Ultimate solutions for acne-prone skin
In this article:
- How sulfur works for blemishes
- Tips on treating breakouts
- Ways to upgrade your evening skincare routine
Switch to Sulfur
Sulphur (or 'sulfur' as it's sometimes spelt) — is what's known as a 'keratolytic'. It mops up excess serum and causes the top level of skin to shed, whilst also being antibacterial. A formula for your wishlist is The Ordinary Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate, targeted treatment made to minimise the appearance of blemishes and breakouts. Its unique texture starts as a powder when dispensed so it's easy to use when you're on the go and in a rush. However, when pressure it applied, it transforms into a blendable spot cream. Cool, right?
The Kate Somerville EradiKate Cleanser has a creamy, foaming consistency and is powered by 3% sulphur — together with honey, oat and rice bran extracts to calm, balance and protect compromised skin barriers. Cleanse twice - gently remove make up and grime with a warm (not scalding) flannel. Then purge pores of impurities with the Foreo LUNA for Combination Skina silicone (hygienic!) sonic cleansing device, which encourages circulation, oxygenation and detoxification for a brighter, clearer complexion.
Post-cleansing, target individual imperfections with the Kate Somerville EradiKate Blemish Treatment applied with a cotton bud directly to clean skin. The blend of sulphur (which at 10% is the highest level allowed in skin care), alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid and zinc oxide works to absorb excess oil and lighten the load of skin build up. Reapply throughout the day for seriously stubborn blemishes, although reduce if irritation occurs.
Your Evening Skincare Routine Needs You
Supplement your evening skincare ritual with a targeted treatment. Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment with 5% Glycolic Acid does everything and one of its primary skin-benefits is getting ahead of blemishes while brightening the look of dark marks. An overnight serum, which applies more like a toner — just sweep over skin with a cotton pad and resist the temptation to slather on night cream.
The glycolic acid lowers skin's pH (to about 3) which makes cells work harder to get back to 'normal' (pH 5.5). The results are swift and dramatic - you should see a difference from first application - but if you're new to glycolic, then build up your tolerance gradually. Starting once a week (use dampened cotton wool to dilute the potency), gradually work up to 2 - 3 times a week for maximum skin-clarifying benefit.
On the in-between nights, condition your skin with the ELEMIS Superfood Facial Oil, an antioxidant-rich blend of broccoli, rosehip, flaxseed and daikon radish extracts. With just a few drops onto your face and neck, expect this nightly staple to nourish, shield and improve skin's radiance over time.
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Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...
