You might have thought acne would only exist in your teenage years, but the reality is that it can happen at any age. Dealing with acne can be a painful & stressful experience. To manage acne-prone skin it is important to follow a skincare routine consistently & make some lifestyle changes because acne is a chronic condition that fluctuates constantly.So, join us as we decode the basics of acne & curate an anti-acne skincare routine WHAT IS ACNE & WHY DOES IT HAPPEN? Your skin produces sebum to protect your skin. When your skin generates excess sebum, it clogs your pores causing inflammation which develops into an acne or pimple. Various lifestyle habits & environmental factors can lead to acne. Hormonal imbalance & Stress are the most common causes of acne. This is why during puberty, menstruation, or pregnancy it is common to experience it. Certain foods that are high in sugar and dairy can trigger acne breakouts for some people. Some medications, like birth control pills, may have acne as a side effect. Moreover, cosmetics can trigger acne breakouts, particularly oil-based or comedogenic makeup and skincare products. LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO GO ACNE-FREE Start with a healthy diet packed with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein. Skip processed foods and sugary drinks, and don't forget to drink plenty of water to flush out those pore-cloggers. Getting enough sleep is key too, since lack of sleep can mess with hormones and make acne worse. Next, develop a gentle skincare routine. Look for "non-comedogenic" products that won't clog your pores, and ditch the harsh scrubbing that can irritate your skin. Finally, don't forget your daily sunscreen! Sun damage can worsen acne scars and inflammation, so protect that precious skin! ANTI-ACNE SKINCARE ROUTINE CHECKLIST Curating an anti-acne skincare routine can be a tiresome process with trial & error of too many products available in the market. When looking for products to treat acne, it is important to consider the following ingredients and properties in them. Non-Comedogenic: Always opt for non-comedogenic products, to avoid clogging pores and acne breakouts. Oil-Controlling: It helps prevent excess production of oil/sebum to avoid the further formation of acne. Anti-Microbial: Acne leads to redness, swelling, and inflammation. This formula helps to soothe it. Salicylic Acid: Helps to improve the appearance of acne & acne scars and it evens out the skin tone. Azelaic Acid: When treating acne, it is important to avoid future breakouts. Azelaic Acid helps in that & it also refines the skin’s texture THE HYPHENATED SOLUTION: POWERED BY NATURE & SCIENCE At Hyphen, we believe in combining the power of nature & science to curate skincare essentials to promote improved skin health. Our Anti-Acne Range sticks to our core values to provide you a complete solution for treating acne & managing acne-prone skin. The Range consists of a face cleanser, face serum, & a spot corrector. Here’s how each one of them will help you: Clarifying Acne Cleanser effectively cleanses pores, controls oil production, and fights bacteria without drying out the skin. It is curated with Salicylic Acid 2% & Witch Hazel 10% to remove excess oil & impurities from the skin and improve the appearance of acne & acne scars. Zinc PCA & Biosaccharides 1% in the cleanser provide long-lasting hydration and protect the skin barrier. Know more about it here. Acne Defence Daily Serum targets active acne breakouts and helps prevent future ones. It is a lightweight, fragrance-free serum powered with Azelaic Acid 10% & Niacinamide 4% that controls oil production, refines skin’s texture, and prevents further breakouts. It has Salicylic Acid 2% that reduces the appearance of acne and acne scars while soothing the redness, swelling, and inflammation with Tea Tree Extract. Know more about it here. Acne Fix Spot Corrector tackles stubborn pimples and blemishes. It has a slight green tint to conceal the redness of acne marks. With Salicylic acid 1% & Azelaic acid 10% reduces inflammation and hyperpigmentation. Tea Tree Oil removes dead skin cells, allowing for better penetration of the product and Ginger Extract soothes irritation and fades away the dark spots. Know more about it here. Dealing with acne can take a toll on you, however, it is important to consistently follow your skincare routine to heal the current breakouts & prevent future formation. Having a good lifestyle can accelerate your acne healing and promote better skin health. So, transform your skincare routine to treat your acne & get clear hyphenated healthy skin!