When it comes to battling pesky blemishes and achieving clear skin, the right spot treatment can make all the difference.
But, with so many products and ingredients out there that all promise to get rid of spots in an instant, what ingredients should you really be using? Keep on reading to find out.
- Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common ingredients that you’ll find in spot treatments. This ingredient is celebrated for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
It effectively tackles acne by reducing the presence of acne-causing bacteria and helping to unclog your pores.
It’s the dual effect that makes this ingredient so popular, it has the antimicrobial benefits to target and eliminate acne bacteria, as well as the anti-inflammatory benefits that help to reduce redness and swelling in spots that have already formed.
- Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
The thought of using acids on your skin may seem a bit scary to some people, but it could be exactly what your skin needs to keep breakouts at bay.
Alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, are renowned for their exfoliating and skin-renewing properties. While not as commonly associated with spot treatments as other ingredients, AHAs play a crucial role in promoting overall skin health, addressing hyperpigmentation, and minimizing the appearance of acne scars.
So, if you’re trying to create a skincare routine for acne, a product that contains AHA will work wonders for evening out the skin tone and improve acne-prone skin. When it’s used in combination with some of the products in this article, you’ll be well on your way to your clearest skin yet.
- Salicylic Acid
Next, we have salicylic acid, which is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). BHAs are known for being a great light exfoliant for the skin, penetrating deep into the pores, and effectively dissolving excess oil and dead skin cells.
By dissolving the debris that clogs up your pores, salicylic acid helps prevent new blemishes from popping up and tackling any existing ones.
- Retinol
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is often recommended to people who want to incorporate more anti-aging but it can also be really helpful for people suffering from acne.
This ingredient helps to promote cell turnover, increase collagen production, and enhance overall skin texture. In spot treatments, retinol addresses not only current blemishes but also works to prevent future breakouts.