If you have acne-prone skin, it's likely that you're still on the search for your holy grail skincare product that can banish pimples away forever! (And if you have found them, lucky you.) It can be easy to get lost in the skincare aisle, just reading labels and not knowing if they're going to cause your skin more bad than good. Plus, you're most likely to get sucked into the marketing claims of all the products—those claiming that they can zap your zits overnight, or that they can miraculously make your large pores vanish (Not possible, btw. Sad.)
To help you, here is a guide on the skincare ingredients you should look for the next time you buy products for your acne-prone skin.
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Salicylic acid
This ingredient is commonly seen in skincare products marketed for oily, acne-prone skin. It's a BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) that keeps pores clean by gently exfoliating dead skin cells. It's best to start at a low percentage (such as 2 percent) so as not to irritate your skin and cause more pimples.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Try: COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser, P540, BeautyMNL
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AHAs
AHAs, or Alpha Hydroxy Acids, is a chemical exfoliant that aids cell turnover, which means that the faster your skin cells are replenish, the quicker the breakouts heal. As with all skincare products dealing with acids, it's best to start small and introduce it to your skincare regimen in tiny doses, such as in your serum or toner.
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓watch nowTry: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, P900, BeautyMNL
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Sulfur
Sulfur is the safer option if your skin gets easily irritated by common acne-fighting ingredients such as glycolic acid. It absorbs excess oil and gently removes dead skin cells, leaving behind smoother, brighter skin!
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Try: Dr. Kaufmann Medicated Sulfur Soap
Dr. Kauffman Medicated Sulfur Soap, P43, Watsons
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Tea tree oil
This ingredient is a certified crowd favorite when it comes to drying out pimples! This natural remedy has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that calm down irritated skin. Something to note though, is that tea tree oil can be too strong for some people, so it's a good idea to dilute it with water or a carrier oil.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Try: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, P495, Lazada
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Retinol
Retinol hits two birds with one stone, because it's great for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, plus they help with cell turnover. Since this can make the skin more sensitive, it's advised to follow it up with a good moisturizer and sunscreen.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Try: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalene
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalene, P1,100, BeautyMNL
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Clay
This natural ingredient works hard in vacuuming out the gunk and oil from your skin, and is a godsend for those with oily or acne-prone skin. (Plus, a face with a clay mask on is just so IG-worthy, right?) However, using a clay mask everyday can dry your skin out even if you have the oiliest complexion. It's best to use it once or twice a week as lil' pick-me-up for your skin.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Try: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, P525, Watsons
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Witch hazel
Witch hazel is both a disinfectant and astringent, so it's very effective in drawing out oil and cleansing and calming the skin down. It also prevents acne-causing bacteria from entering the skin.
Try: Dickinson's Original Pore Perfecting Toner
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Dickinson's Original Pore Perfecting Toner, P399, Healthy Options
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Hyaluronic acid
Acne-prone skin and oiliness almost always come hand in hand, so oily-skinned people are usually wary of moisturizers because they can feel heavy on the skin or can cause clogged pores. Thanks to innovative skincare products, there are moisturizers that come in a gel formula that's lightweight on the skin. Try one with hyaluronic acid (which can hold 1000x its weight in water! So cool, right?) so that your skin stays hydrated. This prevents the oil glands from going into overdrive with the sebum production, thus causing more pimples.
Try: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, P898, Watsons
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