Here’s What Derms Wants You to Know About Acne Before You Buy Your Next Serum

There’s one major thing about my acne-prone skin that I didn’t understand until recently. Acne-prone skin is actually just sensitive skin. After hearing this from multiple skin experts, I finally started to understand my breakouts a lot better. First of all, I was using the wrong kind of “acne-fighters” for my skin type. Sometimes, those who have very sensitive skin don’t react well to high doses of acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way, but I’m glad I’m armed with this knowledge now. It has completely transformed my skin and skincare routine for the better. Now, I focus on gentler ingredients that support the skin barrier and help with acne like niacinamide. 

It’s also important to note that there are so many different factors that can affect your breakouts. You should definitely see a professional to help you nail down exactly what’s going on with your specific acne, but taking note of how your skin responds to certain ingredients is a good place to start. Dermatologists and a celebrity esthetician have more on the best serums to not only help you fight acne but also help you beat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as well. After all, serums are one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. Keep reading—lots of bookmark-worthy knowledge ahead.