Acne-prone Skin Archives - The Happy Mint

6-Step Skincare Routine For Acne-Prone Skin

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Oil cleanser

Gel cleanser
Toner
Acne treatment

Moisturizer
Sunscreen
Conclusion

I had been struggling with acne-prone skin for years before I discovered Korean skincare products. You see, I didn’t want to use the typical products you buy from your local drugstore because they are filled with chemicals and all sorts of other ingredients that can irritate your skin.

Many effective Korean skincare products can help treat both mild and severe acne. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on different skin-care products, and these specific products may help give you the best results if you combine them into one single routine as a part of your typical daily facial care regimen.

There is not a single person who wishes to have acne. If you find yourself suffering from acne, you will have tried every remedy that you have heard from friends as well as what you read on various websites. Today, I’m going to share with you the list of Korean skincare products for acne-prone skin that I have accumulated to help keep acne at bay and for good.

A basic skincare routine looks like this:

Oil cleanser (PM)
Gel cleanser

Toner
Treatments
Moisturizer

Sunscreen (AM)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through the link.

1. Heimish – All Clean Balm

This balm is from a Korean brand named Heimish (hey-mish), which focuses on bringing you products with natural plant-based ingredients.

Use this product as the first step in your skincare routine to remove makeup, sunscreen, and dirt.

The brand’s website states that the product removes waterproof products, and I have read a few reviews supporting that claim.

Benefits:

Removes waterproof products

Super gentle for sensitive eyes
Vegan
Comes with a scooper

Natural non-irritating fragrance

2. COSRX – Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Use this cleanser as the second step in your night skincare routine to wash off any excess makeup or oil residue from the first cleanse.

A gentle cleanser with low pH (mildly acidic) cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural oils and drying it out. Perfect for acne-prone skin, breakouts, and pH balancing.

You can read more about this cleanser in my previous article: Top 10 Popular Korean Skincare Products 2022

Benefits:

Gentle cleanser
pH is similar to that of skin

Refines the skin’s texture
Cleans blackheads
Gentle on the sensitive areas of the skin

3. Isntree – Green Tea Fresh Toner

This step is all about protection and balance. This toner is infused with 80% green tea extract that will help nourish, brighten, and revitalize the skin.

Toners are usually applied to the skin to minimize the visibility of pores, and restore hydration to your skin.

Benefits:

Protects the skin

Balances out the skin’s pH
Minimizes the appearance of pores
Tightens the skin temporarily

Controls oil production
Has Centella extract which is a great ingredient for acne
Moisturizes the skin

4. Glow Recipe – Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum

This step is where you need to apply the treatments and serums to address certain skin concerns. This powerful lightweight serum gently smooths rough textures and clears out pores and breakouts.

Benefits:

Visibly refines pores
Hydrates the skin

Gently smooths rough textures
Soothes and decongests skin
Helps prevent blemishes

Minimizes breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads

5. Isntree – Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream

After cleansing and treating your skin, it is crucial that you moisturize it and provide hydration, and this product will do just that! It will thoroughly hydrate the layers of the skin while still being lightweight and long-lasting.

Benefits:

Lightweight

Long-lasting hydration
Strengthens the moisture barrier
Brightens skin

Fades hyperpigmentation

6. Isntree – Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++

As the last step in your AM routine only, apply sunscreen. This step is non-negotiable if you are going out, even on cloudy days. Sunscreen must be applied every day.

Benefits:

Broad-spectrum

Blocks harmful UV rays
Long-lasting
Some say it feels hydrating

No white-cast
Does not pill
Does not sting the eyes

Acne is a skin condition that can be caused by many factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, and stress. It is not always easy to find the right acne care routine and products for your skin type. However, with a little research and patience, you can find the perfect products for your needs.

Lactic Acid Benefits For Skin and Acne-Prone Skin

Skin / By Tamara

Acne is a skin condition that many people struggle with. It can happen to anyone and it is not something that you can just get rid of overnight. It is caused by excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells clogging the pores on the skin.

It is important to remember that there is no one way to treat acne because everyone’s body reacts differently to different products and routines. What works for one person might not work for another person with a different type of acne or skin type.

Girl with bandaid — Photo by ShotPot from Pexels.com

There are many products that you can use to help combat acne such as cleansers, moisturizers and treatments.

There are also many different types of treatments available to help reduce the appearance of acne including laser therapy, chemical peels and more.

What is lactic acid?

Lactic acid is a natural chemical found in the human body and in sour milk.

Lactic acid is one of the most popular ingredients in skin care products. It’s an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions like acne and wrinkles.

Lactic acid works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, which helps to prevent clogged pores and reduce dryness on the surface of the skin. It can also be used to help treat hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Lactic Acid helps with many different problems that we face with our skin like acne, hyperpigmentation or even wrinkles.

Benefits of lactic acid for acne-prone skin

Lactic acid has been shown to have great effects on the skin because it helps remove dead skin cells and stimulate new cell growth.

Helps control excess sebum production. By exfoliating the outermost layer of the skin and keeping the pores clean and clear.

Fights acne. Dead skin cells often clog pores and cause breakouts. Lactic acid exfoliates the skin and has the ability to break apart dead skin cells, opening any clogged pores.
Fades acne scars. Due to its exfoliating nature, lactic acid helps lighten dark spots and fade acne scars by removing the dead skin cells off the surface.
Hydrates the skin. Lactic acid is one of the most hydrating AHA. It helps keep the skin moisturized and hydrated. This, in turn, speeds up the cell turnover process to produce new healthy skin.

Works as a mild exfoliator. Lactic acid is safe for sensitive acne-prone skin due to its mild exfoliating nature. Let’s talk science here for a little bit, since it has a large molecular weight, it makes it difficult for it to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, making it suitable for all skin types.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels.com

When and how should I apply lactic acid in my skincare routine?

Products containing lactic acid come in different concentrations.

A higher concentration does not always mean better for your skin.

When using a product containing acids for the first time, you must test a small amount on a small part of your skin, to check if it irritates your skin.

After seeing if the product is suitable for your skin and does not irritate it, you can start introducing it slowly (once or twice a week) into your skincare routine with low concentrations, increasing it to higher concentrations and building up to daily use if needed.

Skincare product lineup — Photo by Polina Kovaleva from Pexels.com

The layering of skincare products in a routine is the most important thing. Applying a product in the wrong order will not do your skin any good.

As a golden rule, apply products from thinnest to thickest, and water-based products before oil-based products.

Lactic acid is an exfoliating acid that can cause sun sensitivity, so it is recommended to apply it at night, and since it is technically a serum, it must be added to your skincare routine after toning your skin.

What to mix (and not to mix) with lactic acid

Since this acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, it is best not to mix it with other acids or retinol, because you will end up with irritated skin instead of mild exfoliation.

With glycolic acid (yes, but costly and not significantly beneficial)

Both of these acids will have the same benefit on the skin using different concentrations and intensities. They can be used if they were in the same product, however, applying them both using two separate products will not benefit your skin significantly and will only cost you more money.

With vitamin C (nope)

These two ingredients should never be mixed together, since vitamin C is also acid, using them in one skincare routine will cause an imbalance in the skin’s pH levels.

With hyaluronic acid (YESSS PLEASE)

Definitely! Hyaluronic acid is a miracle hydrating ingredient that is perfect for every skin type. Using these two ingredients together will prep the way for your skin to the perfect glow.

Lactic acid will clear out dead skin cells, making way for hyaluronic acid to hydrate the lower layers of the skin.