Zap. Squeeze. Pinch. We've spent so much time being harsh to our skin, but the acne-positive movement has taught us it doesn't have to be that way. Yes, experiencing acne — from the occasional blemish to chronic severe breakouts — is not fun, but crystal-clear skin is an impossible standard we were never meant to meet. But how can we feel in control on the days we're inevitably bombarded with hopelessness over a spot? We don't have all the answers — yet — but we do know one thing that helps: a routine.
We're all on our own acne journeys — no two paths look identical. So, when it comes to experimenting with new ingredients, we tend to gravitate towards different products that work for us. In the spirit of maintaining routines that make acne bearable, we tried some of the most talked about products on the market right now from The INKEY List. Dealing with a breakout can get expensive, but the formulas we swear by clock in under £11; plus, they feature ingredients that are known for targeting some of our biggest acne concerns, including an oily T-zone or the scarring that often comes after a breakout heals. Ahead, our honest opinions about the acne-friendly products we're loving right now from The INKEY List.
The INKEY List Succinic Acid Treatment
"As someone with oily, acne-prone skin, I think I've tried just about every spot treatment on the market these days — but never one like The INKEY List Succinic Acid Treatment (£8). I had never even heard of succinic acid before, but discovered that it's known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. When combined with salicylic acid in this treatment, it really did help clear up a big spot on my chin. Best of all, it didn't dry out my skin the way some other acne treatments tend to." — Annalise Mantz, Senior Editor, Branded Content
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
"Unlike many of the salicylic acid cleansers on the market, The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser (£11) doesn't include a physical exfoliant — which I actually really appreciated. I don't always want to scrub my skin into submission to control breakouts, even though I have oily skin. This cleanser left my skin feeling clean and oil-free, but felt gentle enough to use daily." — AM
The INKEY List Mandelic Acid Treatment
"I'm prone to breakouts, and as a result, always have areas of redness or discoloration peppering my face. Up until trying The INKEY List Mandelic Acid Treatment (£9), I didn't know there was an effective treatment that could actually help with these post-acne marks. Within two or three days of using it every night (after my toner and before my serum and moisturiser), I was excited to see noticeable results. My redness has gone down and my complexion is clearer and brighter. I also love how smooth the formula is and the fact that it doesn't cause my sensitive skin any irritation." — Kathleen Owens, Style Editor, Branded Content
The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum
"I've never been a fan of niacinamide, but knowing what I know about the ingredient — it's brightening, anti-inflammatory, and can help with signs of ageing — I've been committed to making my skin like it. To be clear, it's not that my skin has rejected vitamin B3 in the past, it's that the products housing it haven't meshed well with the rest of my regimen (I've found a lot of niacinamide serums to be sticky — is this just me?). The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum (£8) goes on like water; a little bit goes a long way and it dries quickly, so I can move on to the next step in my routine without fear of pilling. So far, it's helped to not only reduce the redness around the occasional spot, but also brighten the lingering scars my blemishes leave behind. Long story short, it's become my go-to during serious breakouts." — Samantha Sasso, Beauty Editor, Branded Content
