Using a good skin cleaning routine is important in preventing acne. But with all of the products on the market today, how is one to know what's best?

The fact is that there's no cleaning routine that works the best for everyone. In the end, it's up to you to find a skin cleaning routine that works best for you, but we have some tips on the best approach.

When reading directions on cleansers, it's common for them to state "wash twice a day." Toners, if you use one, generally say to apply right after washing. Topical prescriptions also generally recommend application right after washing.

The result may lead to having oil free skin at two points in the day. Acne will be prevented at these two points in the day. What about the rest of day? Excess oil returns very quickly, and when it does, so does the bacteria and so does the acne. The goal should be to try and maintain your skin oils as close as possible to the "optimum oil level."

Cleansers are the only products that successfully remove excess skin oil. Toners and topical prescriptions kill bacteria and effect the micro-texture of the skin, but they don't remove oil (example: the oily shine will dissapear after using a cleanser but not a toner.) If possible, we recommend washing three times a day with an extremely mild cleanser. Wash quickly also, because the longer the soap is left on the more it will dry out your skin.

Counter: What about "deep cleaning" cleansers?

Deep cleaning cleansers clean the skin too much. The idea is to be able to keep skin oils closer to the "optimum oil level." When you use a "deep cleaning" cleanser, you're playing a big maintence card for the day. When the oil returns later in the day, it will be difficult to remove because your skin is more prone to over drying. There's a limit to how often you can wash your face, and that's also the limitation on removing excess oil. Better to use a mild cleanser three times a day, as opposed to a "deep cleaning" one twice a day.

If your skin still becomes too dry from washing two to three times a day, the alternative is to thoroughly rinse your skin with water. Wiping the skin with a soapless cleansing cloth is a good way. It won't get rid of all the oil, but it will get rid of some of it, and it won't dry out the skin.

Now we're left with three acceptable points. It's still not enough, because pores can be provoked during the other parts of the day.

If you can't effectively attack the oil at these times, attack the bacteria levels. This is where toners and prescription topical treatments come in.

Counter: These products typically say to apply right after washing.

Our perspective is a little different on this. The reason why they typically say apply after cleaning, is because the skin will better absorb the product right after it's been washed. These products however, dry out the skin, clean the skin to an extent, and affect bacteria levels.

If you've just used a cleanser on your skin, most of the bacteria has already died and the skin is already clean. If you wait a few hours before applying these products, it can curb the bacteria levels during these parts of the day.

Keep in mind these graphs are examples of someone with a very oily skin problem. Everyone is different. Still, the goal is the same when using applied products. Keep the oil and bacteria levels out of the high range.

The downside to this approach, is that it requires a lot of maintenance. Most people don't have time to clean their skin five times a day. If you wear makeup, it can be an incredible problem.

To some extent it just depends on how bad you want to prevent acne. The typical twice a day routine is still adequete for some people. For many others however, twice a day isn't enough to stop acne. One might look at skin cleaning as just another thing one has to do four or five times a day... as with eating, drinking, and using the restroom.

Counter: Even in this last graph, the oil and bacteria levels still approach the high level for a significant amount of time. Especially during the 8 hours of sleep.

Sleep does provide a long period of time during which the skin cannot be cleaned. Unfortunately, applied products have a limit as to how much acne they can prevent (why applied products can't do it all).

That's why there's Evolution-X B5 Supplements.

Evolution-X B5 effectively curbs the excess oil making it the second most effective way to prevent acne (after Accutane).

Order B5 Supplements Today!

For some people, cleaning the skin 5 times a day while on B5 will be too much and will overdry the skin. One way to get around this, is to only wash the parts of your face that produce the most oil. The oily t-zone is the spot that generally produces the most oil. Considering this, you may only want to wash your nose, chin, and the center of your forehead. Other people may have skin problems more substantially on one spot, like the nose. If you have a severe problem with blackheads but your skin gets too dry from washing twice a day, the alternative is to only wash your nose during one of those times. Remember, everyone is different and you must act according to your skin. When in doubt, seek the advice of your physician or dermatologist.