Do you feel like you’ve tried just about everything to get rid of your acne but still see blemishes? To see clearer skin, you probably just need to make some changes. Acne is not a quick fix and is classified as a complex and difficult skin concern to have and treat. Natasha Davel from Fundamentals Skincare has shared the following tips to help you get started with your acne struggle.
The acne versus its treatment
Understanding what is causing your acne is the first step. For example Bacteria, clogged pores, oil build-up, and inflammation can all cause acne.
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Make sure you are using the correct products with the active ingredients you need. If you are using an acne treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide, the second acne treatment should contain another acne-fighting ingredient.
2. Active ingredients and how they work to fight your acne
- Benzoyl peroxide: Decreases P. Acnes bacteria.
- Retinoids: Unclog pores, manages breakouts and post-breakout marks by increasing cell turnover.
- Salicylic acid: This ingredient works to treat acne by unclogging blocked pores. It does this by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells so that they can release from the pore more easily, and by breaking down oils, such as sebum. Salicylic acid also decreases the skin’s sebum production, leading to fewer breakouts.
- Bakuchiol: This is an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredient derived from the babchi plant. In a pilot study, a topical 0.5% bakuchiol cream decreased the number of inflammatory lesions and lessened discolouration left over from healed acne spots, leading researchers to conclude that bakuchiol may be effective for mild to moderate acne, especially in skin of colour. Bakuchiol has been clinically proven to have the same effects as retinoids with more tolerability.
- Azelaic acid: kills bacteria on your skin that cause acne. It decreases the activity of bacteria called Propionibacterium, the bacteria found in acne, due to its bacteriostatic (limits the production of bacteria) and bactericidal properties (kills bacteria). Reduces post-breakout marks.
- Niacinamide: reduces blotchiness and redness, minimises the appearance of pores and regulates sebum production.
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3. Give an acne treatment for at least 8 to 12 weeks to work
According to the American Academy Of Dermatology Association using a new acne product every few days may seem useful, but that approach can worsen pimple. Acne treatment needs time to work. Using a different product every few days can also irritate your skin, causing new breakouts. If a treatment works for you, you should notice some improvement in 8 to 12 weeks. It can take two to three months or longer to see the clearing. It is also important to note that acne gets worse before it gets better.
If you notice improvement, keep using the treatment. You’ll want to keep using the pimple treatment even when you see clearing. This helps to prevent new breakouts.
4. Use skin care products and cosmetics that don’t cause acne
Always read the product ingredients as well as the labels. Products that you purchase should have the below listed on their packaging:
- Won’t clog pores
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-acnegenic
- Oil-free
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Although there is no ‘cure’ for pimple-prone skin, medicinal and non-medicinal therapies can be very effective in preventing the formation of new spots and scarring.
Depending on the severity of pimple-prone skin, sufferers can opt for at least one of the above-mentioned active ingredients mentioned above which are also included in the Fundamentals Breakout Bundles.
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Fundamentals Skincare has launched brand new products this month that are formulated to treat pimples. The new Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Bakuchiol products are now available on www.fundamentals-skincare.co.za
