The Most Effective Skincare Products For Vanishing Acne And Blackheads
With a plethora of skincare products on the market that claim to treat blemishes and clogged pores, it can easily get frustrating when trying to find ones that will hopefully work for your skin. To help you sort through all the confusion, here is a list of some of the most effective skincare products for vanishing acne and blackheads.
1. BHA Face Wash
Various skincare products that contain salicylic acid or even benzoyl peroxide are definitely going to help target stubborn spots and open comedones (blackheads). A great way to start off would be to incorporate it into your routine with a cleanser and use it once a day on your problem areas, avoiding the contours of the eyes and mouth. Build up to twice a day, max, if your skin isn’t too sensitive.
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) refers specifically to products that contain salicylic acid. This exfoliating acid is oil-loving and when applied to the skin, gets deep down into the pores and grabs hold of the gunk that can potentially cause acne or blackheads. Benzoyl Peroxide mostly kills bacteria that causes pimples. Once the BHA cleanser is rinsed off, trace amounts of salicylic acid will stick around and gently exfoliate the skin. Make sure to hydrate very well afterwards and chose a face wash that is fragrance-free like Zapzyt Acne Wash or Neutrogena Clear Pore Facial Cleanser and Acne Treatment.
2. Niacinamide
Another great option would be to incorporate skincare products that contain niacinamide into your daily routine. One of the two-forms of vitamin B3, this ingredient is non irritating, suitable for all skin types and is proven to help with a multitude of skin issues including acne, oily skin, large pores and blackheads. It is also amazing in maintaining a healthy skin barrier, won’t dry out or irritate and can improve the look of acne scars and impart a brightness to the complexion.
You can try incorporating it into your routine with a number of products including daytime or nighttime moisturizers, serums or spot treatments. Two great options to start out with would be The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (zinc has antibacterial properties that benefit when topically applied) or Freederm Gel for mild to moderate blemishes.
3. Leave-On Treatments
Some of the most effective skincare products for unsightly pores and bumps, as mentioned above, contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Another way to incorporate these ingredients into your daily routine would be with leave-on treatments. This step often comes after cleansing and can be applied before or after a moisturizer, depending on the product.
A leave-on BHA also acts as an exfoliant so no need for those awful physical scrubs to help clear out your pores. An amazing BHA treatment for stubborn blackheads would be the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and for stubborn acne try the Equate 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Gel.
4. Moisturizer and Sun Protection
Two vey important steps most people overlook are diligent sun protection and proper moisturizing. Both are key in keeping the quality of your skin intact and not aggravating any large pores, acne flare ups and oil production on the face. First, one must know that even the most oily of skin types needs proper moisturizing and finding the right one should not be a challenge. Try looking for light lotions that contain soothing ingredients like green tea (often shown as camellia sinensis leaf extract), ceramides, niacinamide and are fragrance free.
The same goes for sunscreen and how there are many different brands and formulations that shouldn’t clog pores or aggravate spots. It is essential to wear an SPF of 30 or higher and to always leave it for the end of your routine. It should be the last product you apply and wear daily. For a great moisturizer, try  the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing lotion PM and for a great sunscreen try the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer with SPF 30.
5. Retinoid
The final mention on this list of skincare products would be to use a retinoid to help treat your acne and clogged pores. Often know for being used to combat wrinkles and fine lines, retinoids can also help clear out and refine the look of pores, lighten any existing acne scars and brighten your overall complexion.
This prescription treatment is a powerful exfoliant that speeds up skin cell turnover and leaves you looking radiant and fresh. It can be quite drying however so consult a dermatologist for a skincare routine tailored to your own specific needs while on this medication. Also, wear sun protection daily and avoid over-the-counter retinol products that do not offer the same results as its counterpart.
