A shiny T-zone, clogged pores, a spot that appears exactly when it shouldn't. Blemish-prone skin doesn't mean you're doing something wrong – it is influenced by hormones, sebum and everyday life. Here we explain what happens in the skin and how a calm, consistent routine can help it feel more balanced.
Reading time approx. 6 min
Shine, enlarged pores, blackheads or spots that come and go. Sometimes dry patches at the same time.
Sebum and dead skin cells can clog the pores. That leads to blemishes – and sometimes inflammation.
Fewer, gentler products, light hydration and patience. Scrubbing harder usually makes things worse.
Every pore is the opening to a hair follicle with a sebaceous gland. Sebum is the skin's own oil and it is needed – it protects and softens. Problems start when sebum and dead skin cells get stuck in the opening of the pore.
A clogged pore can become a blackhead or whitehead. If bacteria that naturally live on the skin thrive in the blocked pore, inflammation can follow – what we see as a red spot.
How much sebum you produce is largely controlled by hormones and genetics. That is why skin can change with age, your menstrual cycle, stress or pregnancy.
Many people with blemish-prone skin try to dry it out with harsh cleansers, alcohol or frequent peels. It can feel fresh in the moment, but the skin easily becomes dehydrated and irritated.
The result is skin that feels tight yet shiny – and that reacts more. A gentle cleanser and a light moisturiser are therefore often a better start than yet another drying product.
After a spot, a red, brown or dark mark can remain for weeks or months. Usually it is not a scar but a temporary discolouration that the skin forms after inflammation.
The marks fade over time. Daily sunscreen helps stop them getting darker, and ingredients like niacinamide can contribute to a more even skin tone.
Ingredients that suit blemish-prone skin – and where to find them in our range.
Can help the skin look less shiny, give pores a more refined appearance and contribute to a more even skin tone.
Found in: Niacinamide Gel Moisturiser (5 %)Oil dissolves oil: sebum, make-up and sunscreen are lifted and rinsed away when the cleanser meets water.
Found in: Velvet Cleansing Oil-to-MilkHydrates without weighing down. Important for oily skin too, which can also lack water.
Found in: Niacinamide Gel MoisturiserA mineral UV filter that protects against both UVA and UVB and is usually well tolerated.
Found in: Luminous Defence SPF 50A few products used every day beat many products used now and then. If you have dry patches, you can apply a richer cream just there.
Massage the cleanser onto dry skin for a minute so sebum and sunscreen dissolve. Add water, let it turn milky and rinse thoroughly.
Velvet Cleansing Oil-to-MilkA gel cream hydrates without heaviness. With niacinamide in the formula, you also get an ingredient that can help with shine.
Niacinamide Gel MoisturiserSunscreen every morning helps keep post-spot marks from darkening. Mineral filters such as zinc oxide are usually well tolerated by reactive skin.
Luminous Defence SPF 50Oily skin doesn't need a moisturiser.
Oily skin can lack water too. Without hydration, skin can become tight and irritated. A light gel hydrates without feeling heavy.
The sun dries out spots.
Skin may look calmer for a while, but UV makes post-spot marks last longer. Sunscreen matters just as much for blemish-prone skin as for any other skin.
The more active products, the faster the results.
Many strong products at once can irritate the skin and weaken the barrier. Start with a simple foundation and add one thing at a time.
Oil always clogs pores.
It depends on the oil and the product. An oil cleanser that turns milky with water and is rinsed off thoroughly doesn't leave the oil on the skin. See how your own skin responds.
A simple foundation you can build on. Start with one product if you like – the gel moisturiser is a good place to begin.
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5% niacinamide in a light gel cream. Hydration without heaviness – our most relevant product for shiny, unbalanced skin.
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Dissolves sebum, make-up and sunscreen and rinses off cleanly with water.
Give it six to eight weeks. Pores and the skin's outer layer renew slowly, and it takes time to see whether the number of new blemishes goes down.
Yes. The idea that they can't be combined is an old myth based on early lab experiments. In modern formulas they work well together for most people.
Spots around the jaw and chin are common in adults and are often linked to hormonal fluctuations. Friction, for example resting your chin in your hand, can also contribute. If they come often and hurt, it is worth talking to a doctor.
Not at the moment. Such ingredients can help with more persistent blemishes, and some treatments are available at pharmacies or from a doctor. Our products are meant as a gentle foundation – if you use a treatment, ask whoever recommended it how best to combine them.
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