As is with all skincare regimes, what products help clear acne-prone concerns will depend on your unique skin type. Combination, oily, sensitive, and even dry skin types can all experience breakouts and blemishes – though it tends to occur most frequently in oily skin types.
Finding products that help with acne-related symptoms can be tricky with so many varied formulas. The best way to break down what will work for you is by ingredient. Some anti-acne elements are suitable for sensitive skin, and some effectively address shine in oil skin types. A range of exfoliants like LHA and BHAs, moisturizing agents, and antioxidants can aid in this common skin concern.
Ahead, see what helps clear acne while supporting your skin type. Learn what products to use and find a skincare regime that works for you. There are acne skincare products formulated for each skin type.
Find your best acne treatments.
It is approximated that some 85 percent of Australians will suffer from acne in their lifetime. Finding an effective acne treatment can be difficult, leaving many to rely on makeup products to cover blemished skin. Although makeup offers a reprieve from the appearance of acne, some products contain comedogenic ingredients that can further irritate pimples – so it’s essential to strike a balance and find formulas that suit your skin.
If you want products to reduce acne-prone concerns, incorporate formulas with proven ingredients for clearer skin long-term. Essential for every skin type is broad-spectrum and high SPF sunscreen. Explore our guide on How To Choose Sunscreen For Oily Skin to learn more.
Is it okay to cover up acne with makeup products?
According to McAdam, no, it’s generally not ideal to cover acne with makeup products because they contain ingredients that can clog pores.
What to use for acne will depend on your specific skin type. Find an effective skincare regime based on complementary ingredients to help combat pimples and breakouts. In the interim, if you want coverage, look for the term “non-comedogenic” on your cosmetic products, as this means they will be free from pore-clogging ingredients.
How do you help apparent acne-related symptoms?
What is suitable for acne-related concerns can depend on the individual. When seeking your best products to help with acne, look for ingredients such as salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid) and niacinamide (vitamin B3) to decongest the skin.
Cleaning morning and night is essential. A gentle exfoliation a few times a week will help clear pores and reduce marks, while a non-irritating moisturizer will work to hydrate and comfort skin. If issues persist, speak to your healthcare professional about your options.
What are some of the best formulas for pimples?
Cleansers, spot treatments, and masks are the most well-known products that help with acne-related symptoms, but what about the other steps? Does moisturizer help acne? The answer is yes – every step in effective routines works together to address skin concerns. To support and improve complexions, each product in a skincare regime should work in unison. The La Roche-Posay Effaclar range of skincare products is specially formulated for acne-prone concerns.
Cleanser
Regarding our best face wash for pimples, Effaclar Foaming Gel Cleanser ticks all the boxes: It’s soap-free and provides comfort to the skin thanks to the addition of La Roche-Posay’s signature ingredient, Thermal Spring Water Facial Mist. It cleanses thoroughly and is an effective acne routine when paired with the Effaclar Duo (+) Anti-skincare Acne Moisturizer.
Suppose prescribed medication such as Isotretinoin, La Roche Posay’s Effaclar H Iso-Biome Wash is designed to bring moisture back into the skin. It uses a combination of lipids and niacinamide to support the skin moisture barrier and soothe feelings of tightness.
For skin that experiences high oil flow, Effaclar Micellar Water Ultra Oily Skin effectively cleanses sebum with purifying zinc. The refreshing, aqua-like texture helps the skin to wake up, and thermal spring water helps to maintain balanced hydration.
After cleansing, those with excess oil flow can incorporate a clay mask into routines. Once a week, use Effaclar Anti-Acne Purifying Clay Mask to draw out excess sebum and address shine. The nourishing texture and inclusion of vitamin B5 with kaolin clay are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive ones.
Anti-acne serum
Serums are some of the best formulas to help with acne-related concerns, thanks to their ability to penetrate skin deeply. Different recipes benefit different skin types, so knowing which one to use for acne-prone skin is essential.
We recommend Effaclar Anti-Acne Salicylic Acid Serum for normal to oily skin types. The combination of LHAs and salicylic acid unclogs pores and micro-exfoliates the skin, helping to promote a clarified complexion. Concerns like blackheads, pimples, and acne marks are all targeted by this formula.
Skin with post-acne marks can benefit from niacinamide. Hydrating and nourishing, niacinamide serums like Pure Niacinamide Serum for Dark Spots focus on evening skin tone while gently exfoliating the skin. Suitable for sensitive skin, the pure 10% niacinamide serum combined with hyaluronic acid is a multitasking hero – helping to even skin tone, hydrate, and brighten skin.
For those who want to reduce pore size, a retinol serum can benefit your nighttime skincare regime. Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum helps resurface fresh skin cells, improving skin tone and texture. This increased turnover of skin cells assists in shedding dead skin, preventing them from clogging pores. Those with sensitive skin can benefit from this serum, too – gradual introduction into nightly routines is advised.
Corrective moisturiser
For mild to moderate acne-prone skin, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Anti-Acne Moisturiser is an anti-blemish moisturizer formulated to target acne, marks, redness, and oiliness. It contains salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that helps dissolve pore-clogging oil and bacteria. It also contains procerad, niacinamide, and zinc to brighten, soothe, and regulate oiliness.
Oily skin types are sometimes wary of moisturizers. Though it may seem antithetical, moisturizer products that help with acne concerns can deliver visible results. Effaclar H Isobiome Moisturiser addresses excess oil and supports skin by balancing moisture ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and thermal water. This ensures the proper hydration levels– needed to restore regulated oil flow.
Matte formulas can help to reduce shine across all skin types. Effaclar Matte Anti-Shine Moisturiser is designed to skin oiliness and mattify complexions visibly. This can assist in refining the appearance of pores. Formulated with LHAs and Sebulyse to help regulate sebum production, skin still receives nourishing moisture content.
Part of what helps clear acne-prone concerns is paring back routines when breakouts occur. As discussed, makeup products can further clog pores and cover skin. Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant Tinted Anti-Acne Moisturiser: When blemishes are present, allow the skin to breathe with a tinted moisturizer alternative. Delivers light coverage for an even complexion while targeting acne-prone skin with ingredients like prebiotic aqua pose filiformis and mannose.
How to clear mild acne concerns vs. persistent?
Acne-prone concerns can range from mild and inconsistent to persistent. Products that help with acne symptoms also vary depending on need. Effaclar spotscan To help formulate a skincare regime that’s right for you, La Roche-Posay developed – an acne-prone skin diagnosis tool. Find our skincare products to suit your skin with an AI diagnosis, all from home.