When it comes to acne, treatment is all about treating the cause, rather than just the symptoms.
In other words, you want to find products that will heal your skin, not just cover up the problem.
This is actually exactly what clean beauty is all about — focusing on skincare products that are as close to their whole form as possible.
What exactly is clean beauty for acne-prone skin?
Clean beauty for acne-prone skin is about using the least amount of ingredients possible to cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face.
This will help reduce irritation and breakouts. I like to use oil-free moisturizers that are still hydrating just because that seems to work best with acne-prone skin.
You also want to choose a cleanser that is geared to acne-prone skin, which tends to be formulated with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
Simply put, clean beauty for acne-prone skin is skincare that’s free of the most common acne-causing irritants.
These are ingredients that clog pores, cause the skin to overproduce sebum, and trigger the production of excess oils.
Is clean beauty for acne-prone skin different from regular clean beauty?
Yes, because it’s a “cleanse” of cosmetics that use ingredients derived from nature, rather than synthetic compounds.
The goal is to reduce or eliminate harsh chemicals such as parabens, silicones, sulfates, artificial colors and fragrances, phthalates, and EDTA that can irritate the skin.
Is clean beauty safe for acne-prone skin?
You bet it is. In fact, your skin will thank you for choosing clean beauty products over other kinds of skincare.
Clean beauty products are those that don’t contain any harsh chemicals, parabens, or dyes.
Trying to find a great face cleanser for acne-prone skin can be tough. Many face washes and cleansers contain ingredients that clog pores and make acne worse.
This is especially true if you’re suffering from mild or moderate acne.
The good thing about clean beauty products is that they’re formulated to treat acne-prone skin and usually contain ingredients like tea tree oil and witch hazel to keep your skin clear and vibrant.
How does clean beauty help my acne?
So, you want to clear your acne and go for clean beauty?
Here are some ways how clean beauty helps your acne:
1. Clean skincare products are less likely to clog pores which can lead to breakouts.
2. Since clean skincare is free of chemicals, it won’t irritate acne-prone skin.
3. Clean skincare encourages healthy cell turnover and skin renewal so you’ll get fewer blemishes over time and your scars will fade more quickly.
4. Clean skincare helps prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming by unclogging pores and detoxifying them.
5. Clean skincare products are less likely to break out sensitive skin types because they are free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and other irritants that cause flare-ups in sensitive-skinned people.
6. Clean skincare products have a lighter feel on your skin so you’ll experience less irritation from friction when applying makeup or shaving over acne-prone spots on your face and body.
7. Many clean skincare products are packed with antioxidants that can help fight free radicals which cause premature aging of the skin and even contribute to cancer cell formation in your body.
8. Clean skincare products are gentle enough for daily use.
9. Clean beauty gives you long-lasting results that other products cannot give you because of their harmful chemicals.
Clean beauty tips for acne-prone skin
In addition to avoiding toxins, clean beauty also emphasizes using natural ingredients that are known for their skincare benefits such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, and botanicals.
Here are 8 tips for acne-prone skin that are both eco-friendly and effective
1. Wash your face twice a day
Morning and night are best for the skin, but if you’re in a hurry, morning is fine.
Treat the skin gently with a natural cleanser or water alone.
Avoid scrubbing the face as it can irritate your skin even further and cause redness.
Pat dry your face with a towel to avoid over-drying.
2. Use gentle cleansers
Your face is sensitive, so choose a gentle cleanser specific to acne-prone skin that won’t over-dry or cause irritation.
Avoid any product that contains alcohol as this will exacerbate oily skin.
3. Use a mask regularly
To keep your skin clean, detoxify, treat acne and boost collagen – use a sheet mask every week as part of your regular routine.
4. Be gentle with your skin
Be sure to pat dry after washing your face with a towel rather than rubbing it dry, because this will help to reduce irritation and redness.
Also, avoid the temptation to squeeze pimples as this can make them worse without removing the bacteria inside that causes acne.
5. Use water-based products
Water-based products don’t clog pores as oil-based products do.
They can also make your skin softer and smoother, which will help reduce dryness, flaking, and breakouts.
Don’t forget to remove any oils with a water-soluble cleanser at the end of the day.
6. Avoid heavy make-up
Avoiding make-up may be a bit extreme for some of us.
However, if you have acne-prone skin, it is best to use a light foundation or even none at all.
A full face of make-up will clog your pores and cause breakouts.
7. Use gentle exfoliating
When you have acne-prone skin, you know that it’s important to keep oil production under control, but you also need to avoid over-drying it.
Find a cleanser with gentle exfoliating particles that dissolve in water.
8. Use an all-natural toner
You can use a toner that’s formulated specifically for acne-prone skin.
These products are typically alcohol-free and contain ingredients like glycolic acid and witch hazel.
How to find clean beauty products for acne-prone skin
Acne can strike at any time, and if you have oily skin or a tendency to break out, finding products that actually work can be tricky.
The market is flooded with products that claim to fight acne and clear your skin, but many of them don’t work for everyone.
If you’ve tried everything and nothing’s really worked for you, it’s time to find products that are made for your specific needs.
Here are seven steps on how to find clean beauty products for acne-prone skin:
Step 1: Know what works
If you’re looking to switch over to clean beauty products, be sure to do some research first.
Once you know what works for your skin type, you’ll be able to tell right away whether or not a product will work for you.
Step 2: Know your triggers
If you have acne-prone skin, you’ve probably tried and failed to find a beauty routine that works for you.
An acne-friendly routine isn’t necessarily a natural one, nor is it limited to products that don’t contain harsh chemicals.
Instead, it’s all about knowing your triggers so you can avoid them and finding the right products to help prevent breakouts.
Step 3: Find the right ingredients
Look for products with non-comedogenic ingredients (no pore-clogging properties) like coconut oil gel, jojoba oil, argan oil, and more natural ingredients like these.
They won’t block your pores and they’re very gentle on the skin.
Step 4: Try samples before buying full-size products
You might not react well to certain products even if they’re “clean.” It’s better to try samples first before you shell out the cash on a full-size product.
Step 5: Try the “one new product at a time” method
You can find affordable small sizes of most skincare products online or in stores (Sephora sells travel-size versions of many top brands).
If you don’t have clear-cut acne triggers, try adding just one new product at a time so you know exactly what caused an outbreak.
Step 6: Think natural
Natural ingredients are most likely going to be safer than chemicals on your skin, so look for products with as many natural ingredients as possible, such as fruit enzymes, tea tree oil, and lavender essential oils.
Step 7: Read the reviews before buying
People who have used a product before can give you insight into how well the product works for them and if it caused any negative side effects or irritation.
This is especially important if you are trying a new product from a company you aren’t familiar with.
Best clean beauty products for acne-prone skin
With acne-prone skin comes a lot of frustration.
There are so many products that promise to help you clear up your complexion and keep it beautiful, but the fact is, most of them don’t work.
So what’s the solution?
Treat the root cause of your acne rather than treating the symptoms with harsh chemicals.
Switching to clean beauty products can help your skin heal itself and get out of that vicious cycle.
I am a big fan of clean beauty products and I want to share my top 5 favorite clean beauty products for acne-prone skin with you.
1. Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser
This is the first step in my skincare routine in the morning. I like to use this cleanser because it helps balance out my natural oil production and it leaves my face feeling fresh.
This cleanser also has a little bit of exfoliating beads, so sometimes if I am feeling really oily then I will exfoliate first with this product before moving on to the next step.
2. COSRX One Step Original Clear Pads
These pads are amazing! They do a great job of thoroughly cleansing the skin while minimizing irritation and dryness.
The salicylic acid will get deep into your pores to remove all the yuck that causes acne.
These pads contain 70% tea tree extract so they smell amazing!
Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial that kills bacteria and calms inflammation while removing excess sebum that is clogging your pores.
3. Pure & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
This gentle cleanser from this drugstore staple is free of synthetic fragrances and colors and is non-comedogenic — which means it won’t clog pores — making it a good option for acne-prone skin.
It’s also formulated with salicylic acid, which helps fight the bacteria that causes zits.
4. Tarte Maracuja Oil
Maracuja Oil is packed with antioxidants and nourishing fatty acids that can help soothe and soften the skin.
It won’t clog your pores or make your skin greasy, so it’s perfect for acne-prone skin.
Maracuja Oil is also fantastic if you don’t want to spend a fortune on moisturizer.
I use it as both a night cream and day cream because it’s so light and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving behind any residue.
I like that it comes in an airless pump bottle, which helps keep it from going bad.
5. Derma E Acne Dote Kit
This kit contains two products: a nighttime blemish control serum with 1 percent tea tree oil and an acne spot treatment gel with 2 percent salicylic acid.
Both are appropriate for those with oily or combination skin and contain plant-based ingredients to address blemishes without irritating acne-prone skin.
Final Thoughts
This guide is designed with the purpose of getting you started on your journey to discover clean beauty for acne.
We hope you’ve found this information helpful and that you are inspired to try some new products based on our recommendations.
However, please keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different, so what might work for one person may not work for another.
Don’t be discouraged by your first (or second, or third) try!
