Pore-Cloggers Exposed! “Clean” and “Natural” Edition
When it comes to living with acne-prone skin, it takes more than tea tree oil and the occasional Whole 30 diet to manage it. There is no cure, but the best results come with working with an aesthetician that specializes in acne. Along with advocating for some sort of diet and lifestyle choices, we will always “prescribe” your skincare to you. This is the key to results! These products should contain REAL active ingredients and absolutely no pore-clogging ingredients whatsoever.
Here are five popular “natural” and “clean” lines that don’t stand a chance against clearing acne.
5. Eminence. This is a professional-grade skincare line with some beautiful products and facial protocols. If you see an Eminence facial at a spa on vacay we recommend indulging. However, don’t expect these products to clear your acne. And warning, they may even break you out more! While people often think “natural” products translate to gentler products, they are actually more likely to cause reactions in the skin. Synthetic ingredients are not bad, they are more controlled and better for skin conditions like acne and sensitive skin. Also, loooooong ingredient lists in the products make it tough to decipher which one may be breaking you out.
Biggest Acne Offender: Clear Skin Probiotic Mask has both corn oil and shea butter which may be “natural” ingredients, but they’re the opposite of what acne-prone pores need!
4. Kiehl’s. This line has been popular for boosting a clean label for a while now. They say things like paraben-, fragrance-, mineral-, and dye- free. However, they don’t skimp on the pore-cloggers. Their products contain comedogenic oils, waxes, and lack anything to really create serious changes in your skin. If someone gives you a goody bag of anything Kiehl’s this holiday you are best regifting it to grandma.
Biggest Acne Offender: Ultra Facial Cream with Squalene has myristyl myristate, avocado oil, myristic acid, and soybean oil. All of those rank a hefty 5/5 on the pore-clogging scale!
3. True Botanicals. For the high price tags, you would expect this line to be pure magic for the skin. However, we are not impressed. Acne and oils often don’t get along. And while you may think botanicals sound great, your skin doesn't take in nutrients as your body does. You cannot simply receive the benefits of the ingredient by putting it on your skin, you need the right formulation with the right chemicals (AKA the delivery system) to actually push the ingredient through the skin. So, while it sounds good to see only a couple of ingredients on an ingredient list, they just won’t get where they need to be. Also, True Botanicals says as long as it’s “natural” it won’t break you out, but things like algae and mango seed butter are just as pore-clogging as synthetic waxes!
Biggest Acne Offender: Moisture Lock Overnight Mask is supposed to help problematic skin, but using mango butter and algae on your acne-prone skin will lead to more and more breakouts over time.
2. Herbivore. This cute and trendy line targets a more holistic and simple approach to skincare. Is anything ever simple though? The key to clear and healthy skin is promoting skin turnover and that’s going to be tough if you are only using cleanser, oil, and moisturizer. Their cleansers are bar soaps that have made a comeback. Why? We aren’t sure! They contain pore-clogging fatty acids and are a haven for bacteria growth. Herbivore's Blue Lapis Acne Oil is supposed to be beneficial for balancing acne-prone skin and calming inflammation. While both balance and anti-inflammation would be great, for the $72 price tag you are much more likely to see major changes by bringing in a vitamin A serum (like Vivant’s Derm-A-Gel for $65) with both active and anti-inflammatory properties. Even though Herbivore's bright colors and chic packaging might look nice on your vanity, when it comes to acne -- leave indulgent products to your body and stick to pharmaceutical-grade ingredients for your face!
Biggest Acne Offender: Their Charcoal Bar Soap uses hype words like “charcoal” and “tea tree oil”. But it also contains highly comedogenic coconut oil. Besides, bar soaps for acne are ineffective and impossible to keep clean.
1. BeautyCounter. This “clean” skincare and makeup line is taking the world by storm and really causing a damper on clear skin! First, MLM (multi-level marketing companies) or pyramid scheme selling is dicey when it comes to skincare. Having someone who is not a skin professional recommending your products isn’t ideal. Every skin type is completely different and step-by-step regimens that are one-size-fits-all will leave big gaps in your skin needs. As far as their claim to be “clean,” there may be controversial ingredients left out of their products, but there are still plenty of chemicals in them -- trust us. Chemicals are literally in everything, so you have to ask yourself -- what are you really trying to stay away from? We’ve seen people be fooled into thinking “gentle” and “natural” products will improve acne and aggressive products will anger or trigger it. That is the misinformation that keeps people struggling and leads them down a path to stronger prescriptions when their products aren’t working.
Biggest Acne Offender: Cococream Cleanser -- don’t fall for advertising that your acne needs to be soothed and that coconut oil is a natural acne killer. It ranks among one of the most problematic acne-causing ingredients. Stick with a cleanser like Vivant’s Mandelic Acid 3-in1 Wash that feels amazing and will actually clean the skin!