Where It All Began

Since childhood, I have struggled with acne-prone, sensitive skin. I used to watch every product ad that promised to remove blackheads and pimples jadd se. One of them — I won’t name it — was even the “No.1 acne face wash in India.” I tried it. Nothing happened.

I was just in 9th standard when breakouts and blackheads paid their first visit. Thankfully, it didn’t take over my entire face, but blackheads made sure they didn’t feel left out. I didn’t know what to do, so I did what most teenagers do: I tried everything.

The DIY Disaster Phase

From rubbing lemon slices on my face (which left me with itchy skin) to applying a heated mix of mustard oil and turmeric, I became my own lab rat. That turmeric remedy was a disaster. I woke up the next day with red, peeling skin. Thankfully, I had only applied it on a few spots. But I was so horrified I couldn’t go to school.

My mother looked at me and said, “Aa gaya maza? Laga liya apne face par tadka.” She was right. It was a lesson, a painful, burning one.

Then came my multani mitti moment, a one-time experiment I won’t forget. I sat in front of the mirror, waiting for it to dry, fully convinced that smooth, glowing skin would magically appear. But the moment I washed it off, I was greeted with dry, stretched, unhappy skin. That’s when I realised that maybe my skin wasn’t oily. Maybe it’s just... confused?

The Breakthrough

I moved to Gurgaon in 2015, the start of a fast-paced yet fulfilling phase of my life. Work was hectic, but I enjoyed the rush, the routine, the chai breaks. It wasn’t until 2017 that I finally visited a dermatologist, and that one visit changed everything.

She explained my skin type patiently and clearly. Turns out, I had sensitive combination skin, not oily, not dry, just... particular. He prescribed a gentle face wash for acne-prone skin and a simple lotion. And slowly, my skin began to calm down. No more red patches. No more panic. Just a little peace, finally.

What I Know Now

I used to think that the more I did, the more I scrubbed, the more I “treated” my face, the faster the acne would go away. But I was wrong. Sometimes, your skin needs less, not more. It needs you to listen, not attack.

If there’s one thing I’d tell anyone struggling with breakouts today, it’s this: don’t wait to see a dermatologist. You don’t have to suffer quietly or experiment endlessly. You deserve to understand your skin and be kind to it.

P.S. Face Washes That Worked for My Sensitive, Combination Skin

After trying everything from kitchen experiments to overhyped cleansers, these are the only three I now trust. If you’re looking for a face wash for sensitive acne-prone skin, this might help:

  • Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser & Exfoliating Cleanser – My everyday go-to. Mild, reliable, and never makes my skin panic.
  • Sebamed Clear Face Foam (pH 5.5) – I use this when my skin feels like it’s gearing up for a breakout. It’s gentle but does the job.
  • My DIY besan face wash – Just besan, raw milk, and aloe. No claims, no drama, just something my skin actually likes.
  • This homemade face cleanser for sensitive skin is the only one that didn’t betray me.

I’m not saying these will work for everyone. But they helped me stop attacking my face and start taking care of it calmly, simply, and consistently.

FAQs

Q: What is the best face wash for acne-prone, sensitive skin in India?

A: For me, Cetaphil and Sebamed have worked consistently. They’re gentle, pH-balanced, and don’t trigger breakouts.

Q: Can I use besan daily on sensitive combination skin?

A: You can, but only when mixed with something soothing like aloe vera gel or raw milk. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing it harshly.

Q: What’s better for sensitive skin, natural or medicated products?

A: A mix of both worked best for me. What matters most is what’s in the ingredient list, not just what’s written on the label.