Serums that contain AHA can be helpful for oily or acne-prone skin,” Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, dermatologist and author of “Beyond Soap” says. Sometimes skin is oily because it's actually lacking its own natural oil (maybe from frequent cleansing or exfoliating) and the body is overcompensating.
Vitamin C contains anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce the redness and swelling that comes with acne. The results are more pronounced when you use the vitamin topically. It, therefore, helps improve the appearance of acne wounds. It may help reduce hyperpigmentation.
If you're wondering when to apply a vitamin C serum, the answer is both morning and night, after cleansing and toning. One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection.
7 vitamin C serums to consider
Keep in mind that a higher percentage of L-ascorbic acid doesn't always mean a better product. Sometimes it can be too strong for your skin, causing it to react via purging, breakouts, or itchiness.
Salicylic acid works to treat acne by unclogging blocked pores. It does this by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells so that they can release from the pore more easily, and breaking down oils, such as sebum. Salicylic acid also decreases the skin's sebum production, leading to fewer breakouts.
Toners can restore skin's PH levels to a normal level, hydrate, and refresh the skin. Serums, on the other hand, provide a high concentration of active ingredients to the skin, hydrate and deal with skincare concerns like wrinkles and fine lines.
Rose water is, indeed, a natural toner. It comes from the Rosa damascena flower, commonly known as the Damask rose, and is created by distilling rose petals with steam. While it's become more popular in recent years, rose water has actually been used for centuries.
You can use face serum twice a day—before your moisturizer—but reserve products with retinol for nighttime. “Generally, most people should be using a treatment serum twice day,” says Hirsch.
But, whether you get it in a toner, exfoliant, serum, or moisturizer, it doesn't matter. Just find a product you like and that works for you. If it's a toner, use a toner. If it's a serum, use a serum and skip the toner.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you are afraid of needles), no they cannot. Using derma rollers or microneedles on active blemishes would be ineffective, painful, irritating and can actually spread the acne bacteria around, therefore increasing the breakout.
If you have blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid alone should work well to clear out your pores. If your acne tends to be inflammatory, such as papules and pustules, opt for benzoyl peroxide to stop outbreaks at the source. For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it's less likely to cause irritation.
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Vitamin E is just one of the antioxidants touted as a potential acne treatment. Nutritionally speaking, vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory, which means it can help boost your immune system and help with cell regeneration. It's thought that these properties may specifically help with inflammatory acne, such as: nodules.
Occasionally, though, serums can actually cause acne—so proceed with caution. "They can lead to breakouts—especially if you're using the wrong one for your skin type," says Green.
Is it okay to use salicylic acid every day? While it is okay to use salicylic acid every day, it could cause irritation. Many dermatologists, therefore, recommend using the acid in moderation, beginning by applying it three times a week and working up from there.
Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient in the Benzac AC range of treatment gels. When applied, Benzac AC treatment gels and 5% wash kills up to 94% of the acne causing bacteria²,³, plus it reduces inflammation and unblocks pores. So you can be confident knowing that you're doing something right to combat acne.
Salicylic acid clears pores, reduces swelling and redness, and exfoliates the skin when applied topically. It's considered to be one of the best treatments for acne scars.
Derma Roller therapy is clinically proven to be effective in reducing acne scars; in clinical studies 86% of patients with grade 1-3 scars had marked improvements after undergoing treatment. Most types of acne scar can be significantly improved with a course of derma roller treatments performed at home.
Cheeks. Share on Pinterest Friction or rubbing of the skin may cause acne on the cheeks. Breakouts on the cheeks can occur as a result of acne mechanica, which develops due to friction or rubbing of the skin.
Frequency of face serum application
Anti-aging serums are often best suited for nighttime application. This allows the ingredients to work with your body's circadian rhythm for skin repair and turnover. Hydrating serums for drier skin can be applied twice daily to help keep your skin dewy and moisturized.
If your skin's happy with serum alone, you can skip moisturizer. But only a lucky few with normal and super oily skin can get away with this, in my experience. So, don't be too disappointed if your skin needs both.