Aside from the occasional negligible zit, my teenage skin never really suffered the emblematic symbols most girls go through when I was coming of age. Naturally, I was oblivious to acne back then—but that was before adulthood hit. Now, I’m engaged in an ongoing battle against my new nemesis, adult acne.
Apart from starting work on the many possible reasons behind the outbreak—from hormonal imbalances to diet—it’s also important to ensure your topical solutions, or what you’re putting on your face, are scrutinised well to suit your skin. After many tried and tested (and failed) skincare formulas, I finally have a list of products that almost always work when I get that much dreaded breakout, specifically when a sudden zit that was nowhere close to existence shows up right before a big event. I am not saying these will make that zit disappear overnight (I’m still to find that magical potion), but they’ll definitely reduce the inflammation and make them almost invisible to the naked human eye the next day.
But before you go ahead and add them to your cart, here are a few guidelines you should keep in mind. Of course, everyone’s skin is unique. So it isn’t to say that if they worked for me, they’re surely going to do the same for you. Always try a patch test before you go ahead and slather creams and solutions on your face.
- Remember that spot treatments are always concentrated solutions, with potent and active ingredients that work hard to solve your problem. Always practise the ‘less is more’ mantra. Just dot it over problem areas instead of covering your face with the product.
- If you’re going to use these only once a day, do it at the end of the day instead of in the mornings. Let the ingredients work their magic overnight while your skin is in repair mode.
- If you do apply them in the morning (there is no problem in doing so, I usually do the routine twice a day), follow it up with a sunscreen to protect the skin from UV rays while it repairs.
- Yes, we want skin without acne, we want skin that’s brighter, but layering targeted solutions can sometimes backfire. There are certain skincare ingredients one must never mix, like Vitamin C (which usually helps in brightening) and acids like salicylic (that help control acne). The acid may reduce the efficacy of the Vitamin C by affecting its pH level. Use them in alternation instead.
- Be gentle on your skin. No rubbing. Just dotting, not massaging, is good enough to let the product work its way through.
These are the three targeted acne treatments that have always worked for me.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Thank you Deciem, for this invention. Thank you, my beauty editor, for bringing this to me. And thank you, science, for inventing salicylic acid. Salicylic acid basically exfoliates the skin, thus clearing the skin of all the gunk that causes blemishes and acne-causing bacteria. The Ordinary’s version is so effective and gentle at the same time, that I cannot sleep or leave the house without a dot of it. Just a dot. Followed by sunscreen, always—because it contains BHA, or beta hydroxy acid, which increases your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. If you’re the sort to forget just how important sunscreen is, just use this product at night for now, until you change your perspective. PS: I feel almost no irritation after applying this. And when my skin’s behaving, I usually replace this with The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% to work on blemishes. Buy now
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is simply too refreshing and calming as an ingredient to not get addicted to. Its purifying properties help reduce blemishes and calm your skin. When applied, it has a very cooling effect and absorbs instantly. Follow it up with your moisturiser to avoid dryness. Buy now
Kiehl’s Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment
This one I keep for really stubborn acne. It’s my final weapon when all else has failed, because it really works. The thin tube with an even slimmer nozzle lets you apply the product directly onto your problem area, aka the pesky little pimple. Just gently blend it in once applied, but use this very sparingly at night, after toning with a mild exfoliating toner (I currently love the effects of the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner). You may feel a tinge or a burn because of its active ingredients, but simply top it up with your favourite mild, lightweight moisturiser or a rose water mist. The acne-clearing sulphur and Vitamin B3 will work effectively so that you wake up with a reduced version of the pimple that was staring you in the face last night. Buy now
Also read:
Suffering from sudden bouts of acne? Here’s why your skin’s breaking out
All the treatments that will help you reduce acne scars
Humid weather acne calls for these gel-based skincare wonders
How to get rid of acne overnight: Quick hacks and long-term solutions
Suffering from acne well past your teens? We have the help you need
The post 3 tried-and-tested skincare formulas that zap adult acne instantly appeared first on VOGUE India.
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