Here are the best skincare products for blemish-prone skin.
The thing with blemishes is that they are so much more than just a pimple here and there. When you’re breaking out, it can have a huge impact on your life from wanting to hide your skin under thick layers of makeup, to never wanting to leave the house again, we get you. And on the topic of not wanting to leave the house, while in-clinic treatments are a great way to stop a blemish flare-up in its tracks, so too is being armed with an effective at-home skincare routine. And if you’ve got nothing planned except a Netflix binge, why not include an blemish-fighting skincare routine while you’re at it?
What causes blemishes?
The first step for successfully treating your blemishes is understanding the cause. And while this may seem simple enough, it’s highly changeable depending on the person. There are a host of different things that can be contributing to your breakouts from stress to hormones. But, there are a few universal truths when it comes to preventing breakouts and treating them when they do pay you a visit. Here are a few of the main causes of blemishes.
Not keeping your face clean
It may seem like common sense to most, but a common cause of blemishes is not keeping your face clean. Incorporating a good cleanser morning and night is a non-negotiable when it comes to effective skincare. If you’re prone to breakouts, try one that includes blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide.
But keeping your skin clean also goes beyond the realm of your bathroom. If you’re a gym bunny, for example, try keeping some makeup wipes or toner in your car so you can wash away sweat build up post-workout. If you’re going straight from work, try removing your makeup before you work out.
Spending too much time in the sun
This one tends to shock some people as there is a very prominent and harmful wives tale that somehow being in the skin helps to treat blemishes. In fact, the only thing excessive sun exposure is good for is drying out your skin. Sweat and dry skin are actually a breeding ground for breakouts so try and stay out of the sun as much as you can, and if you can’t avoid it ensure you have a hardworking SPF on hand.
Hormones
One of the most common skin conditions from hormonal imbalances are blemishes. When we are experiencing higher levels of skin-altering hormones, our skin might produce excess sebum that can combine with dead skin cells and cause pore blockages which can lead to blemishes. Unfortunately, sebum-filled pores are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that can live and colonise in the pores, this is why hormonal blemishes often manifest as very ‘angry’ and inflamed pimples.
If you notice a deep, throbbing pain in your chin or along your jawline, chances are these are hormone-related. It’s very common for hormonal blemishes to show up around this area, and it can cause a world of pain.
Hydration and diet
They say beauty comes from the inside out and this couldn’t be more true when it comes to blemishes. The foods we eat and how much water we consume will have a huge impact on our skin health and yes, this includes breakouts.
Try and drink at least eight glasses of water a day and eat a balanced diet to ensure your skin is glowing from within. If you struggle to reach your water goals, try consuming water-rich foods.
General hygiene practices
General hygiene is really important when it comes to both prevention and cure of spots. You might not think your hair would impact the health of your skin, however washing your hair regularly can help prevent breakouts due to your hair making contact with your face and transferring oil (especially around the forehead area).
Anything that goes near your face (including your face itself) needs to be kept as clean as possible to avoid bacteria-causing breakouts. This includes cleaning your makeup brushes and beauty blenders regularly. We recommend once every 1-2 weeks - use lukewarm water and your cleanser and give them a good clean. The same goes for your pillowcases!
The best skincare routine for blemish-prone skin
Start with a good cleanser
Cleansers are often the unsung heroes of the skincare world. But, the first step in your skincare routine is equally as important as the last and it begs respect, especially if you suffer from blemishes. Cleansers, by nature, are designed to prep and purify the skin and while it may not be as exciting as the latest serum sweeping social media by storm, it can be the difference between a good skincare routine and a great one.
Incorporating salicylic acid into your cleanser is a great way of giving your skin a deep cleanse. The Murad Clarifying Cleanser does exactly that. This cleanser clears pores and treats blemishes, even after you’ve rinsed it off. Formulated with salicylic acid, AKA blemishes arch nemesis, this cleanser will get to work treating immediately as soon as it touches the skin. Green tea extract simultaneously works to soothe and calm angry and painful blemishes.
Exfoliate, but don’t overdo it
Chemical exfoliants such as AHA/BHA exfoliants help to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells - this will reveal newer and healthier skin within. This will in turn help to improve your cell turnover, unclog your pores and improve the skin's brightness. However excessive scrubbing can dry out your skin and worsen your breakouts rather than improve them. If you’re blemish-prone try reducing your exfoliation frequency to once or twice a week.
Time for toner
After you’ve cleansed you probably think your skin is clean, right? But if you’ve been layering on products in the a.m, especially products like sunscreen (which you should ALL be using everyday) that can be hard to break down, then a toner is a crucial step.
Water-based cleansers often don't quite wash the entire day off your skin, so a toner is a crucial step to ensuring the skin is clean, prepped and primed for your serums and moisturisers to work their magic overnight. It also improves oiliness and can help to fight acne and stop breakouts from occurring by removing harmful bacteria from the skin. The Murad Clarifying Toner is the perfect solution for oily or blemish-prone skin types. Instantly removing oil and impurities works to eliminate excess oil and keep pores clear, stopping blemish-creating bacteria in its tracks.
The best serums for blemish-prone skin
Retinol for blemishes
Because retinols work to increase cell turnover, they can in turn help to prevent all kinds of blemishes from blackheads to cysts. That’s because retinol works on a cellular level to help kickstart the cell turnover rate, which can result in less inflammation and slow down the skin's oil production. These are all key skin functions that are known to cause and exacerbate breakouts.
The Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is a fast-acting formula that combines 3 retinol technologies as well as hyaluronic acid to reduce the sign of premature ageing and increase cell turnover. This will work to reduce the appearance of active breakouts, while also preventing further breakouts and lessen your chances of getting long-term post-blemish pigmentation and scarring. The hyaluronic acid will also work to keep the skin barrier happy and healthy.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide works by reducing sebum and oil production, which can contribute to pimples and enlarged pores. Niacinamide also harnesses antibacterial properties to help treat mild cases of blemishes and calm breakouts. While it may not be as targeted as treatments like salicylic acid or retinoids, incorporating niacinamide into your routine can help manage oil production and prevent breakouts, making it an excellent alternative for those with dehydrated oily skin or sensitivity to stronger ingredients.
Consider an at-home peel
An at home peel is a fantastic skin care accouterment to keep in your apothecary (or your bathroom cabinet). Murad’s Daily Clarifying Peel is an easy derm-approved solution that clears pores and evens out texture. Incorporating retinoid, glycolic acid and salicyic acid, just shake up the trifecta of powerhouse ingredients for softer, smoother skin.
Have a spot treatment handy
Keep a strong spot treatment like the Rapid Relief Spot Treatment in your handbag at all times. These maximum-strength treatments work to reduce blemish size and redness in just four hours. So once you feel one coming on, try to treat it early to prevent it from developing.
Lock it in with a hydrating moisturiser
When it comes to blemish-prone skin it's less about the moisturiser itself and more about what’s in it. Try to incorporate either a moisturiser that includes soothing and calming ingredients, or one that includes blemish-fighting ingredients such as retinol.
The Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream is a great option for blemish-prone skin types as it incorporates nourishing fatty acids that repair flaky and dry skin on a cellular level. Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is key when you’re incorporating a lot of active ingredients. This moisturiser ensures that your skin barrier is strengthened, nourished and repaired. This will not only mean that your skin looks and feels healthier, but also that the active ingredients will perform better, maximising their results.
Final thoughts
It’s important to remember that blemishes come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. For some, it’s cyclical and you’ll notice you get breakouts around the hormonal areas during that time of the month. For others, it's that pesky patch on your skin that seems to be perpetually inhabited by some form of bump, blackhead or breakout. And then there’s severe blemishes which is usually classified by large, painful clusters that are very red and aggravated. If you fit into the last category - get thee to a dermatologist! There may be an underlying issue as to why you’re suffering, from diet to genetics.
However, having a suite of high-performing ingredients and products is a great way to kickstart your journey to clear, healthy skin.