Acne is a well-known teen problem. However, more and more young and less young people are suffering from acne. This skin condition is prevalent but hard to live with because it often decreases self-esteem. Many people wonder what the best skincare for acne is. What are the keys ingredients to get rid of acne, and what are the ones to avoid?
Here is everything to know!
What is acne?
Acne is a very prevalent skin condition. Most teens suffer from acne, often hormone-related, depending on genetics and other factors. Acne often gets better when getting older, but many young adults still suffer from this condition.
Acne causes pimples on the face, usually the chin and forehead, but this skin condition can affect the back and the breast. It is due to clogged pores that prevent sebum from discharging correctly and creates whiteheads or blackheads. Those whiteheads or blackheads are great environments for bacteria to develop, causing pimples.
Several causes may trigger acne breakouts: hormonal change or imbalance, such as puberty in both genders, PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), or menopause in females. Other factors such as a poor diet or hygiene may also cause breakouts.
Can skincare for acne help?
In most cases, yes, good skin care for acne helps. However, some cases of hormonal acne are particularly stubborn and need drug treatments.
So, what skincare for acne to choose? The offer is very vast, and customers are often lost in the sea of acne skin care.
The most important when choosing skin care for acne is the active ingredients. The skincare products must contain purifying active ingredients to cleanse the skin and prevent pore-clogging, but no harsh chemical that would aggress the skin and leads to an increased sebum production as a defense mechanism.
It is essential to remember everyone’s skin and breakouts are different. Some ingredients work wonders on some people but are too harsh or gentle on others’ skin. The best way to find the perfect skincare for acne is to try different brands until finding the best.
Here is a list of the best skincare for acne ingredients.
Tea tree
The tea tree is well-known for its purifying and antibacterial action. It is an excellent ally in acne prevention and curing. In skincare, the tea tree is used as an oil to cleanse the skin and kill bacteria that cause breakouts.
Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is a plant it has anti-inflammatory properties. It makes it a great ally to fight acne naturally. It also helps with whiteheads and blackheads.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a well-known plant. Its action is vast and helps with many health issues. Aloe Vera has antibacterial properties, which are particularly helpful to treat acne. Aloe Vera is an efficient topical treatment for acne.
Aloe vera is an exciting ingredient for facewash, scrub or face masks.
Aloe vera is also very hydrating, which is interesting to erase acne scars when the breakout has ended.
Some people also believe eating pure aloe vera directly from the plant may benefit; however, few studies are available.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a well-known medication for acne. This composant present in various skincare for acne exfoliates the outer layer of the skin, preventing pore-clogging and helping the sebum to discharge correctly.
However, salicylic acid may be harsh on the skin if used daily for some people. If using a salicylic acid skincare for acne and noticing redness or dry skin, better swapping for a gentler product or using it just a few times a week.
As general advice, better use a proper moisturizer after using a salicylic acid face wash.
What ingredients to avoid for acne-prone skin?
If some ingredients are great to treat acne, some others may worsen the condition. Here are the ingredients to avoid using on acne-prone skins.
Coconut oil
While coconut oil has many benefits, it is notorious for clogging pores and triggering flare-ups on acne-prone skins. Looking for skincare for acne, better stay away from any coconut oil product.
Essential oils
While essensial oils sounds natural and healthy, they often cause breakouts because they are so concentrated they often irritate the skin. Unsatured fat, think omega 3 and 6, clogs pore.
However, tea tree oil is an essential oil recommended to treat acne.
Synthetic perfume
Synthetic perfum appears in ingredient list as “perfume”, “fragrance” or “parfum”. Those synthetic perfum are often made with many chemicals and tends to irrate the skin, making the acne treatment complicated. The best is to go for frangrance-free products.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, also known as SLS, is a chemical used in cleansers to remove dirt on the skin. However, it is very harsh and often causes irritations and inflammation. Better go for a sulfate free cleanser.