The most effective anti-blemish ingredients

If you’ve been experiencing spots and blemishes for a long time, chances are you have a fair understanding of what causes them. But before we delve into how you can reduce the appearance of blemishes, let’s recap on why we get spots. After all, as with any skin concern, addressing the underlying cause is the best way to get a complexion that looks and feels its best.

We looked at this briefly in our complete guide to blemish and breakout-prone skin — breakouts essentially boil down to blocked pores and an overproduction of sebum (oil). But what causes the body to produce too much sebum? That’s a little more complicated. A number of factors can contribute to excessive sebum — here are a few of the most common culprits:

Hormonal fluctuations: Many teenagers experience blemishes triggered by an increase in testosterone. In adults, women are particularly susceptible to spots caused by hormonal fluctuations, particularly around their period or in the early stages of pregnancy.

Stress and lack of sleep: A good night’s rest allows you to relax and gives your skin the chance to regenerate. Stress and sleep deprivation can trigger a hormonal imbalance, therefore causing blemishes.

Poor diet: Processed, sugary foods, and a diet lacking in varied vitamins can also contribute to blemishes.

Bacteria: It’s vital to note that your skin requires bacteria to be healthy. ‘Good’ bacteria help maintain a balanced micro-flora. However, when pores are blocked with oil, usually-harmless bacteria can get into the plugged follicle, causing papules and pustules.

Whatever the cause of your blemishes, read on to discover some nourishing and soothing ingredients suitable for skin prone to spots.

Of course, everybody’s complexion is different, and it can take time to work out which blemish remover ingredients and products are likely to suit your skin type. With that said, there are several key actives that can have a balancing effect to help manage excessive oil buildup or even out the skin tone.

Hyaluronic acid

You may have seen us discuss Hyaluronic acid’s credentials as a hydration hero but it's also a game-changer for blemish-prone skin. Its weightless feel suits all, even oily complexions that are prone to spots. 

Hyaluronic acid (HA) helps maintain moisture equilibrium, curbing excess oil caused by dehydration. Acting like a moisture magnet, it keeps skin hydrated without clogging pores. It also helps fortify the skin’s barrier to improve the look of your skin’s texture and aid blemish healing. This can reduce the risk of scarring.

Chicory

Renowned for its ability to fade blemishes and minimise pores, chicory is a natural wonder. Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory prowess, it tackles the aftermath of a breakout by aiding the gradual fading of blemishes, revealing a more even complexion.

The magic lies in chicory's astringent properties, which gently tighten pores, reducing their appearance and creating a smoother canvas. This botanical gem harmoniously refines skin texture, unclogging pores, and diminishing their visibility.

It features in our Pro-Collagen Renewal Serum, along with our skin-friendly, natural Retinol Alternative Extracts of stevia and alfalfa and hydrating Padina Pavonica.

Rose

It’s no secret that we adore rose in our skincare products — including those suitable for blemishes. As well as exuding a summery floral fragrance, rose is calming and soothing. Its astringent properties make it perfect for oily and blemish-prone skin.

Once a spot or pimple has faded, do you find it leaves scarring behind? Often, scarring can worsen if you pop or pick at your spots but any inflamed blemishes can lead to what’s known as ‘post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation’, or ‘PIH’. This is because the skin releases an overproduction of melanin to help protect it. Sometimes, the increased pigmentation remains long after the blemish has healed. PIH can be more common in darker skin tones as more melanin is present.

Although this hyperpigmentation is completely normal, an uneven complexion can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are some effective ingredients that can reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemish scars.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C brings a whole host of skincare benefits. As well as promoting collagen production and protecting against UV rays, it can also do wonders for creating a more even-looking skin tone. It blocks tyrosinase, an enzyme that can lead to dark spots and blemish scarring.

Our Dynamic Resurfacing Super-C Serum includes Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, a potent stable Vitamin C derivative. 96% of people in our Independent user trials* found that this serum left their skin's surface texture looking more even.

*Combined results of two independent, 4 weeks trials – JRC2009, UK, 2021, on 52 volunteers & STU6102, USA, 2021, on 56 volunteers.

Vitamin E

Renowned for its skin rejuvenation prowess, Vitamin E also plays a pivotal role in fading blemish scars. Nourishing and soothing, its potent antioxidants aid in skin repair, promoting the gradual fading of scars and dark spots, unveiling a smoother complexion.

By encouraging collagen production, Vitamin E also helps plump and renew skin, reducing the visibility of uneven textures caused by scarring.

Lactic acid

As an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), lactic acid gently exfoliates, lifting away dead cells and promoting cellular turnover. By unveiling fresh, rejuvenated skin, this resurfacing effect helps diminish the appearance of blemish scars.

At the same time, lactic acid's humectant properties hydrate and plump, smoothing out the textural irregularities scarring can cause.

You’ll find lactic acid in our Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads. These skin-smoothing pads are also formulated with Probiotic Ferment Complex and can help reduce the look of pores and uneven skin texture.

Grape seed oil

Oil extracted from the seeds of grapes has excellent nourishing and moisturising properties. It’s also rich in linoleic acid which helps balance your complexion’s oil production, preventing pore congestion and breakouts.

Bursting with antioxidants, grape seed oil can support post-blemish repairs, fading scars and promoting a more even tone.

Grape seed oil is a central ingredient in our Superfood Blackcurrant Jelly Exfoliator. This nourishing jelly gently sweeps away dulling dead skin cells to reveal a smooth, radiant complexion.

At ELEMIS, we’re passionate about feel-good skincare products that get results. We’ve developed ranges to suit a wide range of skin types and concerns — and blemish-prone skin is no different.

We’ve curated a blemish treatment range that helps lift away impurities and reduce the appearance of spots, pores, blackheads, and scars to reveal a refreshed, brighter complexion. Whether you experience the odd spot that leaves a lingering scar or ongoing breakouts, our skincare products are designed to balance, clarify, and soothe. You can also shop by benefit for products formulated to clear blemishes, bumps, and spots.

Here are a few of the best ELEMIS products for spots that you can incorporate into your daily or weekly skincare routine.

Dynamic Resurfacing Peel & Reset

The ultimate way to breathe new life into your complexion, our Dynamic Resurfacing Peel & Reset is a two-step programme that can help minimise the appearance of blemishes, uneven skin tone, and scarring. Use twice weekly for best results.

It features balancing Porcelain Flower Microbiota extract, along with lactic acid. The addition of another AHA, mandelic acid, aids natural cell turnover, helping to enhance the complexion.

In an independent clinical trial*, this product was found to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and promote skin resurfacing after one application. And in an independent user trial 87% agreed The product helped improve the appearance of skin discolouration following a blemish

*Independent clinical trial 2020. Results based on 38 people over 4 weeks.

*Independent user trial 2020. Results based on 38 people over 4 weeks.

Micellar Cleansing Water

For a daily cleanser that purifies, refreshes, and clarifies, look no further than our Micellar Cleansing Water. It gently clears away makeup and impurities for skin that looks and feels fresh.

Chamomile and rose bring anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe and calm, making it an ideal skincare staple for those prone to blemishes.

Superfood Cica Calm Cleansing Foam

Another excellent cleanser for blemish-prone skin is our Superfood Cica Calm Cleansing Foam. Soothing and restorative, this cleanser includes fermented green tea seed oil, which is packed with Vitamin E. Other actives include calming vegan kefir and fermented agave to soothe and hydrate.

Clarifying Serum

Perhaps one of our most effective skincare products for blemishes, our Clarifying Serum is lightweight and soothing. 

Combining prebiotics and hyaluronic acid, it has a balancing effect, helping to control excess oil. Meanwhile, boldo leaf improves skin clarity and willowherb extract soothes. Together, these ingredients create an effective serum that helps reduce the appearance of blemishes, visible pores and blackheads.

Incorporate into your daily skincare routine or apply more frequently during periods of elevated breakouts.

Herbal Lavender Repair Mask

Perfect for absorbing excess oil, our Herbal Lavender Repair Mask is made with kaolin, a mineral-rich, deep-cleansing clay. Paired with aromatic lavender essential oil and antioxidant rosemary, it’s an effective way to lift away impurities and refine the complexion.

During a breakout, it might seem tempting to skip the moisturiser in a bid to ‘dry out’ the spots. However, managing excessive oil is about seeking balance so it’s important to restore moisture loss to avoid swinging to the other side of the scale, ending up with skin that feels dry and tight.

Why not try our award-winning Pro-Collagen Rose Marine Rose Cream for lightweight, soothing hydration?

The takeaway here is knowing that oily and blemish-prone skin is not a bad thing — it's just a case of balancing and managing it. We’ve formulated a collection of skincare products to support blemish-prone skin and create a clearer, brighter complexion that feels great.

Explore our anti-blemish skincare range and browse our skin-clearing selection.