Pimples is never attributable to only one factor. It’s often a melting pot of extra sebum, useless pores and skin cells, and a sprinkle of acne-causing micro organism that turns into breakouts. And to make issues extra difficult, food regimen, hormones, genetics, and stress can even play a job.

However after 15 years of finding out, testing, and curating Korean skincare—as an esthetician and cofounder of Soko Glam—I’ve discovered that Korean skincare has a way more nuanced strategy to pimples. Okay-beauty focuses on supporting the pores and skin barrier and calming acne-induced irritation, relatively than stripping the pores and skin and treating it aggressively. It is an strategy that has helped not solely me, personally, but additionally numerous others.

This philosophy has turn into extra significant to me over time. I handled pimples as a youngster, after which once more in my 30s, and I do know that I wasn’t alone, as 50% of adults take care of grownup pimples. Now that I’m 40, I’m a robust advocate for treating pimples with mild intention, cushioning your pores and skin with the fitting hydration, medicinal botanicals, and even (mini) bandages on your breakouts.

Calming Medicinal Botanicals

Korean insiders know that soothing substances similar to mugwort extract and Centella asiatica (generally known as cica) nonetheless reign supreme in Okay-Magnificence to assist deal with infected or delicate pores and skin. Mugwort is one other conventional Korean ingredient identified to be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It not solely reduces seen redness but additionally helps help the pores and skin’s pure therapeutic course of.

Intentional Hydration

One of many greatest classes Korean magnificence teaches us is that dehydration can worsen pimples. This may appear counterintuitive, particularly for shiny, breakout-prone pores and skin, however when pores and skin is stripped, it could result in a cycle of congestion and breakouts. That’s why I flip to light-weight hydrators that may be layered—I’m speaking about toners, essences, and light-weight lotions that may deliver the pores and skin barrier again to life, in order that it may be extra balanced and maintain pimples at bay.