Your Guide to Treating Acne-Prone Skin with K-beauty
How to prevent breakouts from happening year-round
If your skin concerns cover breakouts, blemishes and all-out acne, then chances are you’ve tried many routines to get your skin under control. And, while flare-ups aren’t ideal, they’re more manageable than ever thanks to many targeted treatments available. But while thorough exfoliation, formulas to dry out an excess of sebum and harsh actives like retinol and glycolic acid are often the normal tactics used, when it comes to the Korean approach to problematic skin, it uses a gentler tact. Think solutions to soothe, hydrate and balance your complexion in order to restore problem skin from the root.
What’s more, K-beauty banks on a roster of traditional yet super effective, hardworking botanicals like Centella Asiatica, Tea Tree, and Mugwort as well as anti-inflammatory ingredients like Propolis and Niacinamide to help prevent and treat acne. Here, the lowdown on why we get breakouts and the tips and tricks to preventing them, the K-beauty way…
• IS OILY SKIN ALWAYS ACNE-PRONE?
Here’s the deal: Oil, also known as sebum, is produced by your sebaceous glands. Oily skin is the result of these glands producing too much oil and there are a number of reasons why this happens including genetics, hormones, over-cleansing, taking certain medications or using the wrong skincare products for your skin type. With oily skin you are often more prone to breakouts. This is because when your oil production is on overdrive, the extra sebum made by your skin combines with dead skin cells to clog your pores. Bacteria can get trapped within these pores, causing inflammation and ultimately spots and acne.
What cleanser is best for breakout-prone skin?
When your skin is feeling greasy it’s tempting to want to scrub it as squeaky clean is possible, but this can actually have the opposite effect on oily and acneic skin. Using harsh cleansers and toners or too frequent cleansing strips skin of its moisture which triggers more sebum to be produced, leaving you with even oilier skin in the longterm, and, potentially even more breakouts. Instead, try a double cleanse.
Should I exfoliate often?
.Twice a week is key for healthy cell turnover. Any more and you risk destroying your skin’s barrier which can also lead to excess oil production. When it comes to what you should be using, the key here is to tread gently
Should I be using serums?
After cleansing and exfoliating you always need to replenish your skin’s moisture levels and this especially applies to problem skin. But you don’t need a heavy hydrator to do the job. Choose lighter, gel-like textures when it comes to serums.
Can I use a cream if I have spot-prone skin?
Absolutely not! Blemish-prone skin needs just as much moisture as any skin type. The key is to stick to one that’s lightweight and layer it overtop of a lightweight serum.
Are there any treatments I should be doing?
Definitely! Acneic skin is often irritated so you want to calm and soothe your complexion while helping to keep pores clear. Clay is a key ingredient to look out for.
What about SPF?
If you’re prone to oily skin it’s tempting to skip the sunscreen as these formulas can often feel greasy or slippery on skin. But you need to protect your skin from harmful UV-rays all year round, no matter your skin type. The trick is to use a formula that won’t clog or sit on the surface of oily or acne-prone skin.