After years of using drying acne medications, I noticed that my skin barrier wasn't in great shape. If you've ever dealt with acne in any form, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Sometimes, you become so focused on drying out your acne, that you forget hydration is also absolutely key. (Ask any dermatologist!) Needless to say, I discovered a little over a year ago that I'd done significant damage to my moisture barrier (live and learn). But every expert I spoke to reminded me how resilient an organ skin is, so if you're struggling with a similar problem, just know that it will heal.
It has been a bit of a slow process finding the right skincare for me, but I recently got very into K-beauty due to its highly effective formulas that all come at a really affordable price point. A lot of Korean skincare focuses on maintaining a healthy skin barrier. A healthy skin barrier is what keeps bacteria and other aggressors from permeating your skin and causing things like acne. I love this approach because many brands offer acne-clearing formulas that are effective yet gentle and non-drying.
One such brand I found that I'm a huge fan of is Aestura. I recently started using its Atobarrier365 Hydro Essence ($29), and let me tell you, the difference I've seen in my skin is astounding. My skin used to become dehydrated really easily, which I think was contributing to breakouts. After adding this essence, I've seen such a helpful difference in moisture levels and overall skin health. The best part? It's only $29! I'd say that's pretty great for a high-quality formula. Pretty much all the products in Aestura's acne collection are under $35—a win for both your skin and your wallet. TBH, as a beauty editor, I've used less effective products that were three times that price. (Don't @ me.) I spoke to Jeong-Hwan Kim, Ph.D., senior researcher at Aestura Derma Lab, about the products and how you can help maintain a healthy skin barrier. Read on for what he had to share along with a few of my other favorite K-beauty brands for acne.
"When it comes to supporting the skin barrier, lipid components like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids are essential," says Kim. "Strengthening the skin barrier with these lipids is crucial, as a weakened barrier can lead to aggravated skin conditions in response to allergens. Moreover, using products with a mildly acidic pH can help restore the skin's acid mantle, which is often disrupted causing dermatological issues. Aestura's Atobarrier365 collection is specifically created for skin barrier support. For individuals in need of deep moisturization, the Atobarrier365 Cream ($32) is an excellent choice with its rich and creamy formula. Lipid components are actually part of your skin, so it's essential to replenish these when there is a deficiency. Atobarrier 365 Cream contains a capsulized lipid complex (comprised of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids), which is a patented technology developed by Aestura."
As far as acne goes, Kim says these old-faithful ingredients are truly best. "Retinoic acid and benzoyl peroxide are considered among the best in prescription treatments in Korea, with clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness. Salicylic acid and PHA, found in cosmetics, are also highly regarded for their ability to exfoliate and penetrate deep into pores, making them beneficial for improving acne." A few of Aestura's acne fighters happen to contain PHAs, as they're pretty gentle and non-drying on the skin. Shop Aestura's product selection below.
This pH-balanced cleansing foam deep cleans the pores of excess sebum, dirt, and oil. It's also suitable for sensitive skin and contains redness-calming ingredients like allantoin.
If you like more of a gel texture when it comes to your cleanser, try the brand's Theracne365 Clear pH Balancing Cleansing Gel. It's packed with PHA, a water-soluble exfoliant that's gentle on sensitive skin but still gets the job done in terms of clearing acne.
Aestura's Theracne toner is oil-free and noncomedogenic. It's formulated with green tea extract to regulate skin's oil levels and bergamot fruit extract helps to promote skin cell renewal, clearing breakouts over time.
This hydrating essence is my favorite product from the brand. It's hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic and helps add much-needed moisture to breakout-prone and dehydrated skin. If you struggle with moisture-barrier damage after using too many drying acne products, this might just be the perfect essence for you. It contains amino acids, minerals, and ceramides to help nourish skin and repair your barrier. I've been using it for a few weeks and have already noticed a huge difference in hydration levels, and my skin looks a lot healthier.
The Atobarrier365 Lotion is packed with all the ingredients a healthy skin barrier needs—cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides. It's great for dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin and might even work well as a moisturizer for those with combination skin in the winter.
More Great Korean Skincare Products for Acne
This moisturizer is fantastic for sensitive, dry, or dehydrated skin. I use it twice a day, and my skin has never looked or felt better. Not only do you get a lot of product for a great price, but also it's rich in ceramides so it thoroughly hydrates your skin without being greasy or leaving a residue. It also hasn't broken me out, which is a literal miracle. Most of the time, I find a moisturizer that's either noncomedogenic and not hydrating enough or hydrating enough and breaks me out, so hallelujah! If your skin is similar, I definitely say give it a try. I also appreciate that Purito is a clean brand, and this moisturizer is silicone-free. Silicones are great for drier skin types because they lock moisture into the skin barrier, but aren't always besties with acne-prone skin since they can potentially trap acne-causing bacteria on the surface.
There's nothing like a deep pore cleanse, and this Innisfree mask is the perfect product for it. It gently exfoliates with lactic acid while Jeju volcanic clusters help absorb excess oil in the skin. Incorporating this once or twice a week will help keep breakouts at bay.
I love that Korean brands tend to focus on hydration and care of the moisture barrier rather than drying your skin out to heal blemishes. I had to learn the hard way that drying my skin out wasn't the way, and this snail mucin–infused product really helped. It very lightly exfoliates but also adds much-needed moisture to a damaged barrier.
Some by Mi's Miracle Toner is an acne-fighting concoction containing tea tree water extract and powerful exfoliators to improve skin texture and can even help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Although it does contain a blend of chemical exfoliants, it's still gentle enough for sensitive skin.
If your acne tends to make the skin around it red and inflamed, this ampoule offers a solution. Containing 92% tea tree leaf water, it helps to gently soothe, hydrate, and kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
Round Labs offers a handful of great sunscreens, but this particular formula is designed for acne-prone and sensitive skin. It's actually really hydrating and leaves no white cast.
I know that not everyone is a fan of cleansing oils for acne-prone skin, but some people (including me) absolutely swear by it. I like to use a good oil cleanser in the evening as a first step to remove makeup, sunscreen, and any excess oil from my skin. If you use a good one that's noncomedogenic like Round Lab's Dokdo Cleansing Oil, it can really help deep-cleanse your pores before going in with a water-based cleanser.
Propolis extract helps to both hydrate the skin and act as an antibacterial agent, making it super helpful for acne-prone skin. Niacinamide in this formula also helps to control oil, lightens pigmentation, and calms the skin.
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