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Whoever said that acne only happened during puberty was wrong. Things like your genetics, hormonal cycle, diet, – and even how often you change your pillowcases! – can determine how often you get acne and what type of acne you get, regardless of how long ago you hit puberty.
Luckily, skincare is one of the most popular topics across social media and the Internet, so there’s tons of great info about how to tackle those annoying breakouts and get your skin glowing. But instead of searching for hours to learn all about acne, we teamed up with The INKEY List and rounded up the best info, top products, and unique acne hacks to share with you. Check it out!
What types of breakouts are there?
Getting a pimple is frustrating, but once you learn about what type of acne is most commonly popping up on your face, chest, or back, it’ll be easier to target and manage.
Blackheads: Blackheads are a blocked hair follicle or sebaceous gland that has been clogged by a combination of excess sebum (skin oil), dirt, debris, or dead skin.
Whiteheads: Whiteheads pop up when pores are closed and contain pus at the surface level of the skin. They typically are smaller and not inflamed or red.
Papules + Pustules: Sitting on the skin’s surface, Papules and Pustules seem inflamed around the pores and tend to be more painful. You can identify Papules as small red bumps, and Pustules as small red bumps filled with pus on the surface of the skin.
Nodules + Cysts: At the more severe end of the spectrum and deeper beneath the surface we encounter Nodules, which are large, solid lumps, and Cysts, which are painful pus-filled lumps. Both can be more aggressive, red, and painful than other types of acne.
What are some of the best ingredients for acne?
Even if you saw someone on TikTok smearing a ripe avocado on their face to freshen up their skin, there are way easier solutions to find the ingredients you need to fight your breakouts.
Salicylic Acid: Gently exfoliates the skin and unclogs the pores by dislodging dead skin cells.
Allantoin: Helps soothe irritation and stimulates the growth of healthy skin tissue.
Niacinamide: Controls excess oil and works to reduce blemishes and tackle redness.
Mandelic Acid: Reduces the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post-blemish marks.
Succinic Acid: Visibly reduces blemish size and absorbs excess oil.
I need a good skincare routine, but I don’t want to spend a fortune on it. What products can fit into my budget?
The INKEY List uses innovative ingredients to ensure that effective products are being created to help reduce breakouts, combat oily skin and fade post-breakout marks. It’s also one of the most affordable and accessible brands, with products being sold at Sephora and ranging from $6 to $14. So, if you’re looking to completely revamp your skincare routine, but don’t want to break the bank, be sure to add The INKEY List products to your shopping cart.
How can I create my own skincare routine, and which products should I use?
Whether you’re a veteran skincare guru or are totally new to the skincare scene, it probably feels a bit intimidating to find a new daily routine. The INKEY List, however, makes it easy to help target your acne and skin concerns, and build a totally personalized recipe, with access to expert coaches to help track your progress. Some products to check out include:
Salicylic Acid Cleanser, $10.99 at Sephora
This is a lightly-foaming cleanser that removes makeup and dirt, helping to reduce blackheads, acne, and blemishes while unclogging pores.
Succinic Acid Treatment, $8.99 at Sephora
The Succinic Acid Treatment is a non-drying, gentle, and targeted acne product that clears acne spots fast.
Mandelic Acid Treatment, $10.99 at Sephora
This is a fast-acting, product that reduces the look of discoloration left behind by blemishes.
Niacinamide Serum, $7.99 at Sephora
This is a serum that’s perfect for oily skin to help control excess oil while reducing blemishes, redness, and hyperpigmentation.
BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Blemish + Blackhead Serum), $11.99 at Sephora
This is a lightweight liquid exfoliator that helps unclog pores, target blackheads and reduce excess oil.
Congratulations, you’re now an acne expert! Head to Sephora right now to get The INKEY List products to take control of your blemishes!