Page 106 - Community pharmcy practice E-book 2025

02/11/2025, 00:29

Eliminate aggravating factors (oily cosmetics) or medications
Avoid or reduce exposure to environmental factors such as dirt, dust, petroleum products,
cooking oils, or chemical irritants
Avoid stressful situations when possible and practice stress management techniques.
Stress can worsen existing acne
Maintain a balanced, low-glycemic load diet
To prevent friction or irritation that may cause acne flares, do not wear tight- fitting
clothes, headbands, avoid resting the chin on the hand
Do not pick or squeeze pimples, which can further irritate skin and possibly lead to
infection, worsening of acne, and scarring

Skin Care for Acne Prone Skin

Cleanse twice daily with a mild, oil-free cleanser and warm water
To prevent or minimize acne flares, consider using a skin toners after cleansing to remove
residual dirt and oil
Use only oil-free, non-comedogenic cosmetics Avoid
facial scrubbing agents (Physical exfoliants)
Nicotinamide/ niacinamide a water-soluble derivative of vitamin B3, also is used for
acne. It is an anti-inflammatory and also decreases sebum production
Tea tree oil is widely known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil also
has anti-inflammatory properties

Acne Pharmacological Treatment

Mild cases of acne (Self-managed cases): Use topical OTC anti-acne medications to
manage mild cases of acne
OTC Vitamin A analogues OTC
keratolytics
Moderate and severe cases require prescribed only medications (POM) including:
POM topical Vitamin A analogues alone or in combination with topical POM antibiotics
Oral POM Vitamin A analogues Oral POM
anti-biotics

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