Skin concern
Acne & Breakouts
Clogged pores, inflamed bumps and post-breakout marks. Acne is one of the most common skin concerns and responds well to a consistent, gentle routine rather than aggressive scrubbing.
What causes it
Why this happens
Excess sebum production, a build-up of dead skin cells inside the pore, C. acnes bacteria and inflammation. Hormonal shifts, occlusive hair products along the hairline, friction from masks or phones, and high-stress periods all make breakouts more likely.
Habits & ingredients to avoid
- Heavy coconut oil
- Alcohol-denat heavy toners
- Physical nut-shell scrubs
- Fragrance-heavy products
Key helpful ingredients
What to look for on the label
Salicylic acid (BHA)
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for acne & breakouts, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Benzoyl peroxide
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for acne & breakouts, and appears in 1 of the products below.
Niacinamide
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for acne & breakouts, and appears in 6 of the products below.
Azelaic acid
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for acne & breakouts, and appears in 1 of the products below.
Zinc PCA
Why it works: it is one of the best-evidenced options for acne & breakouts, and appears in 2 of the products below.
Recommended
10 products for acne & breakouts
Verdant Lab
4.8BHA Pore Refining Liquid
Salicylic acid 2% is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Emerald Atelier
4.7Overnight Retinal 0.1% Treatment
Retinaldehyde 0.1% is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Verdant Lab
4.6Azelaic Acid 10% Clarifying Serum
Azelaic acid 10% is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Verdant Lab
4.6Oil-Free Gel Hydrator
Glycerin is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. Locks in the actives and rebuilds the barrier, which is what stops this concern coming back.
Verdant Lab
4.6Invisible Gel SPF 40
Chemical UV filters is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. Non-negotiable for this concern — daily UV and visible-light protection prevents everything else undoing itself.
Verdant Lab
4.6Clarifying Willow Bark Gel Cleanser
Salicylic acid 2% is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. Sets the tone for the whole routine — it removes what triggers this concern without stripping the barrier.
Golden Hour Skin
4.6Alpha Arbutin + Tranexamic Brightening Serum
Alpha arbutin 2% is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Verdant Lab
4.510% Niacinamide Pore Serum
Niacinamide 10% is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. This is where the active work happens: the highest useful concentration of the ingredients that address this concern.
Verdant Lab
4.3Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Spot Gel
Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.
Verdant Lab
4.2Sulphur & Clay Weekly Mask
Sulphur 3% is one of the most reliable choices for acne & breakouts. A targeted, higher-strength step used a few times a week to push visible change.