Bye Bye Breakouts

Have you ever looked at the label of a cleanser just to be greeted by ingredients you didn't know the use of? This article is a crash course on the most common medicinal ingredients found in acne fighting skincare.

Salicylic Acid - This acid is a chemical exfoliator and an excellent option for clearing up breakouts that have minimal inflammation - such as black and whiteheads. Salicylic acid sloughs off dead skin cells that can cause breakouts.

Benzoyl Peroxide - Truly a superstar in acne treatments, benzoyl peroxide can be found in various products for acneic skin. Benzoyl peroxide works by reducing the amount of P. acne bacteria on the skin and reducing excess oil and dead skin cells in the pores.

Retinol - An effective treatment for acne and acne scars, retinol exfoliates while stimulating the production of elastin and collagen. Exfoliation prevents breakouts, while increased collagen production reduces the look of acne scars over time.

Sulfur - With its antimicrobial properties, sulfur is a gentler alternative to benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Sulfur works by absorbing excess sebum and clearing pores of dead skin cells. While an effective treatment of milder forms of acne, sulfur is not recommended as the sole treatment of moderate to severe forms of acne - such as pustules or cystic acne.

Be sure to do your research before adding a medicinal ingredient to your routine! For example, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are often used together for optimal acne reduction, but neither should be used at the same time as retinol. If using retinol along with other acne treatments, apply retinol in the evening and space it out from your other topicals.  

In the meantime, take care of your skin and don't forget...