How to treat problem skin

CeraVe®, America’s fastest growing skin care brand, created National Cleanse Your Skin Week from August 1 to 7th. Now in its second year, National Cleanse Your Skin Week is officially listed on the National Day Calendar to help bring awareness to the importance of proper skin cleansing. Cleansing one’s face correctly every day is very important, as well is knowing how to clean your skin during the hottest, muggiest, most humid and stickiest part of summer.

In addition to cleansing the skin, many people do not understand how ingredients can affect the skin. CeraVe® conducted a national study, called the CeraVe® Skin Survey, with over 1000 adult men and women 18 and over to look at overall awareness and general habits and practices solely focused on facial cleansing. The study reveals that, despite the abundance of skin care products available and information dedicated to the topic, most Americans don’t take proper care of their skin. Also apparent is the huge need for education on ingredients as well as the critical role of proper facial cleansing to maintain healthy skin.

Key findings of the CeraVe® Skin Survey reveal that:

• 60% of men and 48% of women admit they often skip face washing before bedtime
• 66% of men and 40% of women admit that when they simply use body wash or hand soap to wash they face
• 63% of Americans don’t understand the purpose of the ingredients in the skin care products they purchase
• 65% have no idea what ingredients to look for when purchasing a facial cleanser

CeraVe® delivers ceramides through an exclusive patented technology that penetrates the skin’s surface to help rebuild the skin’s protective barrier and lock in moisture. Those who suffer from eczema (redness, peeling and flaking of the skin) and psoriasis (dry, itchy, thick scales on the skin) lack ceramides in their skin. Ceramides can be replaced with a topical treatment that contains them, to help skin heal faster. This is why chronic skin conditions need special skincare products that contain ceramides.

Sticking to a cleansing routine for your specific skincare needs is the first step in building and maintaining healthy, beautiful skin. CeraVe® worked with top dermatologists to provide tips for better cleansing, which can be found below.

CeraVe® Foaming Facial Cleanser:  “Skin oil and skin water content are two separate issues,” says Dr. Joshua Zeichner. “While foaming cleansers can effectively remove oil, a squeaky-clean feeling after washing the skin actually represents harmful post-wash dehydration. When the outer skin layer becomes disrupted, the skin can become dry and irritated. Look for a cleanser that helps effectively removes oil but maintains hydration and a healthy outer skin layer. Ceramides are like natural mortar that sit between skin cells bricks to help the skin maintain water content and prevent loss of natural hydration.”

For oily to acne prone skin, Dr. Dendy Engelman states that CeraVe® Foaming Facial Cleanser is ideal. “This cleanser helps remove oil, makeup, and impurities while still hydrating the skin and maintaining the skin’s protective layer”, says Dr. Engelman. “Apply to damp face, massage into skin in an upward and outward motion, and rinse.”

CeraVe® Makeup Removing Cleanser Cloths:   “I always keep a pack of CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleansing Cloths in my bag for makeup touch-ups throughout the day and quick cleansing after the gym or travel,” says Dr. Sherry Ingraham. “During the hot Texas summers, I will keep a pack in my refrigerator at home for a refreshing makeup removal before I cleanse. The cloths are great because they are gentle without over-striping or disturbing the protective skin barrier.”

CeraVe® Hydrating Cleanser Bar:  “For normal to dry skin, CeraVe® Hydrating Cleansing Bar cleans the skin while providing sustained hydration throughout the day,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman. “Apply to damp face, massage into skin in an upward and outward motion, and rinse.”

CeraVe® Hydrating Facial Cleanser:  “Over washing our hands with soapy cleansers and when we wash our dishes washes away our evolutionarily designed protective skin barrier,” says Dr. Sherry Ingraham. “Repeated daily this seemingly “normal” hand washing can lead to “hand washing dermatitis” which manifests as dry, rough, itchy patches on the tops of our hands and may even lead to painful cracks and fissures on our fingers. I recommend daily, and whenever possible, to wash your hands with synthetic liquid cleansers such as CeraVe® Hydrating Facial Cleanser and avoid classic bar soaps. Also, always wear gloves when doing dishes.”

“For drier or more mature skin, CeraVe® Hydrating Facial Cleanser is great for gentle cleansing without risk of drying,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman. “Apply to damp face, massage into skin in an upward and outward motion, and rinse.

CeraVe® Renewing SA Cleanser:  CeraVe® Renewing SA Cleanser exfoliates and cleanses while ceramides help restore your skin barrier. Good for normal skin as well as acne or psoriasis prone skin. Exfoliates, detoxifies and gently cleanses the skin of dirt and oil without the use of harsh microbeads. Enriched with antioxidant Vitamin D, it’s hydrating, fragrance-free and non-irritating.

“The skin on your elbows, knees, and heels are among the thickest on the body,” says Dr. Joshua Zeichner. “Subject to wear and tear, the skin there commonly becomes thick, rough, and often uncomfortable for many patients. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin and contribute to the thick skin that develops.
For optimal results, apply to the skin, sing the alphabet while the cleanser sits on the skin to do its job, then rinse off.”

CeraVe® can be found in major retail stores, such as, but not limited to: BabiesRUs, CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Ulta, Walgreens and Walmart.

In addition to Lifestyle411, Bevs Lim also contributes to Thrive Global and Huffington Post.