Do’s and Don’ts with Acne: K-Beauty Solutions for Pimples

In the realm of skincare, emergencies often manifest as unexpected pimples. Prepared to confront breakouts head-on, we're here to provide prompt and effective strategies for achieving clear skin. This K-beauty skincare guide will walk you through the steps to swiftly address acne, facilitating its healing with the right skincare practices. Get ready to dive into the world of skincare solutions!

Do’s

• Gentle, Quick Double Cleansing

Extended cleansing may excessively strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and potential overproduction of oil as the skin tries to compensate. Aim to complete each cleansing step within one minute and gently massage the skin during cleansing. If using a foaming cleanser, ensure it is well-lathered before applying it to the skin, and cleanse gently with ample foam.

Try: ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil (200ml) - £18.00

The ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, with its non-comedogenic formula containing 10,000ppm Heartleaf, effortlessly removes makeup and tackles blackheads, leaving your skin refreshed. It has been proven to visibly improve blackheads and whiteheads by 18.88% and 20.09%!

Try: ETUDE HOUSE Soon Jung 5.5 Foam Cleanser (150ml) - £14.00

Gently cleanse your skin with this hypoallergenic foam cleanser, featuring a low pH of 5.5. ETUDE HOUSE Soon Jung 5.5 Foam Cleanser removes impurities with a creamy foam, leaving your skin moisturised and smooth without any tightness. 

• Hydration with Less Oily Formula

Restore moisture with a hydrating, watery toner, then enhance hydration by applying a lightweight gel-type moisturiser that deeply moisturises the skin without clogging pores. When managing acne, steer clear of skincare formulas with heavy oils or comedogenic ingredients, as they can worsen breakouts and impede the healing process.

Try: NACIFIC Real Floral Calendula Toner (180ml) - £16.00

Enriched with 91% Calendula Flower Extract, NACIFIC Real Floral Calendula Toner balances the skin, reduces acne-causing bacteria, and features 7 natural herbs from Jeju Island. It also effectively cleanses excess oil and impurities, revealing a refreshed skin surface when swiped across your face with a cotton pad.

Try: SKIN1004 Centella Soothing Cream (75ml) - £19.95

SKIN1004 Centella Soothing Cream is a lightweight, non-greasy gel moisturiser enriched with 72% Centella Asiatica for a soothing, cooling effect. With a 4-Type Ceramide Complex, Glycerin, and Fatty Acids, it replenishes, strengthens the skin's barrier, and leaves your skin moisturised, refreshed, and dewy after use.

• Opt for Calming Items

Shift your morning and evening skincare routine to include products with calming ingredients to soothe inflammation. It's crucial to strengthen the skin's barrier function to prevent recurrent acne and blemishes.

Major Calming ingredients:

• Aloe Vera: Known for its cooling and hydrating properties, aloe vera helps reduce redness and inflammation.

• Calendula: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, calendula helps soothe and promote skin healing.

• Licorice Root Extract: Helps reduce redness and irritation, making it beneficial for sensitive and inflamed skin.

• Centella Asiatica: Known for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, Cica is often used to calm sensitive skin.

• Heartleaf Extract: Contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and helps relieve redness, irritation, and other signs of inflammation.

Try: MIXSOON Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence (100ml) - £24.00

Crafted solely from 100% Centella Asiatica grown in their Jeju Island farms, MIXSOON Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence reduces redness, inflammation, and deeply hydrates, leaving your skin nourished and protected. Suitable for all skin types, it also supports environmental causes through contributions with each purchase.

Try: ANUA Heartleaf 80% Soothing Ampoule (30ml) - £22.00

Soothe and hydrate your skin with an ANUA Heartleaf 80% Soothing Ampoule, effortlessly absorbed for redness reduction, acne relief, and protection from external irritations. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Betaine, and Panthenol, it provides three layers of hydration, reducing oil production and sebum for a radiant, acne-prone, and sensitive skin-friendly glow.

Don’ts

• Picking or Squeezing

Avoid picking or squeezing acne lesions, as it can worsen inflammation and increase scarring risk. Instead, opt for a pimple patch to provide intense relief to the irritated area, supporting the healing process.

Try: SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Clear Spot Patch (18 pcs) - £4.50

SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Clear Spot Patch is clear, waterproof, and breathable spot patch that offers highly effective, intensive treatment for acne and spots. The hydrocolloid sheet absorbs pus, dirt, and oil while safeguarding the sensitive area against bacteria and external pollutants.

• Skipping Sunscreen

Always apply sunscreen, even if you have acne-prone skin. Skipping this step can result in increased sun damage and potential worsening of acne scars. Choose a sunscreen with soothing and hydrating ingredients to protect and calm the skin while exposed to the sun.

Try: AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (50ml) - £16.50

AXIS-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen, with the new "Hydro-Fit Formula," excludes essential oil fragrances and introduces Hyaluronic Acid for skin hydration. The improved light and moisturising formula ensures a gentle, airy finish with excellent absorption, promoting a healthy glow and preventing stickiness even upon reapplication.

• Using Harsh Scrubs

Avoid abrasive scrubs, as they can irritate the skin and exacerbate acne. Instead, opt for products with chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, which can penetrate the skin more evenly and address concerns beyond surface-level exfoliation.

Try: COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner (150ml) - £19.50

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is crafted to enhance skin texture, offering a radiant, smooth complexion. Featuring Betaine Salicylate (BHA), Willow Bark, and Apple Fruit Water, it dissolves dead skin cells, clears pores, and minimises blackheads and blemishes for an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, alleviating acne.