From gentle cleansers to affordable serums, we’ll be focusing on self-love and acceptance this National Acne Positivity Day. Here’s a list of skincare must-haves to help those with acne get comfortable in their own skin.
With 1st September being National Acne Positivity Day in the U.S., we have decided to focus on skincare-must-haves for acne-prone skin. While many of us think of acne as a terribly annoying and devastating issue in a society that prioritizes one’s appearance, it actually is an increasingly common and prevalent skin condition around the world.
As someone who has been battling hormonal acne and the occasional breakouts, I understand how crucial it is to form a gentle yet effective skincare routine. Truth is, there’s nothing embarrassing about having acne and it’s important to realize that it’s a normal part of every individual’s life. Skin is a beautiful thing, wear it well! While we can’t avoid acne altogether, we can definitely do something in our routines to help combat and prevent further flare-ups. With that, here is a list of highly recommended skincare must-haves that will soothe and nourish your skin gently (and effectively)!
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1. Tatcha: The Rice Wash Cleanser
Image credits: Glamorable
Starting with the most essential step in any skincare routine, a gentle yet powerful facial cleanser is crucial to anyone with acne-prone skin. This pH-neutral cream cleanser will gently purify your skin while providing a layer of moisture. Containing Japanese rice powder and Okinawa algae blend infused with hyaluronic acid, Tatcha’s Rice Wash cleanser naturally softens and boosts your skin’s luminosity while replenishing its natural moisture reservoir. This ensures that your pores will be deeply cleaned without drying your skin out, preventing further acne outbreaks. It’s perfect for individuals with combination or acne-prone oily skin!
Head down to Tatcha’s official website or your local Sephora outlets to find this amazing rice wash cleanser — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
2. Neutrogena: Oil-Free Acne Wash Facial Cleanser
Image credits: Neutrogena
If you prefer a facial cleanser without fragrance, try the skincare cult favourite — Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash cleanser!
This cleanser is filled with 2% salicylic acid, which helps to dissolve your dead skin cells and unclog your pores. For individuals struggling with whiteheads and blackheads, this cleanser is an absolute dream as it has LHA, a more gentle acne solution, and is free of oils, fragrances and parabens – reducing and tightening your pores for a fraction of the price.
Shop for this cleanser at any local Guardian or Watsons outlet now — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
3. COSRX: Centella Water Alcohol-free Toner
Image credits: BeautyTap
No brand targets acne better than Korean brand COSRX, which has proven to be the best in the game with its award-winning skincare lines.
The Centella Water Alcohol-free toner is a watery spray-type product containing Jeju mineral water, which improves skin condition while supplying vitamins and minerals. Incorporating the famous Centella Asiatica Leaf water, this toner relaxes and comforts stressed-out skin.
Another benefit of this toner is that it does not contain alcohol, which tends to dry skin and is detrimental to acne-prone skin. Lastly, this toner contains madecassoside, which aids in reducing inflammation and encourages collagen manufacturing to aid in wound healing. Get ready to say bye-bye to those pesky pimples with this miracle product!
You can find this toner on COSRX’s official website or on Hush SG — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
4. Biossance: Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimising Toner
Image credits: Biossance
For those who don’t mind investing a few more dollars into their skincare routine, consider Biossance’s Squalane and BHA Pore-Minimising toner.
Alcohol and paraben-free, this toner contains active, vital ingredients such as white willow bark extract (BHA) and caviar lime extract (AHA) to exfoliate the skin while providing immense hydration with squalene at the same time.
This gentle formula is great for a secondary cleanser and won’t cause extra irritation. It even minimizes the look of your pores over time! You can’t go wrong with this magical toner. Definitely my personal holy grail item.
Shop for this toner now at Biossance’s official website or at your local Sephora outlet — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
5. The Ordinary: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Image credits: The Mariette Blog
Moving on to the most anticipated skincare step – serums! With The Ordinary taking the world by storm with its affordable yet effective serums, there is no doubt that you should add this product to your routine.
The high-strength vitamin and mineral formula clears congested skin and blemishes with its main ingredient, niacinamide (Vitamin B3). Coupled with zinc salt, this serum significantly reinforces the skin barrier function, improves smoothness and increases skin radiance over time.
For better results, you can pair this serum alongside other acne products. It should be noted that this serum is not a treatment for persistent acne!
Check out this serum and others on The Ordinary’s official website or your local Sephora outlets — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
6. Paula’s Choice: 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
Image credits: Paula’s Choice
While it is not precisely a serum, Paula’s Choice’s 2% BHA liquid exfoliant feels like one and is meant to be applied at the same step as regular serums – after cleansing and before moisturizers.
Being the brand’s bestseller, this gentle leave-on exfoliant contains salicylic acid and helps to unclog pores, smooth wrinkles, and brighten skin tone. The BHA targets built-up layers of skin, shedding old dead skin cells to promote rejuvenation, and minimizing enlarged pores.
Although the brand claims that the product is gentle enough to be used daily, I find that incorporating this into a daily ritual will be too intensive for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Instead, try using this two to three times a week with alternating skincare products for the best results.
Find this product at Paula’s Choice’s official website — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
7. La Roche-Posay: Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturiser with SPF
Image credits: Allure
Formulated with prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide, and glycerin, La Roche-Posay’s oil-free moisturizer provides all-day hydration with SPF protection for healthy-looking skin.
As a skincare cult favourite, La Roche-Posay is known for having its products tested on sensitive skin (and it works amazingly!) and is approved by dermatologists worldwide. Its signature prebiotic thermal water is sourced naturally in France and contains minerals, trace elements, and a high concentration of selenium, a natural antioxidant.
Mimicking the natural oils in the skin, the ceramides in this moisturizer helps to maintain a healthy skin barrier while supporting the moisture barrier. Additionally, the SPF 30 helps prevent sun irritation and further acne breakouts. For individuals with sensitive yet dry skin, this is the perfect two-in-one day moisturizer.
Check out this product at La Roche-Posay’s official website or at your nearest Watsons outlet — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
8. belif: The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Image credits: Sephora
For those who are looking for intense moisturization while still targeting prominent acne bumps during the day, belif has the perfect product for you.
The True Cream Aqua Bomb is an ultra-lightweight cooling gel-cream that floods the skin with moisture and hydration without any sticky residue. This moisturiser refreshes your skin on hot summer days while targeting fine lines, acne scars, and discolouration.
While those with an oily skin type might avoid this product, fret not, this product does not make your skin feel heavy or greasy. Injected with a blend of apothecary herbs, the True Cream Aqua Bomb speeds up the healing of pimples with plantain leaf extract, protects the skin from free radicals with malachite extract, and soothes the skin with oat kernel, nettle, and marigold extracts. Perfect for all skin types (oily, normal, combination skin) dealing with acne flare-ups.
Get this jelly-like moisturizer at belif’s official website, The Face Shop, or at your local Sephora outlet — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
9. Klairs: Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Image credits: Klair’s Cosmetics
Another K-beauty favourite, the Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream is a gentle azulene-rich blue cream (yes, the color of the cream is an immense blue) that helps to rapidly calm your skin and soothe sensitivity.
Formulated with guaiazulene, the light Korean cream is packed with anti-inflammatory properties that target the red swelling often seen with problematic acne for clearer skin. Derived from plants such as chamomile, the ingredient is a natural and powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental stressors.
Aside from that, this moisturizer contains Centella Asiatica extract (just like #3!), Portulaca oleracea (purslane) extract, and Anthemis nobilis flower (Roman chamomile) extract to soothe the skin. It also contains shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba seed oil for hydration and nourishment.
Don’t shy away from its striking color, as the cream melts into the skin and does not discolor it. If you have oily and acne-prone skin, this moisturizer is great as it calms the redness and can be used as an overnight spot treatment.
What are you waiting for? Get the Klaris Midnight Blue Calming Cream from the Klairs official website or your nearest Guardian outlet — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
10. Laniege: Cica Sleeping Mask
Image credits: Sephora
Last but not least, the Laniege Cica Sleeping Mask is a must-have for any skincare fanatic!
Pulling this product out of my personal skincare list, I can confidently say that this sleeping mask doubles up as a night-time moisturizer for any individual with sensitive and dry skin. Formulated with Forest Yeast, the Cica sleeping mask delivers intense moisture to soothe stressed skin and visibly strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.
If you experience constant breakouts and redness, this product has proved to soothe irritated skin and plumps up my skin overnight! Trust me, you do not want to leave this out of your routine.
Check out Laniege’s official website or your local Sephora outlet for this holy grail sleeping mask — one of our skincare must-haves for acne-prone skin.
Pamper Your Acne-Prone With These Skincare Must-Haves
Now that you’ve found your new list of skincare holy grails to take care of your acne problems, you’re ready to change up your self-care game! Whether you’re buying skincare essentials or investing in face masks that will get you that effortless sheen, don’t forget to pay with your YouTrip card to make full use of our Wholesale Exchange Rates and skip those pesky bank fees.
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Happy National Acne Positivity Day!
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