The Blemish Edit: 8 Products To Try For A Clearer, Calmer Complexion
Francesca is the Beauty Editor at Adore Beauty. With a background in glossy mags and bylines in publications like Marie Claire, ELLE and BODY+SOUL, Francesca has turned her love of beauty into a career. Whether she's decoding buzzy ingredients or road testing lip glosses (so. many. glosses.), her approach to beauty is equal parts glamour and highly-considered.
Learning how to curate the perfect routine for your skin type is a universal rite of passage.
But when you're dealing with acne prone skin that seems to break out if you even look at a pore-clogging ingredient? Well that’s a whole other ball game..
The goal isn't just to 'strip' the skin, but to find that elusive sweet spot between high performance actives and barrier-loving nourishment. As a rule of thumb, your toolkit should be built on non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and anti-inflammatory formulas that respect your skin's delicate ecosystem.
From efficacious serums to powerful cosmeceuticals and effortless tech you’ll actually use - here are our top picks for glowing skin.
Medik8 Blemish Control Pads 60 pads.
Clear skin days are a mere swipe away.
Effective and alcohol-free, Medik8's blemish pads are infused with Salicylic Acid to decongest and exfoliate from within the pore. The BHA breaks down clogged oil and skin cells that can contribute to blemishes and breakouts.
And because holistic skin health is the always the goal - the pads are dosed with nourishers like allantoin and glycerin to protect skin’s natural moisture balance and ward off any dryness.
They're quick, no-fuss and very effective.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream.
Azaelic acid is all the rage; and with good reason. The multitasking ingredient helps to reduce redness, clear congestion, fade pigmentation and even out skin tone.
Powered by a gentle 10% azelaic acid complex (along with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid) this particular formula focuses on uneven texture and surface level skin concerns. With daily use, you should see visible improvements to the look of recurring blemishes and uneven tone within 7 days.
It's a lightweight gel-cream hybrid (hello, bounce) that melts into the skin and pairs beautifully.
Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral SKINSCREEN.
For sensitive, sensitised or acne prone skin; a non comedogenic SPF is key!
This pick is featherlight, fragrance-free and ultra soothing. It's a broad-spectrum sunscreen that harnesses Japanese Zinc (a technologically advanced mineral UVA & UVB filter that is gentle on skin) to protect from premature aging and harmful UV rays. The formula's also spiked with Squalane and Vitamin E to calm inflamed and impaired skin barriers.
The finish is dewy and hydrating without that suffocating, heavy feeling of traditional zinc sunscreens.
Qure Q-Rejuvalight Pro Facewear.
Red light therapy is a powerful tool in fading and minimising the appearance or blemishes.
It’s also reduces fine lines, dark spots and discoloration; giving your skin an overall glowier appearance. But it’s important to use red light therapy consistently to see results, so you need to find a tool that’s comfortable to wear and easy to use.
Enter: Qure Q-Rejuvalight Pro Facewear.
Hands-free and portable, the mask utilises 5 wavelengths to effectively target acne-causing bacteria and stimulate collagen production simultaneously.
We suggest pairing the device with the brands' hypochlorus acid spray - a gamechanger for neutralizing bacteria and calming inflammation.
Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser 12%.
We stock approximately 500 different cleansers, this is our bestselling one!
Double dutying on the cleanser-exfoliant front, the formula uses Glycolic Acid (an AHA) to fast track cellular turnover and buff away grime and dead skin cells that can lead to congestion. Glycolic Acid is also A+ for refining pores and smoothing texture. Added Panthenol (a soothing humectant) softens skin and supports barrier health.
Lathering like a dream, the creamy gel formula delivers a deep, satisfying clean sans any squeaky, tightness.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution Serum.
This water-based serum (very lightweight!) is made with an optimum concentration of salicylic acid to target textural irregularities while removing dead skin cells that can clog pores.
And because it promotes exfoliation, this solution helps visibly reduce congestion, giving way to brighter, clearer skin.
Aspect Sheer Hydration.
What: Aspect Sheer Hydration
Formulated with a naturally fermented compound that offers more hydration than hyaluronic acid, this non-greasy, and plush-feeling moisturiser is perfect for normal, combination and oily skin types.
It’s dosed with potent peptides and botanicals to enhance the skin’s natural resilience and provide a protective, weightless cocoon.
BEAUTY OF JOSEON Red Bean Water Gel.
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