Have you ever cancelled plans because of a breakout? If you have, you’re not alone, with 65 per cent of young adults saying their confidence takes a hit when their skin flares up1 and around half having chosen to self-isolate during a breakout2.
Breakouts don’t bother everyone, but if your skin is bothering you, it’s reassuring to know there are proven ways to manage it. What it takes is a combination of good skincare practices, healthy habits, a few dos and don’ts and, if needed, some professional advice to help you get your main character energy back.
Here, the skin sins and saviours we swear by for breakouts and acne-prone skin.
Skincare Sins
Acne-prone skin occurs when a pore becomes blocked with excess skin cells and sebum. The blocked pore creates a haven for bacteria that can lead to a blemish forming.
Managing breakouts requires both a short- and long-term approach. But even with the best intentions, your healthy skin habits can come unstuck if you’re unknowingly sabotaging your skin. So, keep these two common skincare sins in mind, as they can make acne prone skin and breakouts worse.
Don’t change your skincare too often. Using different products all the time can work against your skin, so give it time and be patient with your skincare routine. It may take a few weeks before you see improvement.
Avoid scrubbing. Granular exfoliants and exfoliating too frequently can cause breakouts to worsen, spread and become infected. Instead, use a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser to gently remove dead skin cells which will help to clear pores. Apply on a wet face with your fingertips and massage in a circular motion before rinsing thoroughly with water.
Skincare Saviours
Happily, there are proven skincare saviours that are dermatologically formulated to target breakouts and acne-prone skin, and the Effaclar range from French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay is the number-one dermatologist recommended brand worldwide3 for a reason. The range includes cleansers, serums and moisturisers that are specifically formulated for sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin.
The key treatment moisturiser in the range, Effaclar Duo+M, is powered by Microbiome Science. It features salicylic acid, niacinamide, and a new ingredient, Phylobioma, which helps to rebalance the skin’s microbiome and targets the root cause of acne-prone skin, with results visible from just eight hours4.
In a cosmeto-clinical study, the new formulation was also shown to reduce blemishes by 44 per cent, blackheads by 66 per cent and post-acne marks by 45 per cent5, from just four weeks6. It’s also suitable for use from ten years of age (under parental supervision).
Healthy Skin Habits
The right skincare along with improved skin health practices are a proven combination to help manage breakouts, so keep these healthy skin habits in your toolbox.
- Hands off: Try to avoid touching your face unnecessarily, as it can transfer bacteria and irritate your skin. Picking at blemishes can worsen inflammation and lead to infection and scarring.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated, promoting overall skin health.
- Eat healthily: A well-balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can contribute to healthier skin. Some people find that reducing dairy and sugar intake can help with acne.
- Clean pillowcases: Change your pillowcase regularly to prevent the accumulation of oils and bacteria.
- Choose non-comedogenic: Look for makeup products that are labelled non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog your pores and exacerbate breakouts.
- Sunscreen: All day, every day, even on cloudy days. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays as part of your everyday routine. If your skin is acne-prone, choose a non-greasy and non-comedogenic product.
Know Your Skin
Everyone’s skin is different. Depending on your age, the weather, time of month, hormonal fluctuations and other factors, it can be tricky to know which products are right for your acne-prone skin. If you’re not sure, check out La Roche-Posay’s helpful Spotscan tool. It has been developed with dermatologists and uses AI technology to analyse your skin and creates a personalised routine designed for your skin’s specific needs.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3699905/.
- https://professionalbeauty.co.uk/site/newsdetails/impact-of-skin-conditions-on-peoples-mental-health#:~:text=Meanwhile%2C%2050%25%20of%20acne%20sufferers,adult%20acne%20in%20your%20salon.X
- Survey conducted among the skincare market carried out by APLUSA and other partners between January 2023 and May 2023, involving dermatologists in 34 countries, representing more than 80% of the worldwide GDP.
- Consumer self-assessment, 54 subjects, after 1 application
- Compared to previous formulation of Effaclar Duo+.
- Cosmeto-clinical study, 45 subjects, after just 4 weeks.
Our mission: a better life for sensitive skin. La Roche-Posay products are formulated with highly effective yet gentle ingredients, often inspired by the latest advances in research. Their efficacy and safety are demonstrated by stringent testing under dermatological control.
