The 5 Best Skincare Ingredients To Kick Acne’s Butt

Acne, blemishes, breakouts, pimples, spots - all unwelcome guests that overstay their welcome, putting a damper on our complexion. But fear not, for there are five superhero ingredients ready to swoop in and save the day. From the exfoliating prowess of salicylic acid to the skin barrier support of ceramides these ingredients are here to kick acne's butt and give you a complexion worth flaunting. So, put on your acne-fighting cape and get ready to show those pesky pimples who's boss!

1. BHA / Salicylic Acid

BHA helps remove excess oil and exfoliate dead skin cells from the skin's surface to keep pores clear. It is the go-to ingredient that we turn to when dealing with oily, blemish-prone skin. 

Find BHA in:

Clear Skin Multi Fruit Acid Serum

Clear Skin Anti Blemish Face Wash

Resurfacing Active Moisture Cream

All BHA skincare

2. AHAs

AHAs such as Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid help treat acne by removing dead skin cells and calming inflamed skin. Alpha hydroxy acids also encourage new, smoother skin to be revealed, which helps improve the look of acne scars and pores.

Find AHAs in:

Resurfacing Active Moisture Cream

Resurfacing Micro Dermabrasion Facial Exfoliating Scrub 

Brightening Correction Peel

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Keep reading: The Ultimate Guide to Skincare Acids

3. Niacinamide (B3)

You can’t turn a corner without seeing the multiple benefits of Niacinamide being gushed over, and it has become a favourite go-to for those wanting brighter, glowier skin. Not only does Niacinamide help achieve an even skin tone, it also assists in skin barrier support, retaining moisture and helping balance oil production. All essential elements for clear, spot-free skin.

Find Niacinamide in:

Brightening Serum

Age Reversal Niacinamide + Vitamin Complex Serum

Clear Skin Intensive Spot Serum

Essentials Hydrating Gel Cream

Essentials Deep Hydration Moisture Cream

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Keep Reading: Ingredient focus: Niacinamide

4. Ceramides 

As well as fighting acne, it is important to support the skin barrier and keep your skin moisturised and hydrated. Dry and dehydrated skin can result in reduced desquamation and blocked pores, it also encourages sebum production through the hair follicles catalysing blemishes and breakouts. Ceramides are instrumental in the skin barrier function and topical ceramides help improve this function which is essential for assisting acne-affected skin.

Find Ceramides in:

Essentials Deep Hydration Moisture Cream

Essentials Hydrating & Healing Serum

Rebalancing Day Cream

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5. Vitamin A / Retinol

Yes, our favourite wrinkle-prevention solution also works against pimples! Retinol helps limit key factors of what causes blemishes. It does this by increasing skin cell turnover, regulating oil production and reducing over keratinised skin cells within hair follicles that can block pores.

Find Vitamin A in:

Essentials Pure Luxurious Retinol Oil

Rebalancing Vitamin A Night Cream

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Keep reading: How to use the Skin Clarifying Kit for clear, clarified skin