3 best ingredients to treat acne which are super effective
Getting rid of acne seems tough although you can get rid of your acne with the right ingredient in your skincare routine. There are 3 best ingredients to treat acne. Before diving into the ingredients just let you know that healing acne takes time. Sometimes you get rid of a product too soon, sometimes you use a product which is not suitable for your skin or sometimes you just need medications from a professional. So, be patient with the process. Here, we will discuss the easily available over the counter products as well as medications prescribed by a professional which are super effective for acne.
There are 3 ingredients that are super effective to treat acne:
Also check out my post: 7 skincare products you don’t need
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acid which is used to treat acne, to remove blackheads, to get rid of clogged pores in your skin. BHA is oil soluble, it can go deeper into the skin and get rid of all the gunk that is in your skin. Salicylic acid is easily available over the counter. 1%-2% of this acid is enough to include in your skincare routine. Salicylic acid is also best for oily skin because it helps to reduce the oil production in your skin. You can use salicylic acid serum and apply moisturizer over it. You can also use it in a cleanser form if your main concern is blackheads.
Benzoyl peroxide
This is also a BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acid which is one of the best ingredients to treat acne. Benzoyl peroxide is more potent than salicylic acid. It is more effective in acne treatment. It kills the acne causing bacteria that is trapped in your skin. This ingredient can also be used to treat body acne, ingrown hair and body odor. It can be used in a cleanser form. When you are cleansing with benzoyl peroxide cleanser leave it for 3-5 minutes and wash it away.
Retinoids
Retinoid is derived from vitamin A. Some of the ingredients under the retinoid include retinol, adapalene, retinoic acid. When retinol is applied to the skin it gets converted to retinal which is more potent and then retinal gets converted into retinoic acid which is the most potent of retinoids.
Retinol–>Retinal–>Retinoic acid
Retinoids also has anti-aging benefits, it reduces fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation. It boost collagen production, repair tissue.
Retinol is mild and more gentle. It is available over the counter.
Adapalene is a topical retinoid which is great for acne prone skin and sensitive skin. This is less irritating to the skin as compared to retinoic acid or tretinoin. Adapalene is now available over the counter.
Retinoic acid also known as tretinoin or retin-A ,which is prescription medication. It is very effective on the skin for acne, fine lines, wrinkles. Retinoic acid makes your sky dry and irritated if not used in the right way. So, consult with a dermatologist if you have acne and want to start tretinoin or retinoic acid.
You should use retinoids at night time only. Retinol makes your skin photo sensitive, so it is important to use sunscreen in daytime. Use it on a dry skin and follow it with a thick moisturizer.