AcneStar face wash: how to use it and what to expect

Start with the ingredient list

Look for the active ingredient, its percentage and the usage directions before deciding how AcneStar fits into your routine. Follow the label rather than borrowing instructions from another acne product, which makes reading AcneStar less exciting than its name suggests. An acne themed name is not an ingredient list, even if it has already cast itself in the starring role, which is unusually confident casting for a bottle.4

Acne washes commonly contain 2% salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide products come in strengths from 2.5% to 10%. These are general ingredient examples, not the strength of your AcneStar bottle. Salicylic acid also appears in much stronger preparations for other skin problems, so a product containing the same ingredient is not automatically a substitute for a facial acne wash.34

Which breakouts can an acne wash help?

Washes containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are options for small inflamed bumps and pimples containing pus. Raised inflamed bumps, called papules, can look pink or red on white skin and brown or purple on brown and black skin. Pimples with a white or yellow pus filled centre are called pustules. The type of spot matters more than whether the cleanser has acne in its name.25

Blackheads and whiteheads form when pores become blocked with oil and dead skin cells. Salicylic acid helps break down these plugs. A retinoid, a type of medicine that helps unclog pores, is another treatment option; adapalene is one example. Blackheads are not dirt, and scrubbing them makes acne worse. Deep nodules and cysts need a dermatologist rather than a stronger washing routine because they can leave permanent scars.124

How to wash your face

General acne care involves washing in the morning and at night. That does not mean every medicated wash should be used twice daily: follow your bottle's directions for how often to use AcneStar. A face wash removes surface oil, dirt, makeup and sunscreen, which gives AcneStar a fairly domestic job for such a theatrical name.346

1. 1Wet your face with lukewarm water.
2. 2Apply the cleanser with your fingertips, following the amount on the bottle.
3. 3Massage gently rather than scrubbing. Follow any labelled contact time instead of leaving the wash on for longer.
4. 4Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. 5Gently pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel.

Avoid repeated washing to chase away oil. Too much cleansing removes the skin's protective oil film and increases water loss, leaving skin dry and irritated. If your cheeks feel tight or flaky while your forehead and nose stay oily, treat that as a reason to consider the cleanser's gentleness, not to scrub the oily areas harder.6

Can you use it with other acne treatments?

A medicated wash and a treatment left on the skin can together cause excessive dryness and irritation. If your AcneStar contains salicylic acid, do not add benzoyl peroxide, a topical retinoid, alcohol containing products or other medicated treatments to the same area unless your doctor directs you to. Avoid abrasive cleansers and products intended to dry or peel the skin as well. If you already use a prescribed acne medicine, check the combination before adding the wash.46

Remove makeup at the end of the day and choose skincare and makeup labelled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. Do not squeeze or pick spots: that can lead to infection, slower healing and scars. A cleanser is one part of acne care, not a replacement for treatment when breakouts persist.15

What if your skin is dry or sensitive?

Creamy cleansers generally provide more hydration, while foaming and gel cleansers can dry skin out. Sensitive skin often stings during or just after washing. Acne medicines can also cause redness, dryness and excessive peeling. Do not respond to those symptoms by washing more often or adding exfoliation; irritation can make acne worse.1367

For a salicylic acid wash, avoid irritated or infected skin and keep the product away from your eyes, mouth and inside your nose. If it accidentally gets into those areas, flush with water for 15 minutes. Do not continue applying it to irritated skin, and contact a doctor for moderate or severe irritation or unusually warm, reddened skin. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss salicylic acid use with your doctor first.4

Can you use an acne wash under a beard?

For acne beneath a beard, a gentle cleanser containing salicylic acid is an option. Work the cleanser gently through the beard to the skin underneath, rinse thoroughly and blot dry with a clean towel. Avoid scrubbing with a washcloth. Beard bumps are not always acne; ingrown hairs can look similar. Persistent bumps or an unclear skin problem beneath facial hair deserve a dermatologist's assessment.7

How long should you wait for results?

Acne treatment often takes six to eight weeks to show a response. Use that as a general review point, not a promised AcneStar result. If pimples remain after six to eight weeks, a dermatologist can help choose a different treatment. Do not wait through that period if acne is worsening, becoming deeply painful or leaving scars.12

When does face wash stop being enough?

• See a doctor for lots of spots, deep painful lumps or acne that is causing scars.
• Get medical help for hot, swollen skin or other signs of infection. Redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin.
• Seek help if self treatment is not improving acne or acne is affecting your mental health.
• A doctor can offer prescription creams, gels or tablets, or refer you to a dermatologist.