Does Spot Treatment Work?
There is always that one particular spot that just won’t go. This is why we are truly thankful for spot treatments! With a selection of choices to decide from you will find a product that will certainly fit into your routine and work for your skin, zapping away all those pesky blemishes, but do they live up to all the skin claims, let’s find out more!
How long does spot treatment take to work?
The key to making spot treatments work is consistency. If there is a certain blemish that has no intention of going away any time soon applying the spot treatment topically when needed will give it some marching orders. You will find that it’ll roughly 4 weeks for the spot treatment to work at reducing the size and calming the redness of any breakouts.
There are many different types of spot treatments available. Some formulas leave behind a visible patch with the drying and bacteria fighting ingredients busily work underneath. These are the products that can be used overnight without the worry of making an enormous mess of your pillowcases unlike other products, such as toothpaste or nappy cream, both of which should not go anywhere near your face or breakouts.
You will also find there are other spot treatments that dry clear leaving you with the ability to apply makeup on top and go about your day without the worry of any funny looks. This type of formula works just as well and contains an array of potent, active ingredients that can help reduce redness and swelling significantly.
Is spot treatment necessary?
This is entirely up to your own personal preference. If you are finding some blemishes outstay their welcome and always seem to remain under the skin then you can use spot treatment to draw up the bacteria, dirt and excess sebum that is laying underneath. This will sometimes make the spot have a head and from there you can decide the next steps, be it an extraction performed by a beauty therapist or left in the hopes it will go away in its own time. The one point I must stress is to not squeeze or pick any spots yourself! It doesn’t matter if you use the most gentle touch or don’t squeeze too hard the skin breaking from the pressure will result in damage and sometimes lead to scarring and pigmentation.
We have a dedicated blog post for you about how to get rid of blemishes fast to help you with any other questions you may have and it is full of useful tips on treating and removing spots quickly without any lasting damage to the skin.
Do spot treatment make acne worse?
You can always have too much of a good thing. When using a spot treatment you must keep in mind that you will need to look after the skin around the blemishes as these topical products are known for being quite drying to the face.
The best method to choose when using strong spot treatments is to apply the product when needed on a particularly stubborn spot avoid applying the product on the entire face. This will stop the skin from becoming too dry, leaving the face feeling tight, irritated and can result in more breakouts. During the times you aren’t using the spot treatment salicylic acid is an ingredient that will work wonders in your routine! Salicylic acid is a BHA that works further down into the deeper layers of the skin and help to unclog pores of any build-up of bacteria, dirt and oil. By using a face wash or serum containing salicylic you have the ability to keep your skin clearer for a considerably longer amount of time. Just remember to keep the skin’s protective barrier hydrated and functioning correctly with a moisturiser that is full of hyaluronic acid and other skin nourishing ingredients.
When should I apply spot treatment?
When you need to, though this may sound very simple, (perhaps too simple when it comes to treating breakouts). But by using spot treatments on blemishes that need help clearing up quicker you are not only zapping those away, but keeping the skin balanced, healthy and happy. Here is a rundown of where the spot treatment should be applied throughout your daily routine:
Clean the skin using a cleanser or face wash
Apply a chemical exfoliating toner to slough away any remaining dead skin cells
If using a serum, apply this now allowing enough time for it to absorb into the skin
Apply spot treatment topically on any active blemishes that you’d want to treat
If using a face oil apply this now avoiding the spot treatment
Apply moisturiser
Apply eye cream
(AM only) Apply an SPF of 30 and above avoiding the spot treatment areas
If you are new to skincare or trying to introduce new steps in your regime this may seem like a lot, but as each product treats different areas or layers of the skin, with various ingredients and roles they perform you won’t overload the skin and should work well as a team to give your skin stunning clarity.
How can I get clear skin fast?
We have previously shared with you some helpful hints and methods in a blog post dedicated to getting rid of spots fast. There are also some easy steps to follow to give you clear skin:
Remove makeup every night with a cleanser that will work with your skin
Avoid touching your face throughout the day as this can transfer bacteria from your fingers to your face
Cut out refined sugar as much as you can from your diet
Avoid greasy and unhealthy fast food
Drink plenty of water daily
Change your pillowcases to avoid cross contamination
Wash your makeup brushes more than once a fortnight to keep them clear of bacteria and dirt that lead to spots
There you have it, we have hopefully answered your main questions about spot treatments and whether they work. You will find it to be a unique step in your routine, but once you have gotten into the habit of knowing how to use it you will wonder how you ever lived without it!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
