Acne - What it is and What Ingredients can Help

Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition consisting of whiteheads, blackheads, inflammatory lesions and spots. It includes increased sebum, irregular skin shedding, inflammation and an increase in propinobacterium. Successful treatment will aim to reduce oil production, speed up skin cell turnover, reduce inflammation and fight the bacterial infection. Reducing inflammation is particularly important in reducing the occurrence of scarring.

Initial treatment plans include topical application of products such as benzoyl peroxide, retinoids or antibiotics. Next there will be systemic treatments such as oral antibiotics, hormonal treatments (such as the contraceptive pill) or isotretinon.

If you suffer from acne it's always a good idea to go and see your GP and/or a dermatologist but if you are looking for products to help then these are some ingredients to look for. I know it's tempting to go from a strong cleanser and having clean skin is incredibly important, however, over stripping the skin is going to cause increased sebum production and more problems.

🎈 Salicylic Acid
This softens keratin, removes whiteheads and blackheads, is mildly anti-inflammatory and works as an exfoliant, encourages and regulates skin shedding and therefore prevents the clogging of pores and hair follicles. It also decreases the secretion of sebum.
Garden of Wisdom Salicylic Acid 
Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Treatment
Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid Exfoliant

🎈 Benzoyl Peroxide 
Reduces sebum, inhibits the growth of acne bacteria and gets rid of blackheads and spots. It takes around 4 weeks to start working and because it can cause skin irritation so it's best to build up your usage of it.
Acnecide 5% 

🎈 Sulphur 
This is used to treat various skin conditions as it's anti-inflammatory and it's antibacterial properties properties stops the growth of some bacteria. It also absorbs excess sebum. You don't want to overdo this as it can increase sebum production and can change the skin barrier.causes mild shedding of the top layer of skin. Helps clear away dead skin. It's a natural occurring mineral found in hot springs, clay and volcanic ash. Can soothe rosacea by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria. Its an essential part of collagen production.
Kate Somerville EradiKate Cleanser
Dr Dennis Gross Clarifying Collodial Sulphur Mask
Indie Lee Clearing Mask

🎈 AHAs 
Glycolic acid is the most frequently used as it induces desquamation and exfoliation of keratin. They also have antimicrobial properties and uses often see significant improvement by 45 days.
Superdrug Glycolic Toner
Garden of Wisdom Glycolic Toner 

🎈 Retinoids 
Dermatologists have agreed that these are essential in the treatment of acne. They regulate skin shedding, help reduce the amount of blackheads and whiteheads and are anti-inflammatory.
Garden of Wisdom 5% Retinoid 
Skinceuticals 0.3 Retinoid 

🎈 Niacinamide 
Helps keep your skin hydrated and firm. Soothes acne and rosacea as it's a great anti-inflammatory. Encourages the production of ceramides which for a protective barrier. Works best at a concentration of 5%. Helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss. Helps slow the transfer of melanin so helps with pigmentation.
Garden of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum

Recently for the Facebook group I did a chart of my favourite products for oily skin which might be helpful for you.

Christmas Gift Ideas - Beauty

Eyes
⚡ Viseart Libertine Palette - This looks beautiful, fun, but wearable and not overwhelming. £43.50

Hair
⚡ Silke London Silk Hair Wrap - I do not know why I want this so much. But I really do, and I suspect I may try to get away with wearing this without actually being in bed. We know that silk pillowcases can help your skin and hair but for those of us who wake up looking like pre-Always Bon Jovi this is the business to keep your hair in place. £50

Lips
⚡ Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Charms - I love the new limited collection of Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips lipsticks (although I still hate the name) and these minis are really cute and at a great price point. £25

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser

An impulse purchase from a brand I'd wanted to try for a while. It was a toss up between this and the Rosehip Cleanser but frankly, I don't seem to have much luck with Rosehip on my face so I went with the Brightening Cleanser. And I'm kind of into orange at the moment.

I don't like to overload my skin. In the morning I usually cleanse, acid tone (sometimes) and moisturise. I sometimes use a Vitamin C serum if I have one. If I do too much my skin gets cross and then I have to wear more make-up when I actually want my skin to be good enough to wear less. Are you keeping up? I've been after a good, fairly basic, easy to use cleanser for the morning for a while - one that would play nicely with my other products. This does just that.

Morning Cleansers

The move to our new bathroom made me realise that I probably have a bit too much skincare. I tried to rationalise it but really I like to use products depending on what I feel my skin needs at the time. I love cleansers and sort of feel like I could never have too many. Here's a look at my current favourite cleansers to use in the morning and a little bit on why I like them. My skin type is combination normal/dry/dehydrated. It's in fairly good nick at the moment as I've been testing lots of lovely oils and serums. Still not drinking enough water though.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
Really lovely as a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Has never irritated my skin even when it's been feeling sensitive and just nice to have something effective that doesn't make me a tomato. I haven't tried the other cleansers from Tata Harper but I want to based on this. Read my original review here.