We have already done many reviews on popular acne remedies, but for some reason we have never mentioned this drug. But in vain - it is extremely popular among people suffering from acne. It would seem, why is an ordinary antiseptic so in demand in the fight against dermatological problems? After all, it is primarily intended to disinfect wounds and cleanse the skin of bacteria. This is exactly what we will discuss in today's article. We will talk about how Chlorhexidine can help against acne on the face, carefully consider its composition and pharmacological properties, and draw an objective conclusion. We will also provide reviews from people who have already used the product to combat acne.
By the way, this is not the first antiseptic that comes to us for review. For example, we have already talked about how you can use hydrogen peroxide and the famous “blue iodine” Iodinol in the fight against acne. We recommend that you read these articles. But remember that these drugs can never be the main remedies for acne. They perform rather an auxiliary task. This is especially true for severe forms of acne.
Basic properties
The drug is an antiseptic. It has a pronounced antimicrobial and bactericidal effect. The result will depend on the concentration.
- 0.01% is recommended for the control of gram-positive and gram-negative microbes.
- 0.05% also has a detrimental effect on viruses.
With regular use, you can achieve an antifungal effect. However, it is impossible to treat mycoses in this way, since it will not be possible to completely get rid of the disease. For this, it is recommended to use specially designed medications.
The antiseptic penetrates deeply into the skin. And it already has its antiseptic effect here. You should use the drug no more than 2 times a day , as the effect will be long-lasting and lasting each time.
Acne treatment does not cause any side effects such as redness, peeling or an allergic reaction.
Chlorhexidine for facial acne is available in several dosage forms. This is a popular solution and can be purchased at any pharmacy. Other forms of release include:
- A gel that also contains lidocaine.
- Cream.
- Spray.
- Candles.
- Bactericidal patch.
The main active ingredient in all cases is chlorhexidine bigluconate. The concentration of the active substance varies widely, but only the one marked 0.01% is used to treat acne.
Release form, dosage, concentration
An alcohol solution of chlorhexidine (0.5%) and high-concentration aqueous solutions are used to disinfect the hands of medical staff, the surgical field, instruments, medical devices, and donor elbows.
Aqueous solutions of low and medium concentrations are used for irrigation (gynecology, urology), mouth rinsing (dentistry) and dermatological manipulations.
In gel form, the drug is applied topically. Contains lidocaine .
Suppositories are used to treat vaginal infections.
Small abrasions, burns and scratches are covered with a bactericidal plaster.
Medicines must be used only in accordance with the instructions for the specific drug. In this case, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations of the attending physician regarding the dosage and duration of the course of therapy.
How to use chlorhexidine for acne
Is it possible to apply chlorhexidine to acne? This can be done, but only if you follow the rules.
The medicine should not be used together with hard water, as this will cause the loss of healing properties. This means that during treatment it is recommended to use only boiled or distilled water.
To enhance its bactericidal effect, the solution must be slightly warmed. But not to a boil, but so that its temperature rises slightly higher than room temperature.
Before applying acne, you need to wash your face. This should be done without using soap or any other cleanser.
Can I wipe my skin with this acne medicine in summer? This is not recommended, especially if you spend a long time in the sun. If the recommendations are not followed, the drug may cause a strong photosensitivity reaction, which can cause severe sunburn.
When treating acne, you should not use other antiseptics, such as iodine, hydrogen peroxide or miramistin.
Miramistin, hydrogen peroxide or Chlorhexidine – what to choose?
Many argue that Chlorhexidine, Miramistin and hydrogen peroxide are the same antiseptic. This is certainly not true. Chlorhexidine is a domestic antiseptic, for this reason it costs much less than Miramistin.
There are also other differences between these drugs. For example, Chlorhexidine is equally harmful to gram-negative and gram-positive harmful bacteria, certain viruses and yeast. Miramistin has a wider spectrum of action, since in addition to the above, the antiseptic also effectively affects fungal infections and specific strains of viruses.
Regarding Chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide, the former is the clear leader in this comparison. The fact is that this substance is cationic due to the transfer of positively charged ions that are in solution. As is known, the bactericidal cell is negatively charged; because of this circumstance, antiseptic cations are attracted to it in greater quantities. This contributes to a more effective impact on harmful bacteria, preventing them from further multiplying and spreading to healthy areas of the epithelium.
Hydrogen peroxide is most often used to treat external damage to the epidermis: wounds, cuts, etc. Peroxide effectively removes harmful microorganisms from the surface of the dermis, but is not very effective in treating inflamed pimples and blackheads. In this case, preference should be given to Chlorhexidine.
Indications for use
The use of chlorhexidine is advisable in the following cases:
- Skin diseases of infectious nature.
- Prevention of infectious skin diseases.
- Single pimples.
- Acne disease.
- Treatment of infected wounds.
- Treatment of scratches, abrasions and other minor skin damage.
- Hand disinfection.
- Sterilization of medical instruments.
The medicine has proven itself well in cosmetology as a remedy that helps quickly get rid of redness and inflammation of the skin due to acne.
Contraindications
According to the instructions, chlorhexidine cannot be used for:
- Dermatitis.
- Hypersensitivity to the drug.
- Allergic reaction.
- Pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding.
- Children under 12 years of age.
- Dry or sensitive skin.
If you have any doubts about the possibility of using chlorhexidine bigluconate in the treatment of acne, be sure to consult your doctor. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable.
Compatibility with other drugs
Before you start wiping your face with this acne remedy, you must remember that it has poor compatibility with many drugs.
This acne treatment method should not be used while taking other medications that contain or may contain carbonates, chlorides, sulfates, borates, phosphates, or citrates.
There are a number of medications that help enhance the effects of chlorhexidine facial in treating acne. These are chloramphenicol, cefazolin, neomycin and kanamycin.
Also, the effect of the drug is enhanced when used simultaneously with medical alcohol.
Expert opinion
In cosmetology, this drug is used mainly for disinfecting the skin after cleansing the face or removing pustules. Experts leave mostly positive reviews for this drug, noting that it copes well with its tasks and indeed demonstrates high efficiency in the fight against various microorganisms.
At the same time, experts note that it is very important to use this medicine correctly, otherwise it can harm a person, for example, burn the skin of the face. Cosmetologists advise strictly following the instructions for using this product, without relying on reviews from other consumers. They assure that only in this case will consumers be able to avoid the unpleasant consequences of its use.
Side effects
Chlorhexidine bigluconate against acne is an absolutely safe remedy. Side effects when using it are rare.
Skin dryness, flaking, itching or irritation are usually present. Dermatitis may also appear. And when used in the summer - increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Therefore, before wiping your face with chlorhexidine, it is recommended to conduct an allergy test. It is done like this: a drop of the drug is applied to the inside of the wrist or elbow, after which the reaction must be monitored throughout the day.
If there is no allergy, no itching or redness, then the solution can also be used to treat acne on the face.
When treating acne, the solution should only be applied pointwise. To do this you need to use a cotton swab. It is not recommended to apply antiseptic to healthy skin.
Mask recipes
If your skin is oily and rashes often appear on it, it is recommended to regularly use special face masks. There are several very good recipes for masks with the addition of Chlorhexidine:
- With black clay. Clay combats excessive oily skin and eliminates acne. An antiseptic solution enhances this effect and has an antibacterial effect. To prepare the composition you will need 2 tsp. clay and the same amount of solution (0.01%). It is necessary to mix the components and smear them on the skin, then wait 20 minutes and rinse off the mask with warm water, then apply a suitable cream to the face.
- With white clay and bodyaga. Using this recipe will eliminate acne and get rid of its traces. Badyaga normalizes blood circulation and evens out the skin. You will need 1 tbsp. l. white clay, 0.5 tsp. badyagi and a sufficient amount of Chlorhexidine (0.01%). After mixing the components, the composition is applied to the face and left for 20 minutes. After washing, apply cream to the skin.
- With baby powder. For this recipe, regular unscented powder will do. It should contain only drying agents and talc. You need to dilute 1.5 tbsp. l. sprinkle a sufficient amount of the solution and mix the components thoroughly. The mask is applied to the face using a sponge or a special brush. Leave the composition on the skin until it dries. After this, you need to wash your face with water; a little powder may remain on the skin. You don’t have to wash it off, it’s very good if you manage to walk like this for several hours. After removing the white plaque, apply a nourishing or moisturizing cream to the face.
Advantages and disadvantages
Already at the first use, chlorhexidine acts on both gram-positive and gram-negative microbes, as well as viruses.
If you use the drug at the very beginning of the development of a pimple, you can stop the development of inflammation.
After the first use, chlorhexidine penetrates deeply into the skin and has a long-lasting antibacterial effect.
When applied externally, the antiseptic is not absorbed into the blood and does not penetrate the internal organs. This allows us to speak about the high safety of the drug.
Chlorhexidine for facial acne increases skin sensitivity to the sun. Therefore, it is not recommended to use this antiseptic in the summer.
With frequent use, you can destroy not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microbes.
If you apply an antiseptic to an open pimple in the presence of pus, its effect will be significantly reduced.
Efficacy against rash
The product in the form of a solution has a beneficial effect on the skin and effectively eliminates acne. The drug has antiseptic properties, is gentle and very rarely causes allergic reactions. Many cosmetologists note that chlorhexidine is extremely beneficial for the skin. The product has the following properties:
- absorbs into the deep layers of the epidermis;
- eliminates germs and pathogenic bacteria;
- stops inflammatory processes;
- promotes the removal of dead cells;
- disinfects the area when an abscess ruptures;
- works better than iodine and brilliant green, and does not stain the skin or cause a burning sensation.
