4 Ingredients That Will Help Banish Your Acne
For all of you struggling with acne, whether it stems from hormones, stress, or environmental factors, theses key ingredients will definitely help manage your breakouts! It can be easy to get caught up in DIY skincare to help treat acne issues, but this can actually exacerbate the problem. The best course of action when it comes to treating your acne is looking to SCIENCE (and of course consulting your dermatologist). These 4 key ingredients are backed by medical literature and clinical studies, and have shown significant improvements in active acne.
1.Azelaic Acid:
This is a naturally occurring acid found in grain, such as wheat, rye and barley. This ingredient has a variety of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Extensive multi-centre clinical trials have established that topical Azelaic acid applied for long periods is an effective treatment for all types of acne. Topically applied Azelaic acid alone can yield clinically relevant improvement rates [SM Colonna]. Not only does this ingredient help with acne, it also improves acne scar pigmentation, and evens out skin tone. The amazing aspect of this ingredient is that it does not irritate the skin, give rise to allergic reactions, and it is safe to use during pregnancy.
What to try:
Prescription products such as Skinoren Cream (20% Azelaic Acid) are extremely effective and potent. For more stubborn or advanced acne, it’s best to consider prescription Azelaic Acid.
OTC products are also an effective treatment and are often found in concentrations of 10%. 10% Azelaic Acid can still improve the visible imperfections of acne and the scars they leave behind. It is important to stay consistent when using this product to see the best results. Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster is a great OTC option.
PAULA’S CHOICE
10% AZELAIC ACID BOOSTER.
$36.00
2. Retinoids:
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives. There is Retinol, which is a natural form of vitamin A that increases cell turnover rate, and there is Retin-A, or a prescription retinoid. Both Retinol and Retin-A can help prevent acne. Retinol is found in OTC products and is weaker than Retin-A because it first has to be converted into Retinoic Acid in order to be used by the skin. Retin-A is Retinoic acid, so it is working its magic as soon as it is applied to the skin. The AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) stated that “retinoids are the core of topical therapy for acne because they are comedolytic (inhibits formation of blemishes), resolves the precursor microcomedone lesions (beginning of an acne lesion) and are an anti-inflammatory.”
What to try:
Prescription Retinoids such as Retin-A (Tretinoin), Adapalene(Differin), & Tazarotene (Tazorac) are extremely effective.
OTC products are also effective, but it is important to look at the ingredient list to make sure that the retinol is potent enough to make a difference in your skin. I have found that a lot of OTC retinols contain “filler ingredients”, or ingredients that do not add much value to the product.
Ingredients to avoid in retinol products: Shea butter (can clog pores for acne prone skin), polysorbates (can irritate the skin), alcohol (extremely drying and can exacerbate acne and aging).
January Labs’ triple active reclaiming serum has a great ingredient list with healthy, non-irritating, and effective ingredients.
January Labs
Triple Active Reclaiming Serum
$86.00
3. Benzoyl Peroxide
This ingredient works as an antiseptic to reduce the amount of bacteria underneath your skin. It also helps shed dead skin cells and helps with excess sebum or oil production. This is one of the most common and well established medications to treat acne. Dr. Rower, a dermatologist, stated “Benzoyl peroxide gel has greatly reduced the need of prescribing systematic antibiotics in the treatment of acne”. It is important to note that Benzoyl peroxide can be drying to the skin, so it is important to keep the skin barrier protected with HYDRATION. Yes, your skin needs hydration even if you are oily, or acne prone. When you don’t give your skin the moisture and hydration it needs, your sebaceous glands go into overdrive and create.. yes.. more oil. We often recommend pairing our Hyaluronic Acid Serum with acne products in order to regulate oil production and keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Skin Presence Acne Spot Treatment is a great Benzoyl Peroxide product that will banish your acne spots!
What to try:
Skin Presence by Robert Aycock, MD
Acne Spot Treatment: Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
$21.00
4. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is a beta hydoxy acid (BHA) that is derived from willow bark. It is oil soluble, so it can penetrate into the pores of the skin. Its oil soluble nature is partly why it pairs so well with acne prone skin (oily skin). This ingredient is a less aggressive approach to treating acne because it is not as drying as benzoyl peroxide, but it is still one of acne’s biggest enemies! The concentration of Salicylic Acid needed in a formula to help with acne is between .5%-2%. USP grade Salicylic Acid is important to note when looking at the ingredient list. This is the highest grade Salicylic Acid and is 99.9% pure.
What to try:
BioClarity Treat 2% Salicylic Acid is a spot treatment gel with great ingredients that will definitely help eliminate those stubborn blemishes. Skin Presence by Robert Aycock, MD Exfoliating Pads contain Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid. Using these pads all over the face once or twice a week will help chemically exfoliate skin and prevent acne lesions.
BioClarity
Treat: 2% Salicylic Acid
$14.95
Skin Presence by Robert Aycock, MD
Exfoliating Pads: 2% Salicylic Acid
$29.50
Reference:
Colonna SM. Validità dell'acido azelaico nella terapia dell'acne. Risultati clinici a distanza [Validity of azelaic acid in the therapy of acne. Long-term clinical results]. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 1989;124(10):479-484.