Treat your acne-prone skin with the right actives

Those with acne-prone skin can vouch for how difficult and scary it is to pick up any skincare product. And rightfully so. But it doesn’t have to be scary if you’re well-informed. You might want to pick up some gentle exfoliants, moisturizers, and brighteners but which one? We are here to simplify it for you!

Here’s the hot list to keep it on your board while shopping for skincare. Everything is subjected to the stage of acne progression that you’re in. For example, Those who’ve already healed acne but have scars left may not need the same set of actives as those who have active acne right now. Nevertheless, this is the crisp guide you can follow if you have acne-prone skin.

• Salicylic acid: It’s the popular Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that can do wonders for your skin. It’s an oil-soluble exfoliant that can settle your acne quickly. But a word of caution, since it is oil-soluble it works better on oily skin. For dry skin, Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) works better. Some of the mild AHAs are Lactic acid, Mandelic acid, and Glycolic acid. But remember to use any exfoliants in the lowest concentration since acne-prone skin can’t take strong acids without damaging the skin.
•  Azelaic acid: Azelaic acid is another hero ingredient for acne-prone skin. If you have a mix of active acne and post-acne marks then this is the ingredient to pick. Azelaic acid is an exfoliant and brightener that can be used in 10% concentration. It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties which help reduce dark spots and settle active acne.
• Retinol: Retinol is the mildest form of Vitamin A. It works wonders for acne-prone skin. However, due to its potency, we recommend that you use post-removal of acne- in the healing stage. Mainly because Retinol for active acne may not work so effectively given that your skin is already damaged and not ready for potent actives. Remember, Retinol cannot be used on damp skin or in combination with acids and always needs a good layer of moisturizer after its application.
• Niacinamide: Niacinamide is the form of Vitamin B3. It improves collagen production which leads to improved skin texture. It also has the ability to regulate melanosome transfer which helps reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It’s one of the glowy ingredients which everyone and anyone can use which makes it an instant hit for acne-prone skin types too.

While there are many more ingredients out there which may be suitable to you, we recommend you always proceed post a quick patch-test under your jawline to know what suits your skin best because every skin is unique!