3 Ingredients to Help Clear Acne

Acne is a frustrating and common skincare complaint that always seems to crop up at the worst possible time! You don't have to suffer in silence, there are ingredients and products you can buy over the counter that can help. Read on to discover more.

Key Ingredients for Fighting Acne

We spend a lot of time researching many sources in order to recommend products and resources that we feel can help you. We do the research so you don't have to.

When it comes to acne, here are 3 ingredients along with recommended products that can really help you out:

1. Benzoyl Peroxide

Best for: inflammatory acne.

One of the most recommended ingredients amongst skin care experts and dermatologists for acne is Benzoyl peroxide. It's often referred to as the most effective acne treatment you can buy over the counter and works mainly by killing the bacteria on the surface of your skin that causes acne.

If you are looking to buy an over-the-counter Benzoyl peroxide product then you can expect options of strength ranging from 2.5%-10%, but you really want to opt for 5-10%. If using for the first time then you may want to monitor the effects on your skin and check you don't suffer too much irritation. 

Benzoyl peroxide can also dry out your skin so it's a good idea to follow up with a moisturizer every time you use it.

There are many brands for you to choose from, but our recommendation as safe, affordable and proven choices would be PanOxyl or Differin. The links for these are below, just click on the title or the product to buy it online now.

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

PanOxyl-Acne-Wash

 

 Differin Daily Deep Cleanser

Differin Acne Cleanser

 

2. Salicylic Acid

Best for: blackheads and whiteheads

Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (or BHA) and can penetrate deeper into your pores, helping to clear out things like excess oil and dirt blocking you up.

It's another favorite acne-fighting ingredient amongst many dermatologists and below are two good options for you to pick between from CeraVe and La Roche-Posay. Again just click on the title or product images to take you to a page where you can buy the products online.

CeraVe Renewing Salicylic Acid Cleanser

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser

 

 

3. Retinol or Retinoids

Retinol or retinoids can also be effective against acne because they help to increase cell turnover. This can help by unplugging your pores that are blocked by dead skin cells. You need to use a product that has this ingredient but is also designed for treating acne.

Use a pea-sized amount and dot the product over your face on areas like your chin, forehead and cheeks before massaging it in. Again it's a good idea to apply a moisturizer afterwards.

It's also a good idea to start slowly - 2 or 3 nights a week and then build up to daily use as your skin gets used to this ingredient. Retinol is a natural Vitamin A derivative so it has benefits beyond acne. These include increasing collagen production and helping with hyperpigmentation. However, using too much for your skin can also be counter productive so you need to manage this carefully.

The product we recommend for you to try to help with acne is Differin Adapalene Gel, just click on the title or image below and you can buy it now online.

 Differin Adapalene Gel

Differin Adapalene Gel

 

We hope this has been helpful and your acne clears up, but please do leave any comments or questions. 

 

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published