Types of Acne Spot Treatment

• Cream/Gel: Spot care creams and gels are the most commonly found type of spot treatment. They come in a small tube, with a cream or gel type formula that is designed to target troubled areas of the face and oily skin.
  
  This type of acne spot treatment is packed with high concentrations of active ingredients (like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid, and alpha hydroxy acid) that can quickly shrink the size of pimples, and calm redness and inflammation while preventing pigmentation and acne scars. Spot care cream can sometimes have the properties of pigmentation cream as well, with whitening ingredients like Vitamin C to banish blemishes, and prevent and treat dark spots to even out skin tone.

• Oil: The most common type of spot oil that is used to treat pimples and blemishes is tea tree oil, thanks to its ability to quickly soothe sensitive skin, and alleviate inflammation and redness while providing the skin with antibacterial properties. In doing so, tea tree oil will help prevent the formation of scars and dark spots.
  
  Other types of spot care oil that are ideal for acne-prone, troubled skin of all skin types include cypress, lemon, rosemary and carrot seed oil. While acne can be predominantly attributed to an overproduction of sebum and bacteria trapped within the pores, spot care oils help balance and regulate your skin’s oil production to make your skin balanced without being excessively drying.

• Patch: Pimple patches are known as ‘acne stickers’ that are made with hydrocolloid material that works by absorbing fluid from pimples. They are applied like bandages and can be worn at any time of the day. Because of their ability to seal out bacteria and moisture to allow for a faster recovery process, pimple patches make quick, effective and one of the best acne spot treatments for areas that are not largely inflamed.
  
  Apart from convenience, most pimple patches are thin and almost invisible that they can be used on any part of your face without compromising your makeup; you can even layer makeup on top of these small patches without worrying about potentially aggravating troubled spots.

How to use spot care?

The best way to make the most use out of your acne spot treatments will depend on the type that you are using and the type of breakout you are experiencing. If you are using an acne spot cream, pimple cream or spot oil, you should first start by cleansing your skin with a gentle facial cleanser, follow with a toner or facial mist to hydrate your skin first, and then apply the spot cream or oil of your choice.

On the other hand, if you are using a pimple patch, it is recommended to first cleanse your face to remove any traces of impurities that may clog pores. Carefully apply the pimple patches over affected areas and leave them on overnight. Thanks to its band-aid-like properties that seal out bacteria and moisture, they can be used even underneath sun care and makeup.

You can also apply detoxifying masks in conjunction with acne spot cream, pimple cream or pigmentation cream; like those that contain kaolin clay or charcoal to purify skin, clarify clogged pores and help control oil-water balance. The use of these purifying masks will allow products to absorb better into the skin and boost their benefits. When exfoliating pads or patches are used before applying acne spot treatment, it will work by gently exfoliating and removing dead skin cells to keep pores clarified which will also boost the absorption of pimple creams.

How often should pimple creams be used?

In terms of their frequency of usage, spot care treatment can be applied every day until your acne or pimple clears out. It is recommended to only apply pimple cream, pigmentation cream and spot cream only on affected areas because of their sebum-controlling properties. Before layering remaining skincare products like facial oils on top of your spot cream, allow the pimple cream to absorb first for maximum efficiency.

Why is salicylic acid so good as a spot treatment?

If you have frequent breakouts and suffer from acne, you’ve likely tried a product or two with strong active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid treatment, in particular, has been shown to be extremely effective in treating acne, irritated skin, cystic acne, mild and moderate acne, and hormonal acne. Salicylic acid can improve skin texture, stop excess oil production, remove skin cells causing bacteria, and calm reactive skin. Salicylic acid is an organic compound (a beta hydroxy acid) that exfoliates the skin, removes dead skin cells, and keeps pores clear. As such, salicylic acid is one of the most powerful and widely used acne spot treatments available.

Benzoyl peroxide is another active ingredient commonly used within acne spot treatments and strong acne treatments, particularly for cystic acne. Acne fighting benzoyl peroxide is used to treat skin often through prescription acne spot treatment, and is one of the stronger active ingredients that works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of germs and bacteria on the surface of the skin. Often prescribed for mild to moderate acne prone skin, benzoyl peroxide will work with other products to form an acne fighting skincare routine.

Shop Acne Spot Treatments with BONIIK

The best method to keep acne at bay is to ensure that you follow a proper skincare routine with products that are suitable for all skin types and skin concerns. Shop the best Korean beauty acne spot treatment, spot cream and pigmentation cream at BONIIK from our unique selection of K beauty brands to help achieve your desired skin goals.