On cosmetic bottles, there is a proliferation of cutting-edge and trendy active ingredients that promise us beautiful, clear skin without imperfections. And in our never-ending quest to achieve radiant, balanced and healthy skin, it’s easy to get carried away by the latest skincare trends and ‘miracle’ products with tempting promises. However, against unsightly blackheads, small painful red or white pimples, dilated pores, oily skin after a few hours and diffuse redness linked to acne, it is better to know how to choose your products carefully by opting for simple and proven ingredients that will have real effectiveness.
So, to regain clear skin, discover these beauty industry gems that work miracles on combination, oily or normal skin prone to papule breakouts, microcysts, blackheads and excess sebum to use alone or combined in your skincare routine.
The key ingredients against pimples and acne
Tea tree extract, one of the best natural ingredients against pimples
Tea tree essential oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which make it a popular natural remedy for acne. It can help reduce existing acne breakouts and prevent new breakouts, while soothing irritated skin. This explains why we find it everywhere, from facial cleanser to moisturizer, purifying mask, toner and even anti-blemish serum.
Salicylic acid
Also prized against dandruff and plaques (seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis in mind), this ingredient is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates deep into pores to remove dead skin cells, excess sebum and impurities, helping to purify them and unblock. It also helps reduce inflammation and prevent future breakouts such as the appearance of blackheads. Salicylic acid is as useful for reducing the appearance of pores as it is for fading hyperpigmentation spots. However, it is not only used to remove imperfections. As an exfoliating agent, this acid also helps remove dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover to reveal smoother, brighter skin.
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful antiseptic which kills the bacteria responsible for acne. It also helps remove excess oil and reduce inflammation. It is often used in targeted treatments to apply directly to spots or even cleansers for the treatment of mild to moderate acne.
Fruit acids, great ingredients against pimples and to even out skin tone
Fruit acids are alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), acids derived from various fruits (citrus fruits, apples, grapes, kiwi, etc.) or sugar cane. One of the most commonly used AHAs is glycolic acidfrom sugar cane. Due to its small molecule size, it can easily penetrate the skin and thus helps exfoliate the surface layer to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores to purify them. In doing so, it will promote cell renewal and improve the texture of acne-prone skin, especially in the presence of acne scars.
Other AHAs, such as lactic acid (from milk and more suitable for sensitive skin or dry skin) and citric acid (from citrus fruits and antioxidant), are also often found in acne treatments because of their exfoliating and lightening properties to purify the skin, reduce dark spots, reduce the signs of skin aging, and bring purity and radiance to the complexion.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
This versatile ingredient regulates sebum production, reduces inflammation and fades hyperpigmentation spots caused by acne. Soothing and hydratingthis active ingredient also strengthens the skin barrier, thus helping to protect the skin against external aggressions and maintaining its natural hydration. Thanks to these properties, this treatment is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin prone to acne.
Azelaic acid
This dicarboxylic acid derived from wheat, barley and barley, is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria, fade brown and red spots associated with acne, and smooth skin texture.
Retinal, one of the most unknown ingredients against pimples
In addition to its anti-aging properties, retinal has anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties which can help treat acne and improve skin condition (although sometimes there is a purge time where acne appears to increase before significantly decreasing). This active ingredient helps to eliminate dead skin cells and unclog pores. Retinal can also contribute to better skin texture through cell regeneration and stimulating collagen production, which can fade acne scars and smooth the skin’s surface. Finally, it can also help to reduce pigment spots left by acne, thus evening out the complexion.
Sulfur and zinc
Sulfur is a antibacterial and keratolytic ingredient which helps remove excess oil and provide gentle exfoliation of the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of pimples and blackheads, especially in cases of mild to moderate inflammatory acne or comedonal acne.
Very anti-inflammatory, zinc allows it tosoothe existing acne breakouts and help prevent new breakouts. It also regulates the production of sebum, one of the main causes of acne, so as to reduce excessive shine of the skin and prevent clogging of pores, thus contributing to the prevention of pimples. He also has antibacterial properties to prevent acne breakouts and healing properties to fade acne scars and marks by promoting the healing process of skin lesions. Finally, its little extra is that it can be used topically in creams, gels or lotions, or taken as a food supplement to reinforce the benefits for the skin from the inside thanks to a regulatory effect on systemic inflammationan inflammation throughout the body associated with severe and persistent acne.