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A routine for acne-prone skin
- Cleanse twice a day with a salicylic acid (BHA) cleanser, such as COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser or CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser. If you wear sunscreen or makeup, use a cleansing oil first at night.
- Soothe with a calming toner like Anua Heartleaf 77%.
- Treat with one serum: azelaic acid for redness and breakouts, or niacinamide for oil and marks.
- Moisturise, even if your skin is oily. Dehydrated skin makes more oil.
- Sunscreen every morning, so the marks pimples leave behind do not darken.
What to avoid
- Scrubbing hard or using several exfoliating products at once. Irritated skin breaks out more, not less.
- Squeezing pimples. It spreads bacteria and leaves dark marks that take months to fade.
- Heavy oils and thick creams on the face if you are breakout-prone.
- Changing products every week. Give a routine 6 to 8 weeks.
Blackheads and whiteheads
Salicylic acid dissolves the oil inside pores, so it works better than scrubbing. Use a clay mask like Neutrogena Clear Soothe once or twice a week to help.
Questions we get asked
What is the best cleanser for pimples in Kenya?
A gentle salicylic acid cleanser. COSRX and CeraVe SA are our most bought for oily, breakout-prone skin; CeraVe Foaming suits oily skin without active breakouts.
Can I use azelaic acid and niacinamide together?
Yes, they work well together and both help with the dark marks acne leaves.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have painful, deep cysts, acne that scars, or nothing has helped after 3 months, see a dermatologist. Prescription treatment is the right step for severe acne.
My acne marks will not go away. What next?
That is hyperpigmentation, and it needs a different approach: see dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. For severe or painful skin conditions, see a doctor or dermatologist.