The 3 best skincare ingredients for acne-prone skin

Breakouts can be caused by any number of reasons, from hormonal spikes (during puberty, your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or when stressed), to a reaction to irritating skincare ingredients, or repeated mask-wearing. Unfortunately, we can't diagnose the root cause of your acne, but we can recommend our top three ingredients for managing and preventing acne that your skin will thank us for!

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is the holy grail for acne-prone and congested skin (aka blackheads). It’s a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which means that is a chemical exfoliant. Chemical exfoliants remove dead skin cells without the irritating effects of physical exfoliants (like scrubs), which can worsen skin inflammation. BHAs are especially good for congested skin as they are able to break down build-up in your pores (cleaning them from the inside out).

Depending on your skin sensitivity, exfoliating 1-3 times a week usually improves skin health and prevents acne, which helps stop your pores from getting blocked and infected with bacteria, which causes spots. You can find this ingredient in face washes, toners, serums, and masks, and it is suitable for all skin types.

Retinol

Retinol (vitamin A) is an ingredient that promotes cell repair and a quicker cell turnover rate. It also functions as an antioxidant, protecting your skin from free radical damage. Because retinol promotes cell turnover, blemishes are less likely to develop because your pores are less prone to become clogged or infected with dead skin cells. Retinol is one of the few skincare ingredients that has been scientifically proven to be anti-ageing since frequent application can reduce fine lines and provide radiant skin!

If you do use retinol (or any of its derivatives) apply it at night and don't forget wearing daily SPF is a must, as retinol increases your skin's sensitivity to the sun!

Cannabis sativa seed oil

Derived from hemp plants, cannabis Sativa oil (or CBD) is an oil rich in fatty acids. Fatty acids are essential to your skin health (yes even for oily skin!), as they are the foundation for healthy cell membranes which make up your protective skin barrier in charge of maintaining hydration and preventing irritation.

Cannabis sativa seed oil also has amazing calming qualities. Applying the oil to spots (or any other form of skin irritation) will help reduce inflammation (redness and soreness) almost immediately, and it is also non-comedogenic, so you can be certain that it won't result in outbreaks, but will instead nourish and protect your skin.

Sources used:

Mecca: 'THE 5 INGREDIENTS THAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR ACNE-CLEARING ROUTINE'

Web MD: '8 Best Ingredients for Acne-Prone Skin'

Read more:

⋙ Skincare: How to tell if your skin is dehydrated or dry, and how to treat it

⋙ 8 Signs that your skincare is damaging your skin

⋙ Here’s why seaweed is becoming a major player in skincare