel myths and set the record straight on why they work for every skin.