Acne skincare routine

Mornings are usually the shortest part: a gentle cleanser or a water rinse, an optional supportive serum such as niacinamide, a non-comedogenic moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen. Sunscreen is not optional here, because most acne actives increase sun sensitivity and UV deepens post-acne marks.

Evenings carry the treatment step: cleanse (double cleansing if you have worn sunscreen or makeup), apply one active — a retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or azelaic acid — then moisturise. Start two or three nights a week and build up; layering several strong actives at once is the most common cause of an irritated, worse-looking result.

Give any routine at least eight to twelve weeks before judging it, and change one variable at a time. Purging and true irritation are not the same thing. If breakouts are deep, painful or scarring, or nothing improves, see a dermatologist. Retinoids are not used in pregnancy.