Acne, along with a questionable sense of style, are some of the laughable and unpleasant reminders of our teenage years past. However, thanks to factors like air pollution, lack of sleep and unbalanced diet, adult acne has been on the rise and is quickly becoming something that an increasing number of us have to deal with. Aside from breakouts caused by the menstrual cycle (in the days leading up to our period, the estrogen level in our body dips while the testosterone level stays put, causing an imbalance of hormones, which lead to overactive sebum production and inevitably, an increase in the incidence of breakouts), a diet that is high in sugar and even milk has been linked to acne. Throw in our exposure to air pollution and all that nasty dirt and grime that gets trapped in our pores and you get a winning formula for breakouts, well into our adult years.
Which explains why acne treatments are consistently among the most sought-after in Singapore. And more often than not, when it comes to dealing with acne, all you have to do is follow these three, simple steps: cleanse, disinfect and calm. If you pay attention to products that are marketed to combat acne, they usually do at least one of the three. For starters, cleansing your skin thoroughly is a must-do for all skin types, and even more so for those who are prone to acne because dirt, sebum and dead skin cells that are left to accumulate will only create the most conducive environment for acne-causing bacteria to grow and proliferate. Next, it is also important to kill these acne-causing bacteria and one of the most common ingredients found in topical skincare products that does this is benzoyl peroxide. Lastly, as acne is considered inflammation, it is also crucial to hydrate and soothe skin with calming ingredients like aloe vera.
Thankfully, beauty companies recognise the evolving needs of consumers and have been constantly upgrading product offerings to satisfy the growing demands of savvy men and women. And with busy urbanites leading increasing time-starved lives, the demand for at-home devices that deliver salon-like results have been steadily on the rise. While we are no strangers to devices like sonic cleansing brushes and facial massage rollers, there is a whole world of DIY devices that are designed to target every skin concern from wrinkles, lifting and acne. From deep exfoliation to LED light therapy that eliminates acne-causing bacteria, here are the ones to check out if you want to treat angry zits in the comfort of your own home:
