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What Are Blemishes?

21.08.2024

Let’s Talk Blemishes

Experiencing blemish-prone skin? You’re not alone. Did you know that breakouts will affect 90% of the global population at some stage in their lives? Here at INKEY, it’s one of our most frequently asked questions and whether it's blemishes or breakouts, pre, during or post, we’re here to help you at every stage and get you on the right path to clearer-looking skin.

 

What is blemish-prone skin?

Blemish-prone skin is usually characterized by noticeable imperfections on the skin’s surface. These can include whiteheads, blackheads and pimples, and an oily or shiny appearance. Hyperpigmentation and dark spots can also be a sign of blemish-prone skin. Typically, these imperfections tend to be temporary and present as individual spots rather than widespread across the face. If you regularly experience these types of breakouts, it’s likely that you have blemish-prone skin.

What causes blemishes?

From excess oiliness to genetics and common behavioral triggers such as not properly removing your makeup, there are many causes that lead to blemishes.

Excess Sebum

Sebum is an oil naturally produced by the skin, which it needs to maintain healthy skin and to help keep the barrier functioning, however sometimes our sebum production can go into overdrive, which can make us more susceptible to clogged pores and blemishes.

Clogged pores

Clogged pores occur when oil and dead skin cells build up inside of pore linings and they expand to accommodate it. Oily and combination skin types are more prone to pore concerns, particularly congestion around the t-zone, because of the overproduction of sebum leading to excess oil and blocked pores.

Sun exposure

Too much time in the sun or not using the correct sun protection can cause many different types of blemishes to appear on the skin, the most common being hyperpigmentation and dark spot marks. When it’s hot, it’s also typical for you to sweat more which creates a perfect environment for blemish-causing bacteria to develop.

Lifestyle factors

From diet and stress to lack of sleep, how we take care of ourselves daily can affect how our skin behaves. Even down to not properly removing our makeup or using products which contain oil or other ingredients can also lead to blemishes. Try to use products which are labelled non-comedogenic, this means they have been formulated to avoid causing clogged pores. 

Skincare for blemish-prone skin

From properly cleansing the skin to helping to manage excess oil production, there are several ways to help bust the blemishes. Once you’ve found what works for you and your skin, it’s key to be consistent with your routine for the best results.

Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches

Our latest breakout-beating launch is clinically proven to target pesky blemishes in just 4 hours. These powerful patches not only take care of unwanted guests at rapid speed, but also create an instant breakout-blurring effect and thanks to a powerful blend of 4 results-driven active ingredients, provide essential skincare for blemish-prone skin too.

Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Also known as the ultimate skin-clearing cleanser, this is a must have for blemish-prone skincare routines. Gentle enough for daily use, this non-drying, exfoliating gel cleanser helps to unclog pores and remove dirt, impurities, and excess oil to visibly reduce blackheads and breakouts leaving you with a clearer-looking complexion.

Omega Water Cream

It’s often a misconception that blemish-prone skin and moisturizers don’t work but did you know that blemish-prone skin can actually be a sign of dehydration? Our Omega Water Cream has been specially formulated for oily and blemish-prone skin types to provide essential moisturisation and help keep the skin’s barrier functioning. Lightweight and oil-free, it offers an instant drench of hydration without feeling heavy on the skin or making it feel greasy.

Succinic Acid Treatment

This fast-acting spot treatment helps to visibly reduce active blemishes and the appearance of blemish redness. Formulated for rapid results, the combination of redness reducing Succinic Acid, pore unclogging Salicylic Acid and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid boosts the natural skin exfoliation process to help decongest pores and visibly reduce redness while remaining gentle on the skin.

FAQ

What are the different types of blemishes?

There are several different types of blemishes that we can experience but the most common include whiteheads, blackheads, hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

What skincare ingredients are effective for treating blemishes?

Our hero blemish-busting lineup includes Salicylic Acid Cleanser, Succinic Acid Treatment, Niacinamide Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Omega Water Cream and Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum. Make sure you have your Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches close by too, for those pesky last-minute blemishes.

How can I prevent blemishes from occurring?

One of the most important ways to bust blemishes is to make sure you have a skincare routine that is suited to your blemish-prone skin needs. It’s also important to stay consistent for the best results. Take note of some of the common lifestyle factors such as properly removing your makeup and always wear SPF – even on cloudy or rainy days.

What should I avoid if I have blemish-prone skin?

Certainly don’t squeeze or pick at spots and even touching your skin can encourage the transfer of bacteria potentially spreading the breakout. Even if they’ve come to that oh-so-tempting head, picking your pimples can cause longer term damage and skin trauma in the form of scarring and dark spots. There’s plenty of classic do-it-yourself quick fix recommendations too - and all should be avoided. From toothpaste, lemons and even window cleaner (!), these may feel like a convenient instant reaction but trust us, these can be detrimental for your skin in the long run drying out or damaging the lipid layers.

Looking for a skincare routine that's as unique to you as your skin? Try our NEW hyper-personalized skin analysis Breakout Analyzer Pro.

Photo of Written by one of our askINKEY skincare advisors

Written by one of our askINKEY skincare advisors

Our askINKEY team are available 24/7 on our live chat. A friendly bunch, all experts with deep product knowledge, ready to make skincare as simple as possible. Whether you are an ingredient expert or starting your journey, no question is too big or too small, no judgement or jargon, we’re here to help and be part of your journey.