The 5 Holy Grail Acne-Fighting Ingredients

February 24, 2021

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O-M-G! My skin has been acting up lately – painful, inflamed pimples have formed on my face and I can’t get them under control with my usual skincare regimen. I need an upgrade, pronto!

But… I am not an expert when it comes to acne care. My regular skincare routine comprises only of a cleanser and a moisturizer. I started researching on acne-fighting products that can help soothe my breakouts but ended up feeling super lost and confused. There’s so much distracting information online, from “cult-favourites you must have” to “biggest skincare trends in 2021”. I don’t want to buy into trends. I want products that are suitable for my unique skin concerns and can effectively treat my blemishes.

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Does this sound like you? If it does, we’re here to help! Let’s clear the fog and get to know the 5 holy grail acne-fighting ingredients that should be on your radar. Together, we’ll uncover the science behind each ingredient to determine if they live up to their hype so that you can make informed choices on the best skincare for you!

Ictasol (“The Holy Grail of Holy Grails”)

Ictasol is Lumipeau’s holy grail star ingredient for very good reasons.

Originating from the magnificent French Jura Mountains, Ictasol is mined from a beautiful limestone with organic matter that can be tracked back to phytoplankton found in a dazzling lagoon in the Mesozoic era (the age of the dinosaurs). Dating back to centuries ago, this ultimate acne-fighting ingredient backed by intensive research was a favoured ancient medicine trusted and used by doctors in hospitals and private practices.

Ictasol has been clinically proven to improve the overall appearance of acne-prone skin condition by 94%* and reduce the number of pimples by 80%**. The active ingredient is favoured for acne treatments due to its multifunctional efficacies. Acne is often triggered by a combination of several interlinked factors, such as excess oil and bacteria on the skin, therefore an ingredient that delivers a broad spectrum of anti-acne properties will be best suited to tackle it.

Our star ingredient is anti-seborrheic and regulates sebum production which helps to prevent pores from getting clogged. It is anti-inflammatory and therefore is effective at soothing inflamed skin, reducing the appearance of redness and swelling. In addition, this powerful ingredient is anti-microbial and kills acne-triggering bacteria on the skin thus, reduces the recurrence of breakouts. The compound is suitable for all skin types, non-irritating, non-comedogenic, non-phototoxic, non-mutagenic and non-carcinogenic.

Learn More About Ictasol

Salicylic Acid (“The Specialist”)

Salicylic Acid needs no introduction. Derived from the bark of willow trees, this popular acne-fighting powerhouse is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), and like a Specialist, is extremely well-versed in the department of skin exfoliation to keep pores clear. This potent ingredient is especially effective against whiteheads and blackheads.

The BHA works to clear acne by penetrating into the skin to dissolve dead skin cells which prevents clogged pores and therefore, gradually improving acne-prone skin condition and reduce recurrence. In addition, its anti-inflammatory property helps to soothe breakouts and speed up the healing process of acne.

Niacinamide (“The Versatile All-Rounder”)

Niacinamide is a skincare staple in acne care. Also known as Nicotinamide, the Vitamin B3 is an essential nutrient that is skilled at combating inflammatory forms of acne such as papules and pustules while treating hyperpigmentation at the same time, like a versatile All-Rounder.

The powerful vitamin helps to regulate oil production which is a common culprit for breakouts and reduces inflammation, redness and blotchiness. Moreover, Niacinamide helps to grow a ceramide barrier on the skin which enables it to lock in moisture. If you have developed dark spots from previous breakouts, this ingredient can work to lighten them over time.

Tea Tree Oil (“The Heavyweight”)

Tea Tree Oil is one of acne’s biggest enemies. This Heavyweight in the acne-fighting arena originates from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia, a tree native to Australia. Dating back to centuries ago, Tea Tree Oil was used as traditional medicine by the Aborigines to treat coughs and colds, and applied topically onto skin for healing.

The essential oil boasts many scientifically backed benefits and contains compounds including Terpinen-4-ol which eradicates bacteria, viruses and fungi, giving Tea Tree Oil its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The ingredient keeps oily skin in check, soothes and heal skin inflammations and as a result, reduces the number of pimples and overall severity of blemished skin over time.

Eucalyptus Extract (“The Protector”)

Eucalyptus Extract is a lesser known but no less effective treatment for acne. The aromatic herb derived from Eucalyptus, a fast-growing plant native to Australia, works to calm inflamed skin, soothe infections and prevent future breakouts like a Protector.

Eucalyptus Extract offers much needed TLCs with its skin soothing effects. The herb features anti-inflammatory properties which helps to reduce redness and swelling, as well as anti-bacterial and anti-fungal powers. Topical application of Eucalyptus Extract can also improve skin firmness and elasticity, making the skin less susceptible to environmental stressors.

These 5 holy grail acne-fighting ingredients can work well together, but, everyone’s skin is unique so we strongly recommend to conduct a simple patch tests with new skincare products in order to eliminate those that can potentially irritate your skin. Our skincare journeys may be fraught with information overload and a tad of confusion sometimes, but we’re always here to help you out.

Stay calm and soldier on, fellow acne battlers!

Footnotes

*In a multicentric study in clinical practices on efficacy of a cream containing 1% of Ictasol on 101 test persons who suffered mild to moderately severe acne. in the treatment period of 6 weeks, 94% of participants saw improvements to their acne skin condition.

**In a monocentric study on efficacy and tolerance of a cream containing 1% of Ictasol on 20 test persons who suffered from mild to moderately severe acne. In the treatment period of 8 weeks, the average number of pimples that participants have were reported to have reduced by about 80%.