The Best Ingredients for Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of ALL ages. Acne is caused by a variety of factors including genetics, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of acne in any individual person. As you may know, however, a good skincare routine can help with reducing acne and the appearance of acne scars.
According to Yale Medicine, while younger people more frequently struggle with acne, over 20% of women and 10% of men continue to report having acne into their 40’s (Source). With such a large market of individuals looking to reduce the appearance of acne, starting your skincare line with a product targeted at reducing acne can be a great start.
In this blog we will discuss ingredients that can help reduce acne, and can be added to your skincare product to help your customers reduce acne. Whether you are looking to private label skincare or formulate your own skincare, we can help you identify some formulations that can be sold to your customers for acne reduction.
Let’s Go!
What causes acne and how can the right skincare ingredients help?
According to Yale Medicine there are 6 main factors that contribute to the formation of acne in teens and adults:
Genetics
Diet
Endocrine Disorders
Stress
Certain Medications
Skincare Products
While the first 5 factors can be difficult to control, the right skincare with good ingredients for treating acne can help reduce and control acne for all ages. Skincare can help to reduce acne through two main avenues:
Reduce bacteria on the skin through anti-microbial ingredients
Unclogging pores and reducing dirt and debris on the skin
Starting your skincare line with an acne reducing product will allow you to reach a broad audience of users and even help your customers feel more confident! Next we will talk about the best ingredients for acne that perform both functions mentioned above.
The 5 best Skincare Ingredients for Acne Prone Skin:
Salicylic acid
This beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is a gentle chemical exfoliant that helps to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. Clogged pores and dead skin cells present on the skin’s surface contribute the formation of acne. While effective at unclogging pores, salicylic acid can be a harsh exfoliator that breaks down the barrier of the skin. In the long run,breaking down the skin’s barrier can allow ever more debris to enter the skin’s pores.
If you choose to start your skincare brand for those with acne using a formulation that includes salicylic acid, your customers should not use the product everyday. Since salicylic acid is considered a drug by the FDA, it will require a special certification to produce for sale on the US market.
For more information on salicylic acid and its effects when compared to glycolic acid, check out this blog.
There are some gentler alternatives to salicylic acid, however, including willow bark extract. Willow bark extract is salicylic acid’s lesser know cousin and is also a chemical exfoliator, however it is more gentle on the skin and its barrier.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a natural ingredient that is often used to treat acne. This essential oil fights acne through its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective at reducing the appearance of acne and preventing new breakouts from forming. An added bonus of this all natural ingredients is its plesent scent
Since acne is partially caused by bacteria on the skin’s surface, using this anti-microbial ingredient helps to reduce bacteria on the skin and reduce the formation of acne. Finding acne fighting ingredients that are natural can be a difficult task. If you are looking to start your skincare line with clean ingredients, this all natural ingredient can be a great option for your customers to fight acne using all natural and clean ingredients. It is also gentle on the skin and can be used by people with sensitive skin.
At Genie Supply tea tree oil can be added to any of our private label formulas for an additional cost through our custom product creation program to give your skincare line an extra kick for fighting acne. To learn more about our custom product creation program check out this webpage all about it!
Retinoids
There are a few different types of retinoids that be used in skincare formulations that are effective at reducing acne. Retinol and tertian, for example, are great ingredients for fighting acne. These vitamin A derivatives work by increasing cell turnover and unclogging pores, helping to prevent acne breakouts and improve the overall appearance of the skin. Retinol can also help reduce the appearance of acne scarring by evening skin tone and overall brightening the skin.
Retinoids can be considered clean skincare, dependent upon the type of retinoids used. Although a clean ingredient, retinol can be a little harsh for sensitive skin types. Formulations containing high amounts of retinol should not used daily, and you should always apply sunscreen when using a skincare product that contains retinol as it makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light.
At Genie Supply, we have a wealth of experience formulating clean retinol skincare! Check out some of our favorite private label formulas:
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3, is another ingredient that can be effective for treating acne. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce the appearance of redness and swelling associated with acne. Niacinamide may also help to improve the skin's barrier function, which can help to prevent moisture loss and protect the skin from environmental damage. This ingredient fights acne through improving the skin’s barrier and blocking out dirt and debris from entering the skin’s pores.
At Genie Supply we have a few great formulations with niacinamide as the star ingredient. Check out these formulations or even formulate your own clean skincare product to help reduce the appearance of acne!
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, the final ingredient on this list, is also a great acne fighting ingredient in any skincare, not to mention it is also a clean ingredient. Aloe vera is known for its healing and hydrating properties, both of which help with reducing acne and treating the aftermath of acne breakouts.
Since aloe vera is a soothing ingredient, it can help to soothe the skin, and reduce the redness acne often leaves behind. Similar to niacinamide, aloe vera helps to rebuild the skin’s barrier and hydrate the skin which will leave the skin less likely to allow dirt and debris to enter it.
It is a genlter ingredient that is great for sensitive, yet acne prone skin. Check out our private label formulations with aloe vera and even order a sample to get started.
Formulating Skincare for Acne Prone Skin:
It is important to note that while these ingredients can be effective for treating acne, they may not work for everyone. While the 5 ingredients highlighted above are great ingredients to include in your skincare line for acne prone skin, there are many others that perform similar functions.
To find the perfect acne fighting ingredient for your skincare line, you can talk with a chemist or even do more research to ensure your skincare line contains the perfect ingredients for your customer base.
Work with Genie Supply:
As you may have noticed, at Genie Supply we have formulated a wealth of formulations intended to help fight acne for all skin types. If you are looking to start your skincare line, starting an acne fighting formulation can be an effective route to reaching a large audience base.
Take a look at all of our acne fighting formulations linked above or even scroll through our private label formulation catalog to find products with the ingredients you want to start your skincare line with.
If you are looking for a more customized product, take a look at our custom formulating web page and even schedule a consult to discuss your acne fighting skincare idea!
In the meantime, learn more about Genie Supply, our values and team members here.
Extra questions? Email us at customerservice@geniesupply.com or give us a call at 812-329-1105.