When a new spot pops up on our face, we tend to rush to take the fastest route to clearing it up – but if you’re experiencing post-acne pigmentation or scarring, then chances are you need to rethink and take a gentler approach to blemish-fighting. Strong, astringent ingredients are great at taking down a spot, but they often dry skin out in the process, causing irritation that can lead to lingering post-acne pigmentation (red marks) or scarring. Oh, and ‘gentler’ doesn’t equate to ‘not as good’, it just means that a product contains soothing, kind-to-skin ingredients as well as the more fast-acting ones that work to take down the breakout.
My skin has been acne-prone since my early teens (half my life!), and I have a bathroom brimming with beauty products as testament to the ever-ongoing battle I have with spots and the pigmentation they leave behind. I know exactly what to use when I have whiteheads, cysts, pustules, or a stubborn leftover red mark, but somehow, there’s never been a product designed to deal with both the breakout and its aftermath.
Which is why we created this Blemish Paste, and packed it with ingredients that help not only to get rid of the spot ASAP, but also help to strengthen and protect the skin, creating the right environment for it to heal properly, without leaving long-term damage like scarring or pigmentation.
What's inside?
Salicylic Acid
This BHA (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliates both the surface of the skin and in the pores to remove the dead skin cells that cause congestion. This will help both to clear the existing blemish and prevent future ones from occurring, while reducing the appearance of any pigmentation on the skin’s surface. It’s also an anti-inflammatory so will help to reduce redness and swelling.
Zinc carbonate
Also known as calamine, this gives the Blemish Paste its thick pink cream appearance. It soothes inflammation and relieves irritation with a cooling sensation as it dries, so helps to take down the redness and swelling of the blemish. In addition, its mild astringent properties help to dry out the blemish to get rid of it fast.
Glycerin
A powerful moisturiser that soothes skin and strengthens the skin barrier, glycerin helps to counteract any potentially drying side effects of the zinc carbonate. It helps skin to retain moisture and maintain cell health so you won’t experience any irritation or dryness.
Squalane
This naturally occurring oil is derived from olives but is also found in the human skin, which means it’s safe to use for all skin types and conditions and won’t clog pores or aggravate acne. In fact, it does the opposite, strengthening the skin barrier and improving skin health to help heal breakouts and prevent moisture loss.
Prebiotic
Labelled as alpha-glucan oligasaccharide, this protects and stimulates the good bacteria that skin needs to maintain health and better protect and heal itself. It also draws moisture into the skin and improves water retention.
Witch Hazel
Both soothing and astringent, witch hazel is antimicrobial and antibacterial so helps to clear the pore. In addition, it tightens the skin proteins to create a protective covering that helps to heal broken skin and prevent lingering scarring.
Niacinamide
As well as helping to regulate sebum and reduce inflammation, niacinamide works to strengthen the skin barrier by keeping it hydrated and healthy, which allows the blemish to heal faster. It also helps to fade pigmentation, preventing the breakout from leaving behind a stubborn mark.
Tocopherol
A pure form of vitamin E, this powerful antioxidant has photoprotection properties, which means it can reduce the damage caused by UVB rays that causes blemishes to scar and take more time to heal.
