5 Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations

Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations The most effective way to get rid of a pimple quick is to use a spot zapper. A spot zapper is a targeted pimple treatment that usually contains active acne ingredient such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil, to calm inflammation and heal pimple.

P.S: If you want to know more about the mentioned active acne ingredients, read my article on "Understanding The Acne Fighters".

Over the years, I have tried many different kinds of spot treatments and here are my FIVE PICKS that I find work the most effective in banishing pimples:

Number 1: Etude House AC Clinic Intense Liquid Spot

A spot zapper formulated with Salicylic Acid, which helps to calm inflammation and treat pimples. It also contains botanical extract (Hinoki Cypress) that reportedly inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria. What's more, it is in clear, liquid form which absorbs into the skin quickly, making it perfect to use under makeup! This is part of my everyday skin care routine~!

Check out my full review: http://info-tipstriks.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-etude-house-ac-clinic-intense.html

Number 2: Etude House AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot

Another part of my every day skin care routine~ This spot zapper has a similar formula as the Liquid Spot — Formulated with Salicylic Acid which helps to calm inflammation and treat pimples. It also contains botanical extract (Hinoki Cypress) that reportedly inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

The only difference is it has pink powder that contains sulfur — an antibiotic, and it will leave some pink powder residue on your skin after application. The pink powder helps to soothe and alleviate swelling skin to minimize damage. This is actually more powerful in treating pimples than the Liquid Spot but unfortunately, it is designed to use at night. Note: A cotton swab is required to extract the pink powder for application.

Check out my full review: http://info-tipstriks.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-etude-house-ac-clinic-pink.html

Number 3: Benzac AC Gel 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide

Formulated with active acne ingredient, Benzoyl Peroxide, that unblocks pores with a mild peeling effect and clears pimples within 48 hours. With it's unique Acrylates Copolymer (AC) Technology, it absorbs sebum and releases glycerin to help hydrate skin. Ideal to use on inflamed pimples!

Benzac AC Gel is also available in stronger concentration of 5% and 10%.

Check out my full review: http://info-tipstriks.blogspot.com/2015/07/review-benzac-ac-25-5-benzoyl-peroxide.html

Number 4: Thursday Plantation 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a natural, powerful antibacterial ingredient that zaps a broad spectrum of bacteria. It penetrates into the skin and dries out all kinds of pimples quickly.

As this is in the concentration of 100%, it is super powerful in dealing with acne. If you find 100% Tea Tree Oil is too strong for your skin as a spot treatment, you can take 1 drop and dilute with water, in 1:9 ratio, to create your own acne spot treatment. If you want to increase the strength, you can just dilute it with less water. 100% Tea Tree Oil has many uses. You can even use it to DIY homemade face mask for acne. For other uses, please google~

On the drawback, it may be harsh; people with sensitive skin have to watch-out because this may cause an allergic reaction.

Number 5: Innisfree JejuBija Anti-Trouble Spot Essence R

This spot essence is enriched with torreya seed oil and green calamine ingredients which help to rapidly calm down breakouts. It is a skin care product but it has a green undertone which kind of helps to neutralize redness. So sometimes I use it on my pimples as a color corrector prior to makeup application.

*P.S: Innisfree has discontinued both the Essence W and Essence R. But recently, they released a new product with an improved formula called Bija Anti-Trouble Spot Essence (without W or R) and it doesn't have the green undertone.

As the latter recommendation (Number 5) is a *discontinued product, I will include one more product to compensate for the "loss"...

Number 6: 3M Nexcare Acne Patch .aka. Blemish Clear Cover

These patches act as a barrier over the acne to reduce hand contact and infection. Best part? It helps to absorb oil and all the pus embedded in the pimple, thereby reducing the damage done to your skin because you don't have to pop and squeeze it with your fingers! Ideal for inflamed, pus-filled pimples. With these patches, you will be able to bid your zits a speedier farewell.

Nexcare Acne Patch is available mostly in circular shape, which gives the same effect as the square shape, but I prefer the square ones as I find it covers the zit and adhere to the skin better.

So these are the FIVE (or six?) acne spot treatments I recommend to try. I hope you find it helpful. 

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Understanding The Acne Fighters — Salicylic Acid .vs. Benzoyl Peroxide .vs. Tea Tree Oil

Salicylic Acid vs Benzoyl Peroxide vs Tea Tree Oil Note: All information written and shared in this article are based on my knowledge and experience.

Acne products are formulated with different types of active acne ingredients (= the fighters) and they work differently to fight acne. Therefore, when it comes to choosing an acne fighter for your skin, it is very important to know what each of them does.

The most frequently used active acne ingredients in over-the-counter acne products are Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide and Tea Tree Oil.

Salicylic Acid is a chemical that has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to calm and reduce inflammation. It slows down the shedding of skin cells inside the follicles to reduce the incidence of clogged pores. It may also breakdown whiteheads and blackheads.

The concentration of Salicylic Acid found in over-the-counter products is pretty much in a low and safe level, so it's less likely to cause irritation or peeling.

In my opinion, it is effective in treating non-inflamed and inflamed pimples, but it may take a longer time to heal big, painful cystic acne and it may not be very effective against severe acne like nodules.

Benzoyl Peroxide (B.P) zaps (P. acnes) bacteria, dries excess oil and remove dead skin cells clogging pores. It is also a chemical but is stronger than Salicylic Acid. Ideal for inflamed pimples.

Generally, Benzoyl Peroxide comes in 2.5%, 5% and 10%. People with sensitive skin have to be cautious with the level of concentration because the higher the concentration, the more it may irritate your skin.

Symptoms of irritation: Redness, itching, dryness

In my opinion, Benzoyl Peroxide treats pimples (including cystic acne) quicker than Salicylic Acid. On the downside, it may cause mild to severe dryness and some peeling.

Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is a natural, powerful antibacterial ingredient that kills a broad spectrum of bacteria. It penetrates into the skin and dries out all kinds of pimples quickly.

Tea Tree Oil is often found in varying concentrations. I think the lowest concentration of Tea Tree Oil found in over-the-counter products is 2% or 5%. Again, people with sensitive skin have to be cautious with the level of concentration because the higher the concentration, the more it may irritate your skin. The highest concentration of Tea Tree Oil I have seen is 100% — my brother is using 100% pure TTO and it works amazingly for him.

In my opinion, TTO is the most effective acne fighter and as it is a natural ingredient, it may be less irritating than B.P. Despite that, you still have to be cautious with TTO as it may cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of allergic reaction to TTO: Redness, itching, dryness, raw and bumpy patches/rashes.

For your reference, here's a picture of my allergic reaction to TTO back in Year 2013:

P.S: pardon the out-of-focus shot

FYI, I have been using Salicylic Acid -based products over the years, ever since I suffered from bad acne (refer to "My Acne Story"). So far, it hasn't caused any issues to my sensitive skin.

Anyway, my advice is to start from the mildest active acne ingredient with the smallest concentration. If your skin doesn't respond, then work your way up to stronger ingredient. By doing so, you will find out your skin's tolerance as well as reduce the chance of getting skin irritation.

I hope what I've shared can help you in choosing the right fighter for your acne. :)

Check out my article on "5 Acne Spot Treatments Recommendations" and "Understanding The Types Of Acne — Whitehead, Blackhead, Papule, Pustule, Cyst, Nodule".

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