What Helps Against Acne? – Effective Solutions and Tips

What Helps Against Acne?

Treating acne requires a consistent skincare routine and can be further supported by lifestyle and dietary changes. Here are some general tips and recommendations that may help improve your skin and reduce breakouts.

General Tips and Recommendations

• Consistent cleansing is the foundation of any effective acne care routine. Our Foam Intense gently yet thoroughly removes excess sebum, makeup, and impurities from the skin. Fruit acids like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid provide a mild peeling effect and help unclog pores. Vitamin C delivers additional antioxidant benefits, visibly refining the skin’s texture. The ideal companion: Tonic Intense. With a high concentration of salicylic acid, it reliably removes residues, oil, and dead skin cells – perfect for acne-prone skin. It also helps minimize the appearance of pores, smooth rough patches, and reduce initial inflammation. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and resveratrol protect the skin from oxidative stress, while aloe vera, panthenol, and licorice root extract soothe irritation and reduce redness.
• Avoid picking at blemishes: Refrain from squeezing pimples or blackheads, as this can lead to inflammation and scarring. Instead, opt for targeted treatments like antiseptic creams or calming serums.
• Moisturize properly: Use an oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated without clogging pores. Even oily skin needs moisture to maintain balance and support a healthy skin barrier.
• Sun protection: Apply sunscreen daily to protect your skin from UV damage, which can worsen acne scars and accelerate signs of aging. Our Anti-Pollution Day Cream with SPF 30+ offers comprehensive protection against environmental stressors such as UV rays, free radicals, and blue light, and is suitable for all skin types.
• Healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low in sugar can help improve overall skin appearance. Certain foods, such as dairy products and highly processed items, may aggravate acne – so paying attention to your diet is key.

The Importance of an Effective Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

A structured skincare routine can play a crucial role in improving the appearance of acne-prone skin. The Breakout Fighters Set was specifically developed for blemished skin and combines synergistic formulations designed to target excess oil, clogged pores, and breakouts in a focused and effective way.

The routine begins with Foam Intense, a gentle yet powerful cleansing foam that removes makeup residue, sebum, and dead skin cells without drying out the skin. Fruit acids such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid provide a mild exfoliating effect and can visibly refine the appearance of pores.

The next step is Tonic Intense, which supports deep pore cleansing. Its high concentration of salicylic acid helps dissolve oil buildup and cellular debris – two common causes of breakouts. At the same time, calming ingredients like aloe vera, panthenol, and licorice root extract help reduce redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

Once or twice a week, the Anti-Aging 15% Fruit Acid Peeling can be added to the routine. It promotes cell renewal, helps gently loosen thickened skin, and can visibly smooth uneven skin texture and refine the complexion – even in cases of persistent blemishes.

The Purifying Power Serum is formulated to address keratinization disorders and regulate inflammatory changes in the skin. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly and supports microbiome balance, helping to restore harmony to irritated skin.

As the final step in your evening routine, the Retinol Serum is recommended. It stimulates cell turnover and is often used on skin types prone to breakouts, hyperpigmentation, or acne scarring. At the same time, it can help smooth fine lines and create a more even, refined complexion.

When used together, the Breakout Fighters Set provides a well-rounded foundation for a skincare routine tailored to the needs of blemish-prone skin – gentle yet effective, and with the potential to visibly support the skin’s regeneration process.

Lifestyle and Nutrition

In addition to a careful skincare routine, lifestyle and nutrition also play an important role in combating acne.

Stress Reduction: Stress can negatively affect skin health and worsen acne. Techniques like meditation, yoga, or taking regular breaks in everyday life can help reduce stress, thus improving skin condition. Regular relaxation and stress-reducing activities are important as stress can increase the production of hormones like cortisol, which in turn can increase sebum production and promote acne outbreaks.

Adequate Sleep: Good sleep is important for skin regeneration. During sleep, repair processes are activated in the body that also affect the skin. Lack of sleep can lead to an imbalanced hormone balance, which in turn can worsen acne. Therefore, pay attention to sufficient sleep duration and good sleep quality to provide your body with the necessary rest. Try to establish a regular sleep routine and keep your bedroom as quiet and dark as possible.

Regular Exercise: Exercise promotes circulation and helps flush toxins out of the body. Regular exercise can contribute to healthier skin. Physical activities like running, swimming, or yoga can help detoxify the body and improve overall well-being. However, make sure to thoroughly clean your skin after exercise to remove sweat and dirt that could clog pores.

Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can improve skin condition and reduce acne outbreaks. Antioxidants like vitamin C and E, found in many fruits and vegetables, can help protect the skin from free radicals. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce acne breakouts. Avoid highly processed foods and those high in sugar or dairy products as they can worsen acne. Instead, opt for fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Also, drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin from the inside out and flush out toxins.

Avoiding Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can heavily burden the skin and lead to acne. Smoking reduces skin circulation and can lead to clogged pores and increased inflammation. Alcohol can dehydrate the skin and impair liver function, making detoxification of the body more difficult and contributing to acne.

By following these general tips and recommendations, you can establish a solid foundation for effective acne treatment.

Active Ingredients That Can Help with Acne

The right selection of active ingredients is crucial to effectively combat acne. Different ingredients have different mechanisms of action and can vary depending on skin type and severity of acne. Here are some of the most well-known and effective active ingredients that can help in the treatment of acne:

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) commonly used in acne treatments. It helps to clean the pores and remove dead skin cells, reducing the formation of blackheads and pimples. Salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate redness and swelling. Products containing salicylic acid are particularly suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is a versatile active ingredient that can be very effective in treating acne. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce redness and swelling. Niacinamide supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum production, and can visibly reduce pores. It is included in many skincare products and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Retinol

Retinol, a form of Vitamin A, is known for its ability to promote skin renewal and clean the pores. It helps improve skin texture and reduce the visibility of acne scars. With regular use, retinol can make the skin smoother and firmer, and is particularly effective in treating acne and fine lines.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid combines the benefits of azelaic acid and glycolic acid. This active ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces sebum production, and helps smooth and clarify the skin. Azelaic acid is particularly effective in reducing redness and improving the overall skin appearance in acne.

Acnacidol™

Acnacidol™ is a bioactive ingredient specially designed to regulate sebum production and balance the skin flora. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce acne breakouts and improve the skin's appearance. Acnacidol™ is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.

Neutrazen™

Neutrazen™ is a biomimetic peptide designed to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. It helps reduce redness and irritations caused by acne. Neutrazen™ strengthens the skin barrier and supports the healing of acne symptoms.

ECM™ Moduline Peptide

The ECM™ Moduline Peptide is an innovative active ingredient that promotes skin regeneration and stimulates collagen production. It helps improve skin structure and reduce acne scars. By promoting cell regeneration, it contributes to overall skin improvement.

Ichthyol®

Ichthyol®, also known as shale oil, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It is commonly used in the treatment of acne to reduce inflammation and promote the healing of skin impurities. Ichthyol® is particularly effective in treating inflammatory acne.

Ictasol

Ictasol is an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It helps to dissolve cornifications and regulate sebum production. With regular use, Ictasol can significantly reduce the appearance of acne and improve skin condition.

AHA Complex

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid are known for their exfoliating properties. They help remove dead skin cells, clean the pores, and improve skin texture. AHAs can make the skin smoother and reduce the appearance of acne scars. They are particularly useful for people with dry or sensitive skin as they provide moisture and strengthen the skin barrier.

Panthenol

Panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, has soothing and healing properties. It helps hydrate the skin, relieve irritations, and promote the healing of skin lesions. Panthenol supports skin regeneration and can help improve the appearance of acne scars.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a natural active ingredient known for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps soothe the skin, reduce redness and swelling, and promote the healing of skin impurities. Aloe Vera can also help strengthen the skin barrier and provide the skin with essential nutrients.

Retinol for Acne

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a powerful skincare ingredient that can be highly effective in treating acne. It works by promoting cell turnover, unclogging pores, and stimulating collagen production. This section explores how retinol works, its benefits, how to use it correctly, and potential side effects and precautions.

How Retinol works

Retinol accelerates cell renewal, helping to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores. By promoting faster skin regeneration, retinol prevents dead cells from accumulating, which can lead to breakouts such as blackheads and pimples. Additionally, retinol stimulates collagen production, a key protein that keeps the skin firm and elastic. This helps improve overall skin texture and reduces the appearance of acne scars.

Application and Benefits

Using retinol requires patience and a gradual introduction to allow the skin to adjust. Here are some key application guidelines and the benefits of retinol in acne treatment.

Introduction to the routine:

• Start with Retinol 0.3 and apply one pump every other evening for the first two weeks.
• If your skin tolerates retinol well without redness or peeling, increase usage to daily application for the next three to six weeks and then gradually increase the amount to three pumps per evening.

Due to new EU regulations, concentrations above 0.3% are no longer available in cosmetic products. However, this does not reduce effectiveness. By increasing the application to three pumps, the same results can be achieved.

Benefits of Retinol:

• Reduction of acne breakouts: By accelerating cell turnover and cleaning pores, retinol can help reduce acne breakouts and clarify the skin.
• Improvement of skin texture: Retinol promotes collagen production, improving skin texture and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
• Reduction of acne scars: Regular use of retinol can reduce the appearance of acne scars by making the skin smoother and more even.
• Refinement of pores: Retinol can help reduce pore size and refine overall skin texture.

Possible Side Effects and Precautions

Although retinol offers many benefits, it can also cause side effects, especially during the initial adjustment phase.

Side effects

• Skin irritation, including redness, dryness, and peeling, is common in the first few weeks.
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight can raise the risk of sunburn and UV damage.

Precautions

• Introduce retinol gradually to minimize irritation.
• Use a hydrating moisturizer to counteract dryness and peeling.
• Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 during the day to protect against UV exposure.
• Avoid retinol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Consult a dermatologist if you have concerns.

By carefully incorporating retinol into your skincare routine, you can take full advantage of its powerful benefits while keeping your skin healthy and balanced.

What to Do About Acne Scars?

Acne scars can be as distressing as acne itself. They result from the healing processes after severe acne breakouts and can significantly affect the skin's appearance. Fortunately, there are different treatment options that can help improve the appearance of acne scars.

Different Types of Acne Scars

There are different types of acne scars, each requiring different treatment approaches:

• Atrophic Scars: These occur when not enough collagen is produced during the healing process. They can appear as deep, narrow indentations (ice pick scars), wide, shallow depressions (boxcar scars), or wave-like depressions (rolling scars).
• Hypertrophic Scars: These scars are raised, thick scars, resulting from an overproduction of collagen during healing. They often appear as keloids that can grow beyond the original acne area.

Treatment Options for Acne Scars

Choosing the right treatment depends on the type and severity of the acne scars. Here are some of the most effective methods for treating acne scars:

Peels

Peels can help remove the top layer of skin, promote skin renewal, and reduce scarring. Our Anti-Aging 15% Fruit Acid Peeling is particularly effective in treating acne scars.

This peel frees your skin of dead corneal cells by lowering the pH, resulting in a rosier and fresher complexion. At the same time, collagen and elastin synthesis is boosted, refining pores, lightening age spots, and reducing wrinkles can be achieved with regular use. To counteract impurities, salicylic acid dissolves sebum in the pores and also has anti-inflammatory properties. Panthenol, niacinamide, and urea calm your skin and protect it from irritations and harmful environmental influences. In this way, the 15% peeling prepares your skin ideally for the subsequent absorption of active ingredients from serums, which are an essential part of any high-quality skincare routine.

Benefits:

• Ideal for impure or aging skin for a fresher complexion.
• Dissolves sebum in pores and reduces wrinkles.
• Lightens age spots.
• Suitable for normal, dry, oily, and impure skin.
• Do not use on very sensitive skin, active eczema, or other skin conditions.
• pH 3.0.

Application:

• Apply the peel to dry skin after cleansing and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
• Use the peel once or twice a week, depending on skin tolerance.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure in which tiny needles are inserted into the skin to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture. This procedure can effectively reduce the depth of atrophic scars and make the skin surface smoother and more even.

Benefits:

• Promotes natural collagen production and skin renewal.
• Can visibly smooth skin texture and reduce the depth of scars.

Application:

• Microneedling can be done in a dermatologist's office or at home with special devices.
• Regular sessions are necessary to achieve optimal results.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is an effective method for treating acne scars, using targeted light beams to improve skin texture. There are different types of lasers, including ablative and non-ablative lasers, which can be selected based on the type of scars and skin type.

Benefits:

• Can treat both atrophic and hypertrophic scars.
• Promotes collagen production and smoothes the skin surface.

Application:

• Laser treatments should be performed by an experienced dermatologist.
• Multiple sessions may be required to achieve optimal results.

By combining these treatments correctly, you can significantly improve the appearance of your acne scars. It is important to consult a dermatologist to develop the best treatment strategy for your skin type and specific skin needs.