8 unique ways to effectively tackle acne-prone skin
Posted by Maheen T on 14th Dec 2021
Acne treatment feels like a war that never ends. Well, don't worry! You can effectively treat those breakouts and reduce the signs of a flare-up with the right procedure and advice.
We are going to discuss 8 ways to treat acne-prone skin effectively. An ideal skincare regimen removes excessive oil, keeps the pores open and clean, and helps speed up the healing of acne scars. So, follow these tips to treat your acne and level up your skincare game!
1. Double cleanse every night
The act of cleansing the skin twice is known as double cleansing. The first step involves massaging dry skin with a cleansing oil, then emulsifying with a little water, then rinsing it off thoroughly with more water. The second step involves washing with a gentle foam wash or cream cleanser. In doing both steps, you ensure the removal of both oil-soluble and water soluble dirt, including sebum, makeup, sunscreen, and the deeper layers of pore bacteria, all of which can exacerbate acne.
It is important to opt for a gentle cleanser with a pH of 5.5, or thereabouts, to treat acne-prone skin effectively. The right pH level is essential to protect the integrity of the skin surface. Healthy skin is mildly acidic, with an ideal pH of 5.5. Overly acidic skin may get oily, sweaty, and may become more vulnerable to breakouts. Skin that is too alkaline can look dull and flaky. A pH balanced face will ensure that your skin's protective barrier, or “acid mantle” is not disrupted.
Product recommendations:
Purito From Green Cleansing Oil
This gentle cleansing oil eliminates traces of excessive sebum, sweat, and heavy makeup with ease. It is enriched with olive oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, sweet almond oil, and grape seed oil - all of which possess moisturising properties.
Purito Defence Barrier pH Cleanser
This is a slightly acidic cleanser with a pH of 5.5. This soothing gel cleanser turns into a generous foam when lathered onto your skin and gently cleans while strengthening the skin barrier.
2. Use calming skin products at night to help calm redness and inflammation.
Acne usually causes trouble in the form irritation, leaving your skin with redness, inflammation and irritation. Therefore, use soothing skincare products with a gentle formula that helps to calm and relieve acne-prone skin.
Product recommendations:
Bellflower Azulene Calming Overnight Cream
This cream is enriched with Centella Asiatica extract, guaiazulene, Houttuynia cordata extract, and peptide ingredients that soothe the irritated and inflamed skin.
Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream
This soothing cream immediately relieves and calms inflamed skin. It is enriched with Guaiazulene; a natural ingredient derived from Chamomile Oil with strong healing effects, and Centella asiatica, which moisturizes the skin, relieving it from redness and inflammation.
Illiyoon Ceramide ATO Concentrate Cream
Infused with highly concentrated ceramide capsules (Ceramide Skin Complex), this rich cream offers deep, lasting moisture to skin while repairing and strengthening the skin barrier. The good thing about this cream is that it will not clog pores!
3. Use products containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and niacinamide to help fade pigmentation
Acne or sun damage usually leave scars, making your skin look dull and uneven. Use products loaded with brightening and skin regenerating ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and niacinamide to fight hyperpigmentation, acne spots, dullness, and uneven skin tone. Vitamin E enhances the effects of Vitamin C when used together.
A bonus is that Vitamin C also helps improve the skin’s texture, while niacinamide is wonderful for hydrating the skin, reducing the size of pores, and regulating sebum production.
Product recommendations:
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
This product contains 5% Vitamin C and is gentle enough for people with delicate skin to use without discomfort, but is rich enough to even out skin tone, tighten pores, brighten the complexion, and fade pigmentation. Its non-irritating formula revitalises your complexion! You don't have to fret over dull skin tone and large pores anymore. Apply it overnight to achieve a bright and glowing complexion the next morning.
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask
This lightweight nighttime mask is loaded with Vitamin E and niacinamide to brighten the skin and help regenerate it.
4. Use gentle chemical exfoliants, such as AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, to remove excess sebum, oil, and dirt.
Chemical exfoliants have the ability of deeper exfoliation. They will keep pores from getting congested, helping you get rid of acne on the way.
Product recommendations:
SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
This toner contains three forms of chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs) plus papaya and witch hazel extracts to improve cell turnover and keep skin smooth while removing dead skin and excess sebum. It is packed with a high concentration of tea tree extract that also promotes healthy skin, soothes acne, and inflammation, while niacinamide reduces wrinkles and brightens the skin tone.
SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
In this
serum, AHA, BHA, and PHA function together as effective chemical exfoliants to improve
the skin’s texture, making it smoother, softer, healthier-looking and more
radiant. This solution exfoliates dead skin and excess sebum, which helps to
clear acne while gently soothing breakouts.
5. Use pimple patches to keep those pesky pimples at bay.
If you're thinking about a quick fix to your acne, then pimple patches are a must in your routine! These patches help pimples go away overnight. Pimple patches absorb the excess fluids and prevent you from picking on your acne. Keep in mind that these only work effectively on pimples that have a “head” of pus.
Product recommendation:
SOME BY MI Clear Spot Patch 18pcs
These waterproof yet breathable hydrocolloid patches encourage the healing of acne by absorbing pus and protecting the wound against bacterial infection. Apply on cleansed and dried skin. Since they are transparent and can't be seen, they can be worn even during the daytime.
6. Use gentle, lightweight products
Your moisturiser doesn't have to make you feel slick and greasy. There are plenty of moisturisers available that hydrate the skin without clogging pores.
Yes, even if you have oily skin, it is still important to moisturise your skin day and night! In the case of acne-prone/oily skin, a lightweight gel or water-based moisturiser is the best way to go.
Product recommendation:
Dr Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Gel Cream
This product is hydrating and moisturising yet lightweight and non-greasy, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. It is enriched with black tea extract, which is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from UV-induced DNA damage.
7. Use serums with ingredients that target acne
Serums generally consist of active ingredients that address specific skin concerns. For acne-prone skin, you'll want to choose something with brightening properties, moisturising ingredients, and, of course, acne-fighting ingredients to treat stubborn pimples and help even out your skin tone.
Ingredients to look out for include Centella asiatica, mugwort, Heartleaf houttuynia and tamanu oil. These work wonders to help calm and soothe the redness and inflammation associated with acne.
Product recommendations:
Bellflower Heartleaf Houttuynia Serum
This moisturising serum features 44,000ppm of Houttuynia cordata (also known as Heartleaf houttuynia) extract that soothes sensitive skin and controls sebum secretion to promote healthier skin. It also contains Centella asiatica extract and Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil that rejuvenate the skin and protect it by forming a moisture barrier.
This soothing essence is made with the single ingredient, mugwort extract. The refreshing watery formula soothes and nourishes sensitive skin. It really gives your skin the hydration it needs, plus it has a mild cooling sensation. It doesn't give a tacky feeling. It helps lighten acne spots/scars and brighten your face with regular use.
Bellflower Tamanu Oil Relief Cream
Bellflower Tamanu Oil Relief Cream is a beautiful blend of oils and plant extracts that helps strengthen problematic skin and nourish it on the inside and out. Tamanu oil is excellent for healing acne due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps fight acne, reduces inflammation, and promotes collagen production. Niacinamide provides fantastic skin-brightening effects by blocking the pathway of melanin to the skin surface.
8. Using a calming sheet mask
There are plenty of sheet masks that have been specifically formulated to soothe acne. Look for masks containing tea tree extracts or Centella asiatica. Apply over your face after cleansing and applying toner. Spread the mask evenly across the face. Remove after 10-20 minutes and pat your face gently for better absorption of the essence.
Product recommendations:
Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Sheet Mask
This mask is ideal for those suffering from acne and irritation. This sheet mask not only soothes acne irritation with ingredients like willow bark and Centella asiatica extracts but it also lowers the skin's temperature with the help of erythritol.
Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask 10-pack
The Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask is that it is ultra-light tensel sheet mask that is applied easily onto the face while offering a soothing rush of moisture to the skin. It has 15% Centella asiatica extract, which works great to relax and soothe acne-prone skin. Mugwort extract helps to boost the calming effects.