ICYMI: June is Acne Awareness Month

This June, we're shining a spotlight on the month that is: Acne Awareness Month. Yep, this whole month is dedicated to raising awareness for the plight of the pimply. Okay more than that, the month draws attention to the dos and don'ts when you're experiencing a troublesome breakout. And of course, bringing to light the fact that problematic skin is completely normal, with some of the biggest stars suffering with the issue too (Riverdale co-stars Madelaine Petsch and Lili Reinhart both spoke out about their journeys). 

Acne Awareness Month

If you were a teen blessed with smooth skin, we want you to just know we all envied you. But hey, smooth skin as a teen doesn't mean you're in the clear. With adult acne on the rise, we're all one stressful day away from a hormonal breakout. Okay, maybe we're being dramatic, but when pimples pop up, dramatic is the only acceptable response, until of course it's time to get down to some serious skin care business. 

Of course, we know it's tricky navigating the world when you've got blemish concerns raging at the back of your mind. But to give you some solace (and some top advice) we spoke to Michael Porter, founder of Skin Control (and former acne-sufferer). 

Even though Porter had an interest in skin care from a young age, it didn't leave him exempt from experiencing acne. When he went looking for effective, affordable, innovative solutions on the Aussie market, he found that there was nothing that would actually help his skin, which is where the iconic Skin Control pimple patches came from (with a little K-beauty influence). 

What causes acne?

Acne can be caused by a myriad of things. One of the main contributors is excess oil. When excess oil (or sebum) gets too much, it can end up clogging your pores getting trapped beneath the surface. And that's where acne is generally born. Other triggers can be changes in hormones (like puberty and pregnancy) and external environmental factors (like your dirty pillow cases). 

If you're struggling through a breakout, it's always worth speaking to a dermatologist to find the most effective routine to help you through.

Acne-safe products & key ingredients

So, we're not going to sit here and list every ingredient known to help acne-prone skin. But some major must-haves in your blemish-busting routine include the likes of niacinamide (A.K.A vitamin B3), retinoids and some of Skin Control's faves: salicylic acid and tea tree. 

But we'd say keep your eyes out for any serums looking to target acne breakouts and keep in mind ingredients that work for your skin (because what works for you might not work for your bestie). If you're on a tight budget and can only afford a few blemish-ridding picks, we'd recommend looking for these three categories. 

Cleanser

Look, it goes without saying that we should all be cleansing our faces multiple times a day. And if you've got oily, blemish-prone skin, it's a must. But finding a cleanser that specifically targets blemishes at the root of the problem is key. The La Roche Posay Effaclar + M Foaming Gel ($31.95 at Chemist Warehouse) walks the line of gentle and active-packed. 

Retinol

Retinol is an ingredient worth investigating if you're struggling to hit your smooth skin goals. Known for the skin 'purging' process that can come with retinol use, you may find your skin potentially get a little worse before it gets better. But this ingredient often comes with a dermatologist's tick of approval, as long as it's used carefully. Finding a gentle pick (often mixed with other skin-loving ingredients) like Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment ($22 at Paula's Choice) is bound to help you on your journey.

Detoxifying Mask

We all know how great it feels to slather on a mask and feel like we've done a mini reset for the week ahead. And for those of us dealing with blemishes and breakouts, a clarifying clay mask — infused with skin-clearing actives — is a multiple times a week must. Image Skincare Clear Cell Clarifying Salicylic Masque ($74.95 at Image Skincare) is able to harness the pore-unclogging power of the salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and clarify.

Pimple Patches

The tiny little dots are infused with some majorly importantly blemish-absorbing ingredients, and wearing them can help protect your pimple from external factors. Our faves are the Skin Control Party Pack ($9 at Big W) because the cute little designs gracing our faces allow us to confidently show face while still combatting the problem. And we're here for that. 

And while June might be halfway over (where did the time go?), there's more acne-empowerment around the corner. Because this June, Skin Control have launched the 'Put Your Best Face Forward' initiative. With every selfie posted online featuring and tagging Skin Control, they'll donate $10 to Beyond Blue. The partnership comes as many young Aussies are at risk of experiencing impacted mental health because of their skin. So, share your selfies, embrace your skin and put your best face forward this June.

And, because a month isn't enough to showcase seriously normal skin, there's also Acne-Positive Day, which lands on September 1st. So, be sure to keep snapping up makeup free selfies and use Reinhart's #breakoutbuddy tag to share your experiences and beautiful faces. Because at the end of the day, blemishes don't diminish who you are. 

Main Image Credit: @lilireinhart

Want to hear more relatable celeb stories? We've found out about Alix Earle's acne journey...