Ultimate Guide: The Best Facial Treatments for Acne-Prone Skin

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For many of us, acne can be just as paralysing as stage fright or as emotional as a relationship breakup. Sure, it may sound more dramatic than it really is (and honestly, we wish it was just that!), but it’s actually more accurate than we dare to admit.

Living with acne causes so much more than unsightly bumps on the skin or leftover scarring from an acne breakout. It goes well beyond the surface and affects your self-esteem and confidence, leaving many of us self-conscious, ashamed, and anxious. Hands up if you can relate!

Luckily for us, skin experts and dermatologists have come up with effective ways to address this skin problem. Apart from daily skincare products, getting a professional facial regularly can help treat acne, sometimes even better and faster. At the very least, it’s worth adding to your beauty routine for a more holistic approach to your problem.

In this article, we help you zero in on the best facial treatments for acne. We’ve got a lot to unpack so prepare the popcorn!

What Causes Acne?

Before we get to the solution, it pays to know what causes the problem in the first place. Acne, in particular, is a pretty complex one to solve, which is why it requires careful treatment – but more on that later. Here are some basic facts about acne that you need to keep in mind!

Acne starts in our pores.

Our bodies naturally contain thousands of pores, whether we see them or not. Each pore serves as an opening to two vital things – a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland. Now, before you get lost in all the scientific terms, don’t worry, we’re here to simplify it for you!

In a perfect world, our sebaceous glands (also called oil glands) regularly produce oil to keep our skin moisturised, as well as provide protection from bacteria and other microorganisms. The oil also travels through the hair follicle to remove any dead skin cells that remain in our different skin layers. Basically put, our pores help keep our skin healthy. So while we often complain about large pores or wishing we had less of them, think again – we have them for a reason!

All that said, you’re probably wondering – what’s the connection between acne and our pores? Unfortunately for many of us, we don’t live in a perfect world, nor do we have perfect skin. Hence, when our pores become clogged with too much oil or dead skin, acne happens!

And that leads us to a more important question: How do they clog up our pores in the first place?

Acne is caused by several factors.

While this may not solve your problem completely, knowing this fact can help you adjust your lifestyle or skin care routine to avoid these triggers.

Clogged pores, and consequently acne, is caused by several factors:

  • Excessive oil production

As we’ve already established, naturally-occurring oil in our skin is good! That is, until there is too much of it. Excessive production of oil is usually triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or genetics, so keep that in mind whenever you’re feeling oilier than usual! If left on their own, they eventually fill up our pores and encourage the growth of acne. Since the face, neck, chest and back contain the most oil glands, these areas are where acne most commonly appears.

  • Bacteria

Much like oil, our bodies are filled with trillions of bacteria, just as much as our human cells according to scientists. And contrary to the misconception that bacteria is bad, these microorganisms actually play a crucial part in our body’s natural functions.

A certain bacteria, Propionibacterium acne or P. acnes for short, is present in the base of our hair follicles. Its purpose is to feed off of sebum and dead skin cells, breaking them down and regulating our skin’s health to some degree.

However, once there is an excess in oil production, there is an increase in P. acnes as well. This can irritate our surrounding skin tissues, resulting in a natural immune system response: Inflammation.

  • Inflammation

When our skin is inflamed – whatever the cause may be – an obvious tell-tale sign is the presence of red, raised rashes, much like blisters or inflamed acne. Other than its unsightly appearance, they also come with uncomfortable sensations like pain, itching, burning, or stinging. In some cases, inflammation can even worsen acne breakouts that have yet to heal.

Now, if you have acne-prone skin, chances are all these disasters are happening simultaneously within your skin, ending up in congested pores with too much oil, dead skin, and acne bacteria. Just imagine a traffic jam on the freeway – nothing good can come out of it, and in this case, it’s an acne breakout!

Acne appears in several forms.

Acne vulgaris is the medical term for what we commonly refer to as acne. What many of us don’t know is that this chronic skin condition actually manifests in our skin in different ways – so much more than the typical red, raised pimples we often associate with acne.

According to skin experts, there are generally 5 types of acne:

  • Whiteheads and blackheads, the most common types of acne and named after how they appear on the skin. Whiteheads are a result of bacteria stuck on our hair follicles, while blackheads are caused by sebum in our pores, which turn black when exposed to air.
  • Papules are small, inflamed bumps caused by oil and bacteria in our pores.
  • Pustules are inflamed like papules, except they are filled with yellow or white pus.
  • Nodules are often categorised as severe acne. They are large and inflamed bumps that develop in deeper layers of the skin, causing more pain and discomfort than other types of acne.
  • Cysts or cystic lesions are sometimes mistaken as boils due to their appearance. They are large, inflamed, and filled with pus. Like nodules, they are considered a severe form of acne.

So, now that you’re up to speed on all the important Acne 101 facts, let’s get to the fun part: How facials can help with treating acne!

Do Facials Help Acne?

Long answer short – yes! Getting a facial can do wonders for acne-prone skin.

It’s pretty evident by now that acne is a complex skin condition. For that reason, there is no one-solution-fits-all when it comes to preventing it, more so, curing it. While there are tons of skincare products in the market that are effective at addressing acne, a professional facial treatment works to provide all the benefits in a single session.

Facials are a customised combination of skincare steps, ingredients and technology that are meant to complement each other to produce the best results for different skin types and concerns.

For acne, in particular, facials can range from basic cleansing and extractions to more advanced treatments like chemical peels and microneedling. Whatever the case may be, they all offer a range of benefits to address common symptoms of acne and prevent further breakouts.

Benefits of an Acne Facial

  • Deeply cleanses dirt, oil, and other impurities in the skin
  • Unclogs pores by gently exfoliating and removing old skin cells
  • Kills acne-causing bacteria
  • Reduces irritation and inflammation in the skin
  • Regulates the skin’s oil production
  • Hydrates the skin and retains the optimal level of moisture
  • Smoothes out acne scars

What is the Best Facial for Acne?

Like all beauty treatments, facials offer different results for different people, hence the wide variety of anti-acne facials to choose from. While they are all effective in improving the tone, texture, and overall health of acne-prone skin, achieving the best results will ultimately depend on your specific skin condition and the solution that best suits it.

First and foremost, choosing the best type of facial to get for your acne should consider the following:

  • The severity of your acne. Are you dealing with mild acne or a more severe, recurring case?
  • The stage of your acne. Are you dealing with active acne or leftover acne scars?
  • Your skin type. Do you have sensitive skin, oily skin, or dry skin?
  • Other underlying health conditions. Have you gone through hormonal changes that may have caused your acne?

These are just some of the questions that must be taken into account when deciding the suitable facial for you – which is why it is important to ONLY seek expert advice from the professionals. They are best equipped to analyse your skin and create a treatment plan from there. That said, our skin experts at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty typically recommend the following facial treatments depending on your specific skin condition:

Best Facial For Active Acne: Facial Extractions

  • How It Works: Clears up congestion in clogged pores using a facial extraction tool, usually done on whiteheads and blackheads.
  • Benefits:
    • Deep cleansing of pores, leading to less congestion and acne breakouts
    • Clearer skin complexion
    • Smoother skin texture
  • Side Effects: Zero to minimal pain during the treatment.
  • Downtime: No recovery period after treatment.
  • Our treatment at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty: Book our Deep Cleansing Enzyme Facial

Our Deep Cleansing Enzyme Facial is perfect for mild cases of acne, especially among those with sensitive skin. It is a gentle yet effective facial treatment that involves pure enzyme ingredients to exfoliate dead skin and reveal fresh, brighter, smoother skin. If you’re dealing with a mild acne breakout, we’ll perform extractions on unwanted pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Trust us when we say, satisfaction guaranteed!

Book a Deep Cleansing Enzyme Facial!

Best Facial for Mild to Severe Acne: Chemical Peels

  • How It Works: A customised solution of acids is applied throughout the face, penetrating skin layers for deep exfoliation and cleansing. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid are some of the most common acids used, either used individually or in combination depending on your acne condition.
  • Benefits:
  • Cleanses and detoxifies deeper skin layers, which helps get rid of active acne and also prevents future breakouts
    • The physical peeling process exfoliates old skin cells and gives way to new, fresh, healthier skin
    • Improves acne scars
    • Smoothes skin texture
    • Lightens dark spots
  • Side Effects: Minimal sensitivity, stinging, and discomfort but they should subside within a few hours to a couple of days, depending on what type of chemical peel you get.
  • Downtime: Old skin will peel off for the next few days to a few weeks, so it is best to have a gentle skincare routine and avoid too much sun exposure. Again, the downtime period will depend on the type of peel.
  • Our treatment at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty: Book our O Cosmedics Peels

Our O Cosmedic Peels come in various ingredients and combinations of acids. Depending on how mild or severe your acne is, our skin therapists will recommend the suitable type to give you the best results. Either way, you can look forward to fresh, smoother, brighter, and healthier skin once the benefits fully kick in!

Book a Chemical Peel!

Best Facial for Sensitive Acne-Prone Skin: LED Therapy

  • How It Works: The face is exposed to a device that emits different colours and wavelengths of light that penetrates the skin at varying levels. Each setting triggers certain biological processes within the skin, offering unique benefits and end results. Light therapies usually offer various settings, either focusing on just one or combining several in a routine:
    • Red light for skin ageing
    • Blue light for acne
    • Green light for hyperpigmentation
    • Purple light for cellular damage
    • Cyan light for irritation
    • Yellow light for facial redness
    • Orange light for dull complexion
    • Infrared light for holistic healing
  • Benefits:
    • Kills acne-causing bacteria and prevents acne breakouts
    • Heals skin texture problems like scars and acne marks
    • Lightens hyperpigmentation like dark spots, age spots, sun spots, and melasma
    • Brightens overall complexion and promotes overall skin health
    • Reduces symptoms of other common skin concerns like rosacea, fine lines, wrinkles
  • Side Effects: Absolutely no pain or discomfort.
  • Downtime: No recovery period after treatment.
  • Our treatment at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty: Book our LED Light Therapy Facial

Our LED Light Therapy Facial is a safe, pain-free, non-invasive way to address various skin concerns beyond the surface. Its innovative technology allows the lightwaves to penetrate deeper skin layers without fear of pain, discomfort, or sensitivities, making it an ideal option for all skin types and ages. It simply (and amazingly!) stimulates certain cellular functions that correct symptoms of acne, skin ageing, discoloration, rough texture, and other common issues. Sounds complicated? That’s okay, just close your eyes and we’ll do the rest!

Book an LED Light Therapy Facial!

Best Facial for Acne Scars: Lymphatic Facials

  • How It Works: A facial routine that involves a lymphatic therapy mask and massage, packed with safe and healthy herbal ingredients like Davidson Plum Extract, Finger Lime Caviar, Niacinamide, and Aloe Vera, each feeding the skin with their own benefits
  • Benefits:
    • Detoxifies and decongests the skin, particularly blockages in the lymphatic system that cause acne, bloating, and other skin issues
    • Brightens dull complexion
    • Deeply hydrates the skin
    • Softens and smoothes dry patches and other skin texture problems
    • Anti-aging benefits like tightening, plumping, and minimising fine lines and wrinkles
  • Side Effects: Absolutely no pain or discomfort.
  • Downtime: No recovery period after treatment.
  • Our treatment at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty: Book our PRIN Lymphatic Facials

Our PRIN Lymphatic Facials come in three levels, depending on how extensive you want the treatment to be. Whatever the case may be, they all incorporate a skincare routine that aims to reset our lymphatic system, which is unknowingly responsible for many skin issues. Doing so helps improve blood circulation, reduce facial puffiness, brighten complexion, and detox and lessen acne breakouts. Once the session is over, you’ll feel the effects of clean, smooth, and clear skin. Goodbye gunk, hello gorgeous!

Book a PRIN Intro Lymphatic Therapy Facial!

Book a PRIN Pro Lymphatic Therapy Facial!

Best Facial for Deeper Acne Scars: Microneedling

  • How It Works: The skin is subjected to quick needle pricks that temporarily injure the surface and consequently stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that are crucial in our skin’s shape and texture.
  • Benefits:
    • Produces collagen and skin tissue to correct depressed acne scars
    • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
    • Improves skin blemishes like discolouration, dark spots, and uneven skin tone
    • Also beneficial for other parts of the body in need of collagen, like stretch marks in the arms, stomach, and thighs
  • Side Effects: Minimal pain and discomfort, which usually subsides in the next 2 to 3 days
  • Downtime: You may experience temporary peeling, flaking, swelling, and redness while your skin heals. However, this should not affect your day-to-day activities, other than limiting sun exposure, excessive sweating, and makeup for the next few days.
  • Our treatment at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty: Book our Microneedling with Dermapen4™

Our Dermapen4™ Microneedling treatment is a must-try for all deep skin texture issues like acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Alongside its impressive ability to stimulate collagen production, it also addresses acne-causing bacteria that causes inflammation and acne breakouts, effectively improving the skin in more ways than one! Better skin tone and texture are just a few of the many wonderful results you can look forward to!

Book a Microneedling Facial!

Copyright: Laura Loukola

Best Facial for Whiteheads and Blackheads: Classic Facial

  • How It Works: Cleansing, exfoliation, steaming, an intensive face mask and a gentle facial massage are combined in one relaxing skincare routine to deliver a variety of benefits for the skin.
  • Benefits:
    • Cleanses and steams to unclog pores from oil and other junk
    • Gently exfoliates the topmost layer to reveal new, fresh, and healthy skin
    • Hydrates and softens the skin
    • Provides an overall relaxing experience for the skin, body, and mind
  • Side Effects: Absolutely no pain or discomfort.
  • Downtime: No recovery period after treatment.
  • Our treatment at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty: Book our Janesce Holistic Facials

Our Janesce Holistic Facials highlight all the essentials of a comprehensive skincare routine: Cleanse, steam, exfoliate, mask, and massage – all infused with skin-friendly ingredients like organic botanicals, nourishing plant extracts, and aromatic oil. Together, they provide many benefits for the skin, while promising relaxation for the mind and body.

Depending on your skin concern and how extensive you want your facial to be, you can choose among 3 types, each varying in skincare steps and length of treatment. Either way, you’re in for an absolute treat!

Book a Janesce Petite Facial!

Book a Janesce Spa Facial!

Book a Janesce Indulgent Facial!

The Best Acne Facials in Christchurch

When you’re ready to bid bye-bye to your acne problems, head on over to Lovoir Skin Beauty & Beauty and choose among our wide range of facial treatments. For starters, book a skin consultation with our aestheticians, wherein we’ll perform a comprehensive analysis of your skin and recommend the best facial treatment for your acne.

If you want to learn more about our facials, you can browse our skin therapy facials for different options for specific skin concerns.

We also have a Teeth Whitening treatment as another way to brighten up your look instantly! It promises whiter teeth after just one session.

Check out all our day spa treatments here and give us a call for any questions you may have. We’ll be sure to recommend the best plan for your beauty goals! We look forward to seeing you soon! 

Book a skin consultation today!

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