One of the biggest myths we’re often sold is that acne is something only teenagers experience. However, in talking to the amazing people in our community, we know that preventing acne breakouts is something many people are hoping to achieve in their 20s, 30s, and beyond.

Today we’re going to break down some of the common causes of acne and our favourite skincare products for acne-prone skin so you can get your glow on!

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition characterized by follicles that become plugged by dead skin cells and/or sebum, your skin’s natural oil. This results in a variety of skin eruptions from blackheads to whiteheads to full blown pimples. Depending on the severity of the condition, some people may also experience cystic acne, which are large and painful lumps under the skin that are often filled with pus.

While there can be many causes of acne ranging from hormonal imbalances (get the scoop here!) to imbalances in your skin’s pH, the skin barrier or skin microbiome, an effective treatment will look at nourishing the skin both inside and out. It can also be caused or exacerbated by inflammation in the body or on the skin, causing excessively red, swollen, and painful skin in addition to any skin eruptions.

To support your skin from the inside out, make sure that you are drinking lots of water, avoiding inflammatory foods, limiting dairy as this can be an acne trigger for some, and supporting overall detoxification.

We love to sip on a cuppa Everyday Detox Tea to support liver health and keep our other detox pathways, such as our kidneys and digestive system, humming along. Not only will this count towards your daily hydration goals, but supporting regular detox keeps your skin healthy and happy since it is one of our largest organs of detoxification. If you’re not regularly eliminating waste through other avenues, it can increase your risk of developing acne. 

What skincare products are best for acne-prone skin?

While clearing acne always requires a multi-pronged approach, an important component is absolutely the products that you apply to your skin every day. These products can help to nourish, protect, and balance your skin to prevent or treat acne breakouts for your clearest, calmest complexion!

1. Fresh Face Cleanser

The foundation of any skincare routine for those with acne-prone skin has to be a gentle, yet effective cleanser. You want to avoid products that strip your skin's natural oils and trigger your body to overproduce those oils to compensate, which can lead to clogged pores.

That’s why we love Fresh Face Cleanser. It’s made with a blend of ingredients that are anti-inflammatory and beneficial for acne-prone skin. We suggest washing your face once per day in the evening to prevent overdrying your skin while still removing any makeup, dirt, and pollution accumulated throughout your day.

• Organic Golden Jojoba: Non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores), antioxidant rich, seals in moisture, removes excess oil and protects the skin’s precious barrier. Similar to sebum, it helps to control sebum production, preventing clogged pores. Read more here!
• Organic Comfrey Root: Anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing properties, improves skin tone, and is a rich source of vitamins A, B and C, softens skin texture.

2. Magical Mist

Another crucial element to preventing acne is maintaining a slightly acidic skin pH. We’ve already done a deep dive into the importance of a healthy pH balance here, but it is closely tied to acne prevention. Not only does our Magical Mist Toner support this healthy balance, it also contains ingredients that are naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory for full skin support. 

• Rose Geranium Distillate: Balances sebum production, has antibacterial properties, and soothes inflammation.
• Calendula Distillate: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, helps reduce redness and prevent infection.
• Witch Hazel Distillate: A natural astringent that reduces oiliness, with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Lemon Balm Distillate: Antibacterial and antiviral. Soothes and calms irritated skin.
• Vegetable Glycerin: Hydrates and maintains skin moisture, which can prevent overproduction of oil.

3. Hella Hydrating Serum

While many people might think it counterintuitive to apply an oil to acne-prone skin, keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized actually prevents oil overproduction and clogged pores.

Our Hella Hydrating Serum is also incredibly effective at treating and healing acne scars thanks to the skin-brightening benefits of organic cold-pressed rosehip oil. When used properly rosehip oil can help balance, heal, and calm acne-prone skin. We suggest using one pump of oil combined with a spritz of Magical Mist for those with more oily or acne-prone skin.

Rosehip oil is:

• Non-comedogenic: It doesn't clog pores, which is crucial for preventing acne.
• Rich in Linoleic Acid: Many people with acne have a deficiency in linoleic acid in their skin's natural oils, and rosehip oil helps balance this.
• Anti-inflammatory: Contains vitamins A and C, which help reduce inflammation and promote skin healing.
• Regenerative Properties: Supports skin repair and reduces acne scars.

But this serum isn’t our bestseller for nothing. It also contains another incredibly effective ingredient, hyaluronic acid. It helps to maintain a healthy moisture barrier and create an environment less conducive to acne for plump healthy skin that glows!.

Hyaluronic acid is key for:

• Hydration: It deeply hydrates the skin without clogging pores, helping to balance oil production. Proper hydration prevents the skin from overproducing oil, which can lead to fewer breakouts.
• Healing: Its moisturizing properties support skin repair and regeneration, which can help heal acne lesions faster.
• Calming: Hyaluronic acid has soothing properties that reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne.

4. Super Natural Mask

The Super Natural ingredients in this mask work synergistically to soothe, heal, and balance acne-prone skin. The key with this product is to allow the mask to stay on your skin for a couple of minutes before washing it off as this allows the clay to absorb excess oil. Exfoliating once or twice per week can help to remove dead skin cells and other debris that can clog pores and increase the risk of acne. Our Super Natural Mask is the true superstar of Hello Joyous products for those with acne-prone skin as every ingredient helps heal and protect the skin preventing acne breakouts.

• Comfrey Root: Contains allantoin, which helps soothe and heal the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting cell regeneration.
• Calendula Flowers: Has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, helping to reduce redness and prevent acne-causing bacteria.
• Marshmallow Root: Soothes irritation and inflammation, providing relief to irritated acne-prone skin.
• Oats: Acts as a gentle exfoliant and has anti-inflammatory properties, soothing the skin and reducing redness.
• White Clay: Absorbs excess oil and detoxifies the skin, helping to unclog pores and prevent breakouts.
• Nettle Leaf: Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, it helps reduce acne inflammation and redness.

One final note we wanted to highlight about our entire skincare and wellness tea products is that not a single one contains any hormone disrupting chemicals or skin irritants which can contribute to the development of acne.

You can feel confident that when you shop with us, each product is safe, natural, and effective made with the highest quality ingredients sourced from Mama Earth.