We’ve all been there. Just when you get one breakout under control, something else pops up – and tackling it with harsh, abrasive ingredients often makes matters worse. Luckily, our experts have worked out how to incorporate powerful, blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and laminaria saccharina into a super gentle, yet effective, anti-blemish routine that'll help keep your skin in the clear.

But it’s not just skincare – our innovative Anti-Blemish Solutions range also includes makeup, so you can treat blemishes and breakouts at every step. What's more, thanks to the mattifying, clarifying properties of our targeted anti-blemish formulas, they are also a great addition to any skincare routine for oily skin or oily combination skin.

The best way to get, and keep, breakouts under control is with a consistent, non-irritating routine – even when your breakout clears up. Keep reading to discover our gentle yet potent skincare and makeup routine for blemish-prone and oily skin, and to learn a little more about what causes blemishes and how to get rid of blemishes. 

Essentially, a blemish is any mark that appears on the skin – it could be anything from a blackhead to an angry red spot. At Clinique, when we talk about blemishes, we are primarily referring to breakouts of pimples and spots. 

There are several different types of blemishes that can occur at any age, on any skin type – though people with oily or oily combination skin are generally more blemish-prone than others. Some of the most common types of blemish are:

Blackheads.

Blackheads are an accumulation of sebum (oil) and dead skin cells in the opening of hair follicles in the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the t-zone. They are slightly raised, dark in colour and are rarely painful. 

Whiteheads. 

Whiteheads, also known as closed comedones, are also formed when a hair follicle becomes clogged with excess oil and dead skin, however the pore remains closed creating the characteristic white top. The difference between whiteheads and blackheads is that the blackhead pore is open, exposing the plug inside to air, which oxidises creating a black appearance.  

Spots or pimples. 

If you think of acne or blemishes, spots are probably the first thing that comes to mind. When someone refers to a spot or a pimple, it typically is either a papule or pustule. Papules occur when a comedone (either a blackhead or whitehead) becomes inflamed, releasing bacteria into the surrounding skin and causing inflammation. They typically appear as small red bumps on the skin's surface and are commonly casued by excess oil in the skin, alongside other factor such as hormones, stress and diet. Pustules are papules that have become infected and clogged with pus, oil and dead skin. They are characterised by a white or yellow centre with red edges, can appear all over the body and can become painful. 

Nodules. 

Nodular acne is a more severe form of acne, characterised by painful, red lumps deep within the skin. Like all blemishes and acne, it's caused by blocked pores and trapped bacterial, however unlike papules, pustules and comedones, nodules don't have a white or blackhead at the centre. Nodular acne can be caused by hormones, excessive sweat, genetics, and can typically last for weeks or months. As a more severe form of acne, nodules require specialist care from a dermatologist and prescription-grade treatments. 

Cysts.

Cystic acne is another type of severe inflammatory acne that requires prescription-grade treatments and advice from a dermatologist. Like nodules, cysts develop deep under the skin and occur when oil and dead skin clogs the pores and bacteria becomes trapped, creating a painful pus-filled bump. Cysts are softer to the touch, whereas nodules are hard, but both can be painful and difficult to treat. 

Broadly speaking, breakouts and blemishes occur when hair follicles become clogged by oil, dead skin and bacteria. Blemishes and acne vary in severity, but there are several common triggers that can lead to breakouts. 

Hormones. 

Perhaps the most well-known trigger, as blemishes are particularly common during puberty and other hormonal changes. Hormonal surges during puberty cause the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands to expand and create excess sebum, leading to breakouts. Hormonal breakouts and blemishes can also appear throughout adulthood, and adult acne is more common in women due to hormone fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle, menopause and pregnancy.

Genetics.

More severe forms of acne and breakouts have a genetic component. If both your parents had acne, you are more likely to experience acne either in adolescence or adulthood. 

Skincare and makeup.

Certain ingredients in skincare and makeup products can cause or exacerbate existing breakouts. Everyone's skin is different, so specific ingredients may trigger breakouts in one person, but not another. If you're experience breakouts and blemishes, we recommend avoiding any products containing fragrance and oil. All Clinique skincare and makeup is formulated without fragrance and is meticulously allergy tested to avoid any skin reactions. The vast majority of our skincare and makeup formulations are also oil-free, including every product in our Anti Blemish Solutions regimen.

It's worth noting that some skincare active ingredients, such as retinoids, can cause blemishes when you start using them. This is known as purging, or the retinol purge, and occurs as the retinoid is bringing blemishes to the surface. With consistency, purging should only last a few weeks, while your skin gets used to the retinisation process. Other active ingredients that can cause purging include AHA/BHAs, salicylic acid and vitamin C.

Diet. 

Food with a high glycaemic index (GI) and dairy products can also trigger blemish flare-ups. 

There's no one fix-all ingredient when it comes to skincare for acne or blemish-prone skincare. There are, however, a number of skincare actives that can be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of blemishes, though we recommend using a combination of actives to safely, gently tackle breakouts. These include:

Salicylic acid.

One of the star ingredients in our much-loved Anti Blemish Solutions range is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a form of beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps to encourage cell turnover, clear bocked pores, control excess sebum production and smooth skin's texture. ‘I love salicylic acid and use it all the time. It's a highly effective and super gentle chemical exfoliant that whisks away pore-clogging dead skin cells ot pave the way for clearer skin,’ explains Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Witch hazel.

Another hero ingredient in anti-blemish skincare is witch hazel extract. Witch hazel has astringent, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and can also help to soothe and heal the skin. 

Retinoids. 

Though more commonly associated with anti-ageing, retinoids can also be beneficial in treating and preventing blemishes, as well as scarring. Vitamin A derivatives such as retinol help to accelerate cell turnover, which cna help to rebalance sebum production and minimise blocked pores, which can cause blemishes and breakouts. 

Any skincare routine for oily skin or blemish-prone skin would be incomplete without salicylic acid – a.k.a. a beta-hydroxy acid or BHA. Dr. David Orentreich, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, concurs: “This gentle chemical exfoliant is one of the most popular acne treatments for a good reason. It paves the way for clearer skin by removing dead skin cells that accumulate in your pores and encouraging cell turnover to help prevent future breakouts.”

Now that you know how beta-hydroxy acid works to fight blemishes, you’ll want to include it in one of the most important steps: cleansing. Our Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam is our best cleanser for acne or blemish-prone skin because it’s specifically formulated with exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid and acetyl glucosamine to help clear dead skin cells that can contribute to clogged pores. It's also packed with oil-controlling ingredients like laminaria saccharina extract to prevent blemish-causing oil build up, alongside anti-irritants like caffeine, sucrose, sea whip and kola nut extract to help soothe and calm any redness or inflammation. If you prefer a refreshing gel texture, try our Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Gel.

To stay one step ahead of acne and blemishes, apply a gentle yet effective liquid exfoliator twice a day. Step 2 in our innovative clear skin system, our Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion is a great way to keep breakouts under control, without over-exfoliating, which can actually irritate and spread existing blemishes. This refreshing, mattifying formula instantly reduces excess oil and shine thanks to silica, ideal for an oily skin routine, while blemish-fighting exfoliators salicylic acid and acetyl glucosamine work to unclog pores and clear breakouts. It also sweeps away pore-clogging debris and dead skin, helping to prevent future blackheads and blemishes.

Treat existing breakouts and stay one step ahead of new ones with Anti-Blemish Solutions All-Over Clearing Treatment. This oil-free treatment moisturiser helps to hydrate, smooth and comfort skin while preventing future breakouts. It’s a common misconception that oily and blemish-prone skin doesn’t need a moisturiser – in fact, a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser will help to restore the oil balance in the skin and soothe any irritation caused by blemishes or potent acne treatments. This lightweight hydrator is expertly formulated with salicylic acid and other anti-blemish ingredients to help control the spread of spots, soothe irritation, prevent oil build-up and exfoliate dead skin cells that can contribute to clogged pores.

When you feel that tell-tale tingle, stop it in its tracks with Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. This topical spot treatment floods active blemishes with exfoliating salicylic acid, oil-controlling laminaria saccharina extract, mattifying witch hazel and anti-microbial benzalkonium chloride. It helps to nix blemishes upon application, while preventing new ones from forming. Whether you experience the occasional spot or regular breakouts, this daily treatment gel is great to have on standby for instant action. Depending on your skin, you can either apply it as a thin layer to the entire face, or spot-apply on active blemishes. If you're using another all-over acne treatment, we'd recommend spot-applying this blemish gel to avoid any potential dryness.

At Clinique, we know how important it is to look after your skin at every step – including makeup. Dermatologist-tested and salicylic acid-powered, our newly reformulated Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup is an extension of our most advanced blemish-correcting formulas. Designed for blemish-prone and oily/oily-combination skin types, this oil-free foundation helps cover, clear and prevent the look of blemishes with salicylic acid and soothing lactobacillus ferment. The lightweight formula instantly blurs pores and mattifies, blending away the look of blemishes with moderate coverage and a natural matte finish. 

Our derm-trained experts are at your service. Educated in partnership with our guiding dermatologists, our in-house experts are here to help you achieve your skin goals.

Equipped with diagnostic tools and education backed by dermatological science, our Clinical Consultants will help you create a bespoke skincare routine to deliver instant wins and results over time.

The team’s expertise, combined with our advanced dermatologist-developed formulas, will help you see a visible improvement in the look of common skin concerns including blemishes and breakouts. Book your Clinical Consultation today to get started.