Acne / Breakouts
Acne / Breakouts — skincare guide
Acne-prone skin needs gentle cleansing, ingredients that keep pores clear and calm the look of redness, and light, non-greasy hydration. Cosmetic care helps with occasional spots, blackheads and the marks they leave.
Signs and needs
Clogged pores, blackheads and whiteheads, red spots that come and go, often on the forehead, chin and jawline, and dark marks that stay after a spot heals. Acne-prone skin needs clear pores, a calm barrier and patience.
Key ingredients
BHA clears oil and dead cells from inside pores. Azelaic acid and niacinamide help reduce the look of redness and post-blemish marks. Tea tree and centella calm irritated-looking areas. You will find them in Medicube Zero Pore pads and in SKIN1004 Poremizing, Anua Azelaic and Celimax Pore + Dark Spot products. The shop has a separate page for each of these ingredients.
A simple routine
In the morning, wash with a gentle, low-pH foam or gel cleanser. Use a toner or toner pads with BHA, azelaic acid or niacinamide, every other day at first. Apply a light niacinamide or centella serum, then an oil-free gel-cream. Finish with a light, non-comedogenic sunscreen SPF 50: sun makes post-blemish marks darker. In the evening, double cleanse if you wore sunscreen or makeup, then repeat the same steps.
What to avoid
Do not squeeze or pick spots, scrub hard or dry skin out with alcohol. Use only one exfoliating active at a time. If breakouts are painful, widespread or leave scars, see a doctor.
Frequently asked
What should I do about breakouts, and which Korean products should I choose?
Start simple: a gentle cleanser, a toner or pads with BHA or azelaic acid, a niacinamide serum, a light gel-cream and sunscreen.
Do pimple patches help?
Hydrocolloid patches cover a surface spot, absorb fluid and stop you from touching it, so it often looks flatter by morning. They do little for deep, painful bumps.
Can I use BHA and other acids during pregnancy?
Ask your doctor before using BHA or retinol. Gentle ingredients such as niacinamide and centella are often chosen instead, but it is best to agree your routine with your doctor.
How long until I see results?
Give a new routine four to eight weeks, and add new products one at a time. If breakouts are painful, widespread or leave scars, see a doctor.
