How to Treat Acne & Wrinkles

Managing Two Very Different Concerns on One Face

Acne breakouts or wrinkles can be challenging enough when you're dealing only with one or the other. But, when you're struggling with both at the same time, it can be frustrating and confusing. Most of us believe acne should be gone by the time wrinkles start showing, but that is often not the case. Having acne and wrinkles at the same time is an all-too-common problem.

When you have wrinkles and acne, the inevitable question is: What skin-care products should you use? Do you use products labeled as anti-acne or labeled as anti-wrinkle? How do you fight acne and wrinkles without making your face feel either dry or flaky, which makes wrinkles worse, or too greasy and creamy, which makes acne and blackheads worse? The answers are truly easier than you think--if you are using the right products!

If you follow our list of the type of products needed to help you fight wrinkles and breakouts at the same time, you will find your skin looking radiant, clearer, and smoother in just a few days—really!

The 5 essential products for treating acne and wrinkles at the same time include the following:

1. A gentle, water-soluble cleanser: Acne doesn't need drying cleansers or bar soaps; these actually make matters worse. "Medicated" cleansers aren't helpful either, because the active ingredient, even if it's effective, is just rinsed down the drain. On the other hand, just because your skin is showing signs of aging doesn't mean you need a rich cleansing cream; the emollient ingredients in these types of cleansers can clog pores and make breakouts worse. Instead, wash your face twice daily with a silky, but effective, water-soluble cleanser formulated with gentle, soothing ingredients, and at night use a soft washcloth to be sure you get all your makeup off. If you haven't used this method before, you'll be amazed at how much better your skin will look and act, just from this small change!
   
   Recommended cleansers: Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser and Paula's Choice RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser.
   
   
2. A beta hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliant: Exfoliating with a BHA (active ingredient: salicylic acid) product is the most effective way to improve breakouts and fight signs of aging at the same time. Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin's surface as well as inside the pores, where clogs (such as white bumps or blackheads) occur. It also reduces redness and stimulates collagen production for firmer, more youthful skin. This single ingredient is the #1 secret weapon for anyone struggling with breakouts and wrinkles! In fact, many people see results overnight. For best results, apply at least once daily, after cleansing (and toning, if your routine includes a well-formulated toner).
   
   Recommended BHA exfoliants: Any of the 1% or 2% BHA products from Paula's Choice that come in lotion, gel, and liquid textures including those from Paula's Choice CLEAR range. Which one you use depends on the severity of your breakouts and your texture preferences. Your BHA exfoliant can be applied once or twice daily. As an alternative, you can also consider Paula's Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment. This contains 0.5% salicylic acid along with 5% of the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) glycolic acid.
   
   For more stubborn acne: After applying a BHA exfoliant, you can treat acne breakouts with a leave-on product medicated with benzoyl peroxide. This topical disinfectant kills the bacteria responsible for creating red, inflamed breakouts. Used in combination with a BHA exfoliant, you can achieve even better results for breakouts. Be sure to look for products that contain 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, as this strength is a great balance of gentle yet effective.
   
   Recommended benzoyl peroxide products: Paula's Choice CLEAR Acne Fighting Treatment 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide.
   
   
3. A treatment serum with antioxidants: Most serums are lightweight (which is great for use on breakout-prone areas), and the best ones are loaded with the kinds of ingredients all skin types need to look and act younger and healthier and to help heal red marks blemishes often leave behind. Such ingredients include antioxidants, skin-repairing substances, and cell-communicating ingredients. These not only help repair signs of aging and stimulate collagen production, but also reduce redness from breakouts while helping skin heal and fight inflammation (a major component of acne). Talk about win-win! For best results, apply twice daily, including around the eyes, after cleansing, toning, and exfoliating.
   
   Recommended serums with antioxidants: Paula's Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum or Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate Serum with Retinol.
   
   
4. Lightweight anti-aging/antiwrinkle moisturizer: The challenge in finding the best antiaging/anti-wrinkle moisturizer for blemish-prone skin is that it must hydrate and nourish skin without feeling thick, creamy, or greasy (all of which can increase breakouts). Generally, this means you want to use a moisturizer with either a very light thin lotion feel or a gel texture loaded with antioxidants and skin identical ingredients! Your skin needs to get beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants to stimulate collagen production, anti-irritants to reduce red marks and help reduce patches of dry, flaky skin, and softening ingredients to diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Apply at night after exfoliating and after applying your treatment serum.
   
   Dry skin around the eyes? Then the type of moisturizer described above won't provide enough moisture. For your eye area, consider a more emollient moisturizer (it need not be labeled "eye cream").
   
   Recommended anti-aging/antiwrinkle moisturizers: Paula's Choice RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator for the face and around the eyes; if skin around your eyes is dry, you'll want a more emollient product such as Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream ($18.95 for 2 ounces) or RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer ($22.95 for 2 ounces).
   
   
5. Matte-finish daytime moisturizer with sunscreen (or a foundation with sunscreen): No skin-care routine is complete without daily sun protection. It is essential to use a product rated SPF 15 or greater. But, did you know that protecting your skin from further sun damage helps combat breakouts, too? It's true! By preventing the inflammation sun damage causes, you're strengthening your skin, allowing its immune response to help heal breakouts (and the red marks they can leave) faster! Those with breakouts and wrinkles need sun protection from a product that smoothes and hydrates without making breakouts worse. You can also consider a foundation and a pressed powder with sunscreen as your daily facial sun protection, too. Just make sure it's rated SPF 15 or greater. Layering like that can feel more comfortable if you also have combination or oily skin. Make sure sunscreen application is the last step in your morning skin-care routine!
   
   Recommended daytime moisturizers with sunscreen: Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 & Antioxidants or Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex with SPF 20.
   
   For use from the neck down, try Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 45 or Ultra-Light Weightless Finish SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray.

The bottom line: With the right mix of products, you can take control of breakouts and signs of aging—all at the same time, and without spending a fortune.