Acne is a common and frustrating skin concern for a lot of people. It can leave your skin feeling oily, red, and painful, and often leads to scarring. One type of treatment that can help improve the appearance of acne is chemical exfoliation. Salicylic acid has traditionally been the go to exfoliant for oily, acne-prone skin but there’s an underrated acid that can work just as well and may be a better choice for your skin type. So how do you use mandelic acid for acne?   What Causes Acne? Acne is caused by multiple overlapping factors: Your hormones cause your oil glands to produce too much oil Your skin…

Azelaic acid and niacinamide are two ingredients that you may be familiar with if you experience acne, rosacea, or hyperpigmentation as they both help treat all three – but what if you want to use both ingredients in the same routine? Can you use azelaic acid and niacinamide together? Yes, you absolutely can! In fact, in some instances they may be more effective when paired together and here’s why…   Azelaic Acid Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that is found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, and has excellent benefits for your skin, including: Reducing inflammation Improving redness and rosacea Exfoliating pores to remove dirt, bacteria, and oil…

Niacinamide is one of those skincare ingredients that seems to do just about everything and suits every skin type. It’s a great addition to any skincare routine whether your concern is pigmentation, rosacea, or anti-aging. But is niacinamide good for acne?   Yes, it absolutely is and here’s why…   What Is Niacinamide?   Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 that acts as an antioxidant and has a wide-range of benefits for your skin, including:   Reducing the appearance of enlarged pores Controlling oil production Reducing hyperpigmentation (dark marks, age spots, melasma, etc.) Brightening skin Reducing inflammation and redness Improving skin barrier strength by encouraging the natural production…

If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you’ve probably heard that niacinamide and salicylic acid are two ingredients that can help you achieve a clearer complexion – but can you use them together? Yes, you absolutely can! In fact, niacinamide and salicylic acid actually work better when paired together and here’s why…   Niacinamide Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 that acts as an antioxidant and has a wide-range of benefits for your skin. It helps keep your skin firm by increasing the production of keratin (the main structural protein in your skin). It increases your skin’s natural production of lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids) that keep your…

Azelaic acid has some excellent benefits for your skin but will it make your skin worse before it gets better? Does azelaic acid cause purging? What Is Purging? You may have heard people say that certain skincare ingredients may “make your skin worse before it gets better” – usually when referring to acne-fighting ingredients. What they’re talking about is skin ‘purging’. Skin purging is a term used to describe breakouts that happen soon after you start using a new skincare product that increases your skin’s natural exfoliation rate. Purging only happens on the areas of your skin where you would usually experience breakouts. This is due to the fact that…