The best ingredients to combat acne-prone skin and bad skin days

By Simmi Virdee
Makeup Artist

When your skin is so prone to breakouts, it’s stressful trying to find new products that won’t add to the problem, as you can never be sure how your skin is going to react. According to dermatologists, you should keep up with a skincare routine for at least 1-3 months in order to gage the effects of it on your skin. Having waited that long, spent £100+ and realising the products you’ve JUST bought have actually not helped is heart-breaking, and then all of a sudden, your back at square one with 4 huge zits on your cheek. *cries*

There can be a range of reasons as to why we break out, for example, diet, hormones, face masks which contribute to clogged pores, cosmetic products, excess oil production in the skin, etc. So many of us struggle with acne-prone skin in our teen and adult years, and like most people, I am always on the search for something that really works to reduce the amount and appearance of blemishes.

However, after trying so many brands both expensive and budget friendly, there are a few staple products with certain ingredients I like to keep in my routine, as I feel like they really make a difference in reducing the appearance of blemishes, calming redness in my skin, and fading scars when I do have my worst skin days.

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser – £12

Why I love this: no perfume, soap free, soothes breakouts, washes away makeup without over drying the skin.

Key Ingredients:
Salicylic acid – exfoliates dead skin without a harsh sandy exfoliant.
Hyaluronic acid – hydrates and plumps the skin. 
3 Ceramides – protect the skin’s barrier to lock in moisture and protect skin against environmental pollution.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel Wash – £16 

Why I love it: Effective in fading scarring and redness, can be used on sensitive skin for face and body, available to buy in 400ml, long lasting, great price.

Key ingredients: 
2% Salicyclic acid – Cleans out your pores and exfoliates dead skin which fades scarring.
LHA (Lipo Hydroxy acid) – A gentle, non-irritating exfoliant derived from Salicylic Acid which dissolves excess oils on the skin surface.
Zinc – Reduces oil production in the skin, whilst reducing inflammation and the spread of bacteria.

Nip and Fab Exfoliate: Glycolic fix liquid glow, Extreme 6% – £11.44

Why I love this: Leaves your skin feeling fresh, helps to fade scarring, helps to bring out blemishes under the skin in order to speed up the healing process. Skin looks brighter over time.

Key ingredients: 
6% Glycolic acid – penetrates deeper into the skin, stimulates collagen production and tackles hyperpigmentation.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B5) – softens and smooths the skin, helps the skin’s healing process whilst providing all-day hydration.

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – £23.80

Why I love this: Very calming for angry red breakouts, reduces inflammation, reduces oil production in acne-prone areas.

Key ingredients:
Salicylic acid – benefits mentioned above.
Methyl Propanediol – a catalyst to help penetration of skin care ingredients.
Green Tea Extract – reduces inflammation, redness and swelling of the skin.

Cerave Sa Smoothing Cream – £18

Why I love this: Provides intense all day hydration, creates a protective layer on the skin to keep moisture in, doesn’t clog pores like other heavy moisturisers do. Skin feels smoother over time and can be used on both the face and the body

Key ingredients: 
10% Urea – helps reduce flaking skin by exfoliating dead skin cells away.
Hyaluronic Acid – has a plumping effect and increases cell renewal – revealing smoother brighter skin.
Shea Butter – softens the skin, anti-inflammatory, heals the skin, and doesn’t clog pores.

Kate Somerville- EradiKate Blemish Treatment – £24

Why I love this: Effective in reducing the size of blemishes by drying out excess sebum and congested pores. Only a small amount is needed, making the product long lasting.

Key ingredients:
10% Sulphur – antibacterial – dries out excess oils.
Zinc Oxide – skin protectant, which is used to treat skin rashes, burns, irritations.

All the key ingredients above are extremely popular in acne treatments and can be highly effective when used daily as part of your routine. Look out for them in your current skin products and in new skin care you’re considering buying to be a little more in the know of what effect they have on acne-prone skin.

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