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Adding the PM Congestion Exfoliator to Your Skincare Routine
If you are part of our Clear Skin program for Combo Acne, then you have been adding active products each month to your routine. In Month 4, we introduce a PM Congestion Exfoliator, which is specifically designed for congested skin (stubborn blackheads and whiteheads).
A Quick Note for New Readers
The advice in this post is specific to clients enrolled in The Acne Lab's Clear Skin Program, our personalized, prescription-free approach to clearing stubborn acne. If you’re not currently part of the program, please keep in mind the recommendations below aren’t a generic skincare tip. They’re a stage-specific adjustment for clients who’ve already laid the right foundation. Curious about the program? Start here.
What Is a PM Congestion Exfoliator?
Our PM Congestion Exfoliator has Vitamin A in it. This creates bottom-up exfoliation that works below the surface and moves skin cells to the surface, creating cellular turnover.
This is different from top-down exfoliators (such as our Daily Exfoliating Pads), which exfoliate by removing dead skin cells at the surface and get skin to shed its dead skin cells properly.
The PM Congestion Exfoliator Is Designed for Combo Skin
Bottom-up exfoliation is great for combo acne because it addresses the deep congestion that is stubborn to clear up. It’s for sticky skin cells that just won’t budge and are content to sit below the surface.
Early in our Clear Skin Program, you began using the Daily Exfoliating Pads, a top-down exfoliator. It helps loosen up the sticky skin at the surface. But ultimately, the sticky skin continues to build on itself every day. It's like whittling away at the surface. But for combo skin, the sticky skin is building up faster than a top-down exfoliator can keep up with.
When you add the PM Congestion Exfoliator, you add some extra pressure that pushes from below the surface to create movement of that sticky skin.
Expect Some Breakouts as Your Skin Clears
This is one of the most frustrating types of acne to clear up because the pores are stubborn to clear out. And, in order to get your clogged pores clear, they have to go through a process of clearing out.
As that sticky skin is pushed up to the surface, it typically becomes red, inflamed acne.
You can expect to have continued breakouts over the next 5-8 months, where you are trading out the textured skin for more red, inflamed breakouts that result in cleared hair follicles.
Just remember that this is a process and the only path to clear skin.
Sunscreen Is Key When Using the PM Congestion Exfoliator
You should be applying a sunscreen every day as part of your skincare routine. But while on the PM Congestion Exfoliator, it's even more important.
The PM Congestion Exfoliator contains Vitamin A, which makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. This is why you apply it at night and why you need to be diligent about applying your sunscreen each morning and reapplying when spending time outdoors.
Need Support?
Remember that steady, progressive skincare with strategic changes is the secret to training your skin to behave differently — and finally getting clear. If you have questions or need support schedule a call with our Acne Experts below.
