Acne-prone skin has a mind of its own. The causes of acne are multifactor, but this skin type is easily irritated, often inflamed and red, and quickly aggravated if the wrong skincare products are used. Chances are, you've had it happen to you—slap any old skincare product on your acne-prone skin, and it will lead to a skincare disaster and more breakouts than imaginable. That's why it's critical for acne-prone skin to use the right ingredients.
When it comes to finding the best skincare products for acne that will help clear it up and not have it do a 180, it's essential to use products formulated with common acne fighters like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinol, and niacinamide.
What Ingredients to Look For
Acne-prone skin, which can affect teenagers and adults, thrives when treated with the appropriate skincare ingredients for this skin type. Some of the most commonly recommended skincare ingredients that are highly beneficial for acneic skin include:
- Benzoyl peroxide: kills acne-causing bacteria
- Salicylic acid: a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates dead skin cells from the pores to help unclog them
- Glycolic and lactic acids: under the alpha hydroxy acid category, they remove dead skin cells to help limit inflammation
- Sulfur: often used with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help shrink the size of a pimple.
- Topical retinol and retinoids: exfoliate the skin to unclog pores and prevent new breakouts
- Anti-inflammatory azelaic acid: has an antibacterial benefit
- Tea tree oil: derived from the leaves of the tea tree, which is said to work like benzoyl peroxide but at a slower rate
Each of these anti-acne hero ingredients has its own benefits, and determining which works best for your skin may take some trial and error.
Shop the Best Skincare Products for Acne-Prone Skin
Best Cleansers for Acne
A well-rounded skincare routine for acne should include a good cleanser that delivers precisely what acne-prone skin needs. One of the best skincare products for acne is a gel or light cream cleanser that is formulated with ingredients that fight breakouts, like salicylic acid, tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide, or niacinamide, and those that keep the skin barrier protected and the skin hydrated like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. Acne face washes are known for stripping away much-needed oil, leaving the skin feeling tight and dry, so pay attention to the ingredients in your cleanser to avoid this.
A good face wash for acneic skin will break down the amount of oil on the surface and exfoliate dead skin and oil buildup. It's important to wash your face with a cleanser made just for blemish-prone skin to ensure that debris and bacteria are eliminated and that the cleanser's hydration factor is just right. Use your cleanser twice daily and always follow up with a moisturizer and your regular skincare routine.
SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser GelBest Moisturizers for Acne
Oily and acne-prone skin must be moisturized so oil production doesn't go into overdrive. However, using the best moisturizer for acne-prone skin comes down to the ingredients in the formulation and the texture. A good place to start is with non-comedogenic moisturizers, which lack pore-clogging ingredients known to cause breakouts. Moisturizers with mattifying ingredients can help prevent a shiny or greasy aftereffect. It's also a good idea to choose lightweight lotions, serums, and gels that are void of fragrances, oils, and butter over heavy, rich creams since these textures are better suited for oily and acne-prone skin. Key ingredients to look for in moisturizers for acneic skin include salicylic acid, retinol, and niacinamide, all of which help keep the skin balanced and prevent unsolicited breakouts. However, if you are using prescription-strength medications to help control your acne, make sure that the moisturizers you choose are compatible with the medication. Sometimes, a heavier cream-based product will lend much-needed moisture if dry, irritated, and peeling skin is an issue.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 GelBest Serums for Acne
Acne-prone skin and serums are like a match made in heaven. That's because serums are lightweight skincare products with a stronger concentration of active ingredients, making them a good option for fighting breakouts and clarifying skin. Unlike a spot treatment, formulated to be applied to a specific area of the face, a serum can be used all over, helping to keep acneic skin in check. While acne serums are not as potent as spot treatments, they are the perfect solution for maintaining the skin after a breakout or keeping the skin on a clear and healthy track. Some of the best serums for acne contain salicylic acid, retinol, and niacinamide, all of which work to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores for clearer-looking skin.
SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age DefenseBest Toners and Mists for Acne
Adding a toner or skincare mist into your skincare routine may be the missing puzzle to keep acne at bay. Toners and mists act as extra reassurance in getting the skin as clean as possible since these liquid formulas are used on freshly washed skin before additional topical skincare products deliver a dose of ingredients to further benefit the skin. When acne-prone skin is the case, toners and mists packed with ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acid can help keep oil production under control while clearing out clogged pores for fewer breakouts. Plus, toners and mists with hyaluronic acid are good for acne-prone skin, too, since they deliver a dose of much-needed hydration.
Obagi Medical CLENZIderm M.D. Pore TherapyBest Sunscreens for Acne
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable skincare staple, especially for acne-prone skin. Failure to properly protect the skin with sunscreen daily increases the risk of sunburns, sun damage, and inflammation, which can send acneic skin into overdrive.
When wearing sunscreen on acne-prone skin, it is best to look for oil-free, non-comedogenic, mineral-based, fragrance-free ones, which are less likely to clog the pores. At a minimum, reach for an SPF of at least 30, which is always preferred over lower SPF levels.
SkinCeuticals Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
The Bottom Line
No matter what your favorite skincare product for acne is, following a skincare routine for acne-prone skin that consists of products compatible with acne-prone skin is critical to keeping breakouts at bay.
Check out our expertly curated list of the best skincare products for acne-prone skin.
Next up, I’m a Dermatologist, and This Is the Skin Care Routine I Recommend to Clear Acne
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