How to Get Rid of Blemishes
Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, nobody is immune to experiencing skin blemishes at some point in their life. There are number of different types of blemishes on the face that can be caused by a variety of factors. If you’re in the dark about your blemishes, we know this skin concern is difficult to manage when it comes to selecting the right skincare products – not to mention the havoc they can wreak on your self-confidence! For all things blemishes and how to get rid of them, the experts at Garnier are here to answer your questions about clearing up your skin using a targeted skincare approach.
What are blemishes?
‘Blemish’ is an umbrella term for any type of mark, spot or discolouration that is visible on the skin. There are many different types of skin blemishes that can appear on the face, and these marks can affect every skin type – though they typically present on oily and mild acne-prone skin, mature skin and sun-damaged skin. Common types of blemishes include:
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Dark spots
- Age spots (also known as sun spots)
- Post-blemish marks
Pimple-related blemishes are often temporary, though post-blemish marks and other discolouration can appear visible on the skin for longer. Whether your blemishes are discolouration or pimple-related, thankfully, there are a wealth of skincare products designed to target blemish-prone skin and reduce their appearance. But first, let’s find out what might be causing your blemished skin.
What causes skin blemishes?
While dark spots and other discolouration may be caused by age or sun exposure, mild acne-prone skin blemishes appear on the face as breakouts. These breakouts tend to be triggered by an overproduction of oil, hormonal changes, or a combination of both.
Your skin naturally produces an oil called ‘sebum’ which helps keep the skin moisturised. However, too much sebum can cause a build-up in your pores, particularly in oily zones like the forehead, nose and chin. When sebum mixes with dead skin cells, dirt hair and other debris, this causes blocked pores.
Whiteheads: these types of mild acne-prone skin blemishes occur when the pore is clogged but the head of the blemish is white and closed.
Blackheads: like whiteheads, blackheads are the result of a blocked pore. When dead skin cells, dirt and other bacteria are exposed to air they ‘oxidise’, making them turn black.
How to get rid of blemishes with a targeted skincare routine
Now that we understand what can cause blemishes on the face, we can start to formulate a blemish-prone skincare routine for oily to combination skin using Garnier’s Pure Active range. Using a triple-threat combination of cleansing, exfoliating and applying face serums, powerful formulas can help you manage imperfections.
- Cleansing: this step is crucial in removing impurities and providing a fresh, clean canvas for products that follow. Apply the Charcoal Cleansing Gel to wet skin to effectively remove oil buildup and imperfections. This cleanser can be applied daily, morning and night, to visibly improve blackheads and prevent them from reoccurring.
- Exfoliating: using an exfoliator can be hugely beneficial on blemish-prone skin to loosen dead skin cells, unclog pores and reduce excess oil. Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash, Scrub & Mask can be used as a daily cleanser, scrub or mattifying mask to target skin blemishes and minimise their reappearance. To use as an exfoliating scrub, apply daily to your T-zone, massaging in gentle circles. Rinse off with water.
- Applying serums: After cleansing and exfoliating, apply the AHA+BHA Charcoal Anti-Blemish Serum. This serum harnesses the power of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to gently exfoliate the skin so you can visibly improve pimples, imperfections and post-blemish marks. Also formulated with niacinamide, our anti-blemish serum also keeps the skin nourished and controls redness. Regular use helps smooth skin texture and give way to a brighter, more even complexion. This serum can be used morning and night as an all-over face serum or applied to spot areas for ongoing blemish care and maintenance.
- Bonus – don’t forget to moisturise: When you have oily and blemish-prone skin, it’s important to keep the skin balanced. Finish your routine with a gel moisturiser like Skin Active Hyaluronic Aloe Hydrating Day Jelly Moisturiser for beautifully plump skin.
If you want to manage other skin blemishes like discolouration, explore our guide on how to get rid of dark spots.
