Everyone knows that the basic skincare regimen of cleansing, toning and moisturizing is essential for clean and healthy skin. However, it can also be insufficient to truly maintain a smooth and clear complexion, especially if you are dealing with blemishes.
This is where serums come in to help address your skin concerns more effectively, as they are lighter and more easily absorbed in comparison to moisturizers. While a moisturizer usually works as a protective layer on your skin’s surface, serums will deliver a higher concentration of active ingredients, formulated to penetrate more deeply into the skin.
Take a look at our curated list of serums that are suitable for those with acne concerns, and you might just find yourself a new ally against acne!
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Featuring a blend of mandelic acid, salicylic acid and pyruvic acid, this serum from Taiwanese clinical skincare brand Dr. Wu is meant to help with skin regeneration and cell renewal. As a result, the ingredients are suitable for blemish-prone skin as it deals with blackheads, acne and skin texture concerns. The formulation also includes centella asiatica extract and alpha-bisabolol, which helps the skin to heal and repair itself.
A rising K-beauty favourite, this serum combines centella asiatica extract with tea tree oil, as well as AHA, BHA and PHA to manage your skin troubles expertly. It is an oil and water hybrid serum that uses 100% natural ingredients to soothe troubled skin, while also strengthening the skin barrier and providing ample moisture.
Compared to retinoids and salicylic acid, this serum’s niacinamide and zinc formula is gentler and more suitable for those with sensitive or highly reactive skin types. It is an oil-free, water-based serum that helps to clear out acne by fighting acne-causing bacteria and regulating sebum production. Niacinamide also helps with improving the skin’s moisture retention and natural defence system.
Hitting the right balance between acne-fighting and moisturizing ingredients can be challenging, but this serum does a good job. Apart from the cica ingredients that help to soothe acne and inflamed skin, it also contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, collagen and ceramide to moisturize and brighten the skin. This gel-type serum will help keep your skin hydrated without causing or aggravating breakouts.
Formulated with salicylic acid, rose water and antioxidant-rich grape seed extract, this gel serum from Caudalie will help rid your skin of blackheads, pore congestion and excess sebum. The ingredients include soothing essentials oils, as well as niacinamide to help repair the skin’s surface and improve the appearance of pores.
Wake up to a brighter complexion with this multi-tasking night serum. Its blend of AHA and BHA includes salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid to provide gentle chemical exfoliation that sloughs off dead skin cells, while other botanical ingredients work to help even out discolouration, minimize pores and regulate sebum production. The antioxidant-rich formula will improve your skin’s appearance and protect it from environmental damage.
This thicker, gel-like serum is perfect for spot treating active breakouts, as its salicylic acid and thyme formula works well to clear out congested pores. It can be applied thinly to prevent blemishes, or layered on to dry out pimples. The lightweight formula is suitable for most skin types, but those with drier skin may need to pair it with more hydrating products.
Acne scars and lingering discolouration can take months to fully recover, but this serum will speed up the process for you. It uses a combination of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, sulfonic acid and kojic acid to target all phases of dark spots and pigmentation formation. This allows it to brighten and even out your skin tone as well as minimize recurrence if used consistently.