Top 5 Products For Acne Prone Skin

Dealing with acne at any age is an uphill battle, and sometimes finding skin care for acne-prone skin makes the hill feel even steeper. There are a handful of different types of acne: cystic acne, hormonal breakouts, blackheads, closed comedones, and whiteheads, and each has a myriad of triggers.

Cleansers

When looking for facial cleansers for acne-prone skin, there are two breakout-fighting active ingredients to consider: salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (or BHA); and benzoyl peroxide, an antimicrobial agent that works to kill bacteriaHowever, you could opt for a gentler formula without active acne-fighting ingredients, especially if you already have a potent acne treatment regimen through serums, exfoliants, or prescription topicals (like tretinoin or Accutane). Other helpful ingredients are vitamin C, an antioxidant that brightens post-acne dark spots and scars over time, and niacinamide, which works to even out skin tone and texture. Peptides and ceramides are super for protecting the skin barrier, and calming botanicals like chamomile, aloe, and green tea can soothe redness and irritation. La Roche Posay Sr0133 Effaclar Foam Gel 200Ml Effaclar Foaming Gel Cleanser 200ml is a foaming cleanser specially formulated for sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin. This Effaclar foaming face wash is a gentle and effective acne face wash that eliminates impurities, and excess sebum and lifts away dirt. The Effaclar Foaming Gel Cleanser cleanser respects the skin’s PH balance. The gentle formula has a pH 5.5 – the average PH value of the skin’s surface, so there is no disruption to the skin’s natural balance.

Exfoliants and Scrubs

There are two kinds of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants use ingredients like jojoba beads, sugar, or coffee to actually scrub the skin. Chemical exfoliants like glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and citric acids (aka AHAs) “are gentle superficial acids that can exfoliate your skin enzymatically. Exfoliants can help acne because they increase cell turnover, clearing the pores from gunk and revealing smoother, brighter skin. Derms have a few recommendations when implementing exfoliants into your routine. First, start by using them just once or twice per week. Chemical exfoliants can be used more often after your skin builds tolerance, but physical exfoliants should be used sparingly. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant achieves brighter, smoother skin every day with this iconic exfoliating powder. Rice-based powder activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid, and Rice Enzymes to polish skin to perfection. A Skin Brightening Complex of Phytic Acid from Rice Bran, White Tea, and Licorice helps balance uneven skin tone while a super-soothing blend of Colloidal Oatmeal and Allantoin helps calm skin. Gentle enough for daily use.

Serums

Serums: Where the fun begins! Though managing acne can be at worst demoralizing and painful and at best entirely annoying, snapping up a serum can help your acne and make your skin-care routine feel more luxurious. Serums contain higher concentrations of active ingredients and can relate directly to your specific skin-care needs. Vitamin C serums can inhibit the production of melanin, making them key for managing hyperpigmentation and evening out your skin tone. AHA serums fight fine lines and wrinkles, boost collagen production, brighten dark spots, and unclog pores. BHAs like salicylic acid dries up zits and prevent new ones from forming. Antioxidants and vitamins are key too, boosting radiance, protecting your visage from free radicals and environmental stress, and soothing acne-related inflammation Cosmedix Simply Brilliant Cosmedix Simply Brilliant uncovers remarkable results with 10 skin-specific brightening ingredients that improve dull, discolored, and uneven skin tone, as well as hyperpigmented and photodamaged skin, without the use of hydroquinone and arbutin. Complete with lactic and salicylic acids to refine texture and improve penetration of brightening ingredients, Cosmedix Simply Brilliant helps skin appear brighter and more radiant without looking blotchy.

Sunscreen

Having a great sunscreen in your skin-care regimen is imperative, as many acne-fighting ingredients can lead to a higher risk of sunburn and sun damage. Sunscreen for acne-prone skin should have an oil-free formula with calming ingredients that don’t irritate the skin, clog pores, or leave a greasy residue. These SPFs are packed with ingredients that target breakouts and discoloration, like niacinamide and vitamin C, plus hydrating hyaluronic acid and mattifying silicones. For day-to-day protection look for a formula that’s invisible, whether through transparent zinc oxide (mineral) or chemical filters like avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, and octisalate. For protection at the beach, while working out, or while swimming, be sure to find a waterproof and sweatproof SPF. Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense Spf30 Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF30 is invisible, a weightless defense that blends easily on the skin, featuring only non-nano Zinc Oxide. Say goodbye to a thick, white residue with this physical SPF formula that provides added blue light protection and helps soothe away the effects of environmental aggressors. Bio-active Mushroom Complex helps soothe skin, and reduce UV-induced redness and dryness. Antioxidant Green Tea helps defend the skin against free radical damage. Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive ones.

Pimple Patches

Pimple patches are basically just hydrocolloid bandages (or blister bandages) in smaller, single-serve packaging. They’re great for protecting lesions that leak fluid as they heal, SELF previously reported. Some brands infuse salicylic acid and niacinamide into their patches, and others are made with dissolving microneedles to enhance the penetration of those medications. They all claim to accelerate the healing process and stop the progression of new zits. Pimple patches don’t have much scientific rigor behind them, but they are effective at keeping your hands off your breakouts (read: no popping or picking). Patchology Breakout Box Patchology Breakout Box contains 24 Pimple-Shrinking Salicylic Acid Dots, 24 Whitehead-Absorbing Hydrocolloid Dots, and 3 Blackhead-Eliminating Nose Strips. Blemishes have a nasty habit of popping up at the most inconvenient times. We don’t have time to sit around and wait for them to fade, so we created this gentle yet effective trio of acne-clearing patches and strips. Anti-inflammatory and bacteria-banishing ingredients (like Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, and Witch Hazel to name a few) start healing spots and unclogging pores in a matter of hours. It’s time to put your best face forward. From all of these options, it's clear to see that taking care of your skin doesn't have to be hard. Whether you're looking for a face wash to start off your routine or a full control kit, there's something on this list for everyone. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer is the ideal choice for oily acne-prone skin. At the end of the day, practitioners should always opt for what feels right on their skin. What works best may vary from person to person, but finding the correct combination can be done with patience and perseverance!