Acne is a pain in the neck!
They’re hard to get rid of and sometimes they appear for no apparent reason, which is the hardest because then we don't know how to properly get rid of them. The worst thing about them is that acne breakouts are inevitable, they happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere. It could happen because of your diet, environment, hormones, stress, lack of sleep or just because your skin feels like it. Many undermine the influence of stress on acne, but it plays a major role in acne formation. Have you ever realized how more breakouts occur during exam periods or when you’re rushing to meet that deadline? This is because a stress-related hormone called CRH binds the receptors in the sebaceous glands, boosting the skin’s oil production, hence, more pimples. But this isn’t the main cause. Like we said, acne is a pesky being that we can never truly get rid of, but we’re here to help you best navigate when another acne breakout happens again – what type of products to help target and treat. So, read more to find out!
Best cleanser:
One of the best ingredients to help deal with acne is salicylic acid. And for this cleanser, one of its core ingredients turns out to be salicylic acid. This exfoliating cleanser helps to de-clog pores and prevent comedones (pimples, whiteheads and blackheads) from forming. Not only that, it also contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help moisturize the skin after a deep cleanse to prevent excessive oil production. If you find that this doesn't suit your skin, it's best to to look for other cleansers that contain salicylic acid.
Best for blackheads:
Yes, acne concerns also include blackheads and whiteheads. And sometimes blackheads and whiteheads are just as annoying as pimples, or even more because once they appear, they never leave. With this exfoliating toner, it is enriched with white willow bark water, a natural derivative of salicylic acid, to remove oil, dirt and other buildup in the pores to prevent pore blockages which is essentially what white/blackheads are.
Best overall toner:
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Enriched with 3 different acids – AHA, BHA and PHA, this toner works really well in treating all types of acne, be it blackheads, whiteheads or pimples. Like the name suggests, you can see a difference in your skin in just 30 days! It works to exfoliate the skin of all kinds of impurities and buildup that can later form into acne, and leaves your skin looking brightened.
Best spot treatment:
COSRX AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream
An overnight magic for visible acne. this spot treatment adheres to growing acne to effectively treat and target it. It works by drying out the visible acne with its skin-recovery complex consisting of Zinc Oxide, Calamine, CentellAC-RX Complex and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water. Not only does this target acne, this spot treatment also helps with skin recovery.
Some By Mi 30 Days Miracle Tea Tree Clear Spot Oil
We all know of a time when applying tea tree oil to acne breakouts was widely followed. We’re taking you back to that time. This natural spot-treating oil consisting of panthenol, allantoin, tea trea oil and leaf water are all acne-combatting and sebum regulating ingredients. Simply use a cotton swab, dip into the bottle and gently dab onto troubled spots. If you have sensitive skin, you can dilute it with a little moisturizer and apply to the troubled area.
Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Spot Cream
Say bye bye to your acne with this acne spot cream that does 3 main effects – soothing, skin protection and oil-water balance. Enriched with centella asiatica, tea tree oil, peppermint extract and calamine, this spot treatment is one step closer to healthier and clearer looking skin.
Best mask:
Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask Original
The signature to Innisfree. I think we can all agree everyone has tried or at least heard of this mask at least once. Well, for good reason! This clay mask is enriched with Jeju Volcanic Ash to help suck out and remove dirt, sebum and everything else from deep within your pores. A plus point to Innisfree is that they carry other clay-infused products, including their color-clay that is formulated with different star ingredients for differing skin concerns, like cica and hyaluronic acid.
A quick stop for whenever your skin is showing signs of urgent rescue. This sheet mask addresses acne-prone skin by soothing redness and inflammation. It contains glutathione that evens out skin tone and hyperpigmentation, while salicylic acid, tea tree oil and niacinamide regulates excess sebum for noticeably clearer skin.
Best moisturizer:
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream
Like the Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA toner, this moisturizer is also formulated with AHA, BHA and PHA for full anti-acne benefits. The triple acid blend helps to purify the skin, remove dead skin cells and sebum, whilst preventing further loss of moisture all with one application.
Best serums:
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Salicylic acid, one of the key ingredients to fight against breakouts. Salicylic acid works by exfoliating deep into the pores of the skin, it removes sebum, dead skin cells and other impurities in the pores. You can either apply this directly on acne or the entire face to help improve the skin’s clarity.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
When it comes to acne, there are different ways to treat it and having to consider different skin types and concerns. Unlike the salicylic acid 2% solution, this niacinamide + zinc solution works to reduce sebum production and clogged pores, in turn minimizing enlarged pores. While also strengthening the skin barrier which prevents acne-causing bacteria from entering the skin. So, if you find that your acne is caused by excessive sebum production or a weakened skin barrier, you can give this serum a try.
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
We all know the benefits of retinol for helping to treat and target acne. Other than the usual anti-aging benefits of retinol, retinol also has the ability to reduce the formation of acne and minimize acne scarring by boosting cell turnover rate and unclogging pores. Formulated in a base of squalane for that extra hydration to keep your skin from dehydration. Anti-acne topical treatments can be quite drying on the skin, hence, keeping your skin hydrated is super important. Do note that skin purging, and peeling will occur within the first 4-8 weeks of using this.
COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum
The ideal antidote for acne-prone and oily skin, and reducing traces of acne. Formulated for 3 way post-acne care, this serum helps calm active, red spots, clear post acne scarring, as well as recover from uneven skin texture. Enriched with 3 healing ingredients - Madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, and Asiatic acid, plus other anti-acne ingredients such as niacinamide, propolis extract and panthenol.
The INKEY List C-50 Blemish Night Treatment
An overnight blemish treatment that contains a blend of Vitamin C and Vitamin E to reduce bacteria in and on the skin, preventing the formation of future acne. Also formulated with salicylic acid to help exfoliate and unclog pores of sebum and dead skin cells, whilst the lotus extracts regulates oil production.
Best for redness or inflammation. Just like the name suggests, this serum works to repair and calm the skin with its infused Centella Asiatica. A common concern of acneic skin is the redness that comes with it, for some the redness is only a small dot, while for others it can be quite painful and uncomfortable. Centella asiatica is known for its healing and soothing properties that can help with everything from chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, rosacea to your common acne breakouts.
Best facial oil:
The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil or The INKEY List Rosehip Oil
If you’re wondering how a facial oil can help with acne, listen up. This holy grail of a facial oil is suitable for all skin types and possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can calm acne flare-ups. Rosehip seed oil is also a great natural alternative to retinol with its high Vitamin A content, and we all know how good retinol works to fight against acne. So, if your skin is suffering from acne breakouts and sensitivity, rosehip seed oil is a great choice, it may even prevent future breakouts.
Best acne patches:
Pimple patches are that one-stop saviors that you need whenever you’re in a hurry. Have a pimple that’s on the brink of exploding but have to head out for errands even if you just want to stay at home? Or have an inflamed pimple that you want to bring down fast? These pimple patches are just for you for a quick, or overnight, fix! Pimple patches are actually hydrocolloid patches that help the acne treatment penetrate deeper into the skin rather that wearing off throughout the day or rubbing off on your bedding. The patch keeps the skin moist, permeable while keeping bacteria and other toxins out, as well as extracting all the pus and impurities out. These pimple patches help to flatten and reduce the appearance of pimples almost instantly.
Another pimple patch to add to your collection. An addition to Some By Mi’s 30 Days Miracle series, these waterproof hydrocolloid pimple patch encourages the healing of acne by absorbing pus and protecting the wound against bacterial infection.
We hope this article has helped you navigate how to treat your skin when that breakout occurs. If you have anything to add or ask, or you want us to cover a specific skincare tip, feel free to join the conversation below! We'll do our best to answer your questions.
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