The Top 5 Ingredients for Acne Prone Skin | Face Club

The Top 5 Ingredients for Acne Prone Skin | Face Club

We know firsthand that dealing with acne can be physically and emotionally painful, but choosing the right ingredients for your skin can really make a difference. With so many options out there, it's easy to get overwhelmed. At Face Club, we know the key drivers of acne such as retention keratosis, excess sebum production, and impaired skin barrier function. Let’s explore the top five ingredients that can help you manage acne and improve your overall skin health!

1. Vitamin A (Retinoids)

Vitamin A is the gold standard for treating acne-prone skin. Not only does it increase the rate of cellular renewal, it regulates skin cell ‘shedding’ within the sebaceous gland so they don’t clog and form acne. Vitamin A also regulates sebum production which is beneficial for oily skin. There are multiple forms of Vitamin A, ranging from prescription grade retinoic acid (Retin-A, Tretinoin, Tactupump, Benzaclin, etc.), to Retinaldehyde, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate/Propionate). These all convert to pure retinoic acid in the skin and have varying degrees of sensitization. The Face Club approach is to choose gentle formulations (Retinol and Retinyl, sometimes Retinol) , and use daily in a low-and-slow approach to yield the best results without compromising the integrity of the skin barrier.

Product Recommendation: Osmosis Clarify Retinal Serum 

  • This acne serum is packed with Vitamin A in the form of Retinaldehyde to help clear up acne by speeding up cellular renewal and regulating oil production.


2. Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid is a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) that is one of the longest standing ingredients to treat acne and congestion. This exfoliant is oil-soluble, meaning it easily penetrates the sebum blockages in the pore to exfoliate within the follicle and stop the growth of bacteria, ultimately reducing inflammation. Salicylic Acid is a hero ingredient for anyone struggling with acne, although it can be sensitizing for some skin. This is why we recommend weekly application with a mask, combining other acids and acne-fighting ingredients for an effective at home treatment.

Product Recommendation: Environ Hydroxy Acid Sebu Clear Masque

  • This mask is formulated with Salicylic Acid, making it the perfect weekly treatment for reducing stubborn acne and calming your skin.


3. Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that gently exfoliates, reduces inflammation, and inhibits tyrosinase for smooth, even skin. It is a great option for rosacea, acne, and hyperpigmentation due to the inflammatory nature of these skin conditions. Azelaic Acid is especially great in treating post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), the red/purple/brown marks left behind after an acne breakout.

Product Recommendation: Anfisa Ân-Dew 10% Azelaic Acid + PHA Serum

  • Infused with Azelaic Acid and PHA, this serum clarifies and mildly exfoliates the skin. It’s excellent for refining the pores and smoothing texture, without disrupting inflamed, acne-prone skin.


4. Mandelic Acid

Derived from bitter almonds, Mandelic Acid is an AHA exfoliant that’s especially good for pigmentation, scarring and acne. This acid has a larger molecule size, meaning it helps improve your skin’s texture and clarity without causing irritation, making it a great ingredient for anyone dealing with inflamed acne.

Product Recommendation: Osmosis Clarify Retinal Serum

  • This product features Mandelic Acid, combined with Vitamin A to gently exfoliate and brighten your skin while helping with acne.


5. Trioxolane

Trioxolane is a patented, calming ingredient which neutralizes toxins, calms inflammation, activates epidermal wound repair, minimizes the appearance of pores and age spots, and improves skin texture. Trioxolane also works to repair blemished skin due to its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It’s perfect for anyone with acne-prone skin looking to reduce redness, restore a healthy skin barrier, and improve texture/tone.

Product Recommendation: Osmosis Rescue Epidermal Repair Serum

  • This serum contains Trioxolane to help fight breakouts and support skin recovery, leading to clearer, healthier skin.


Conclusion

Using any of these five ingredients in your skincare routine can greatly improve the health of your skin and help you manage acne. At Face Club, we offer a variety of products expertly formulated with these ingredients to help you achieve clear skin.

Book a Consultation


Remember, understanding your skin’s needs and the right ingredients for acne is super important. For personalized advice tailored to your skin concerns, take our Skin Quiz or Book a Virtual Consultation with a Face Club Skin Therapist today!