Acne 101: Your Complete Guide to Clearer Skin with SKN

Your journey starts here—and we’re with you every step of the way.

Welcome to SKN’s Acne 101.

Whether you’ve just had your first acne consultation or you’ve been coming to SKN for months, we are so proud of you for taking steps toward clearer, healthier skin. At SKN Med Spa, we believe that real results come from more than just treatments – they come from education, consistency, and a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle.

This page is your one-stop shop for all things acne-related:

✨ What to avoid

✨ What to focus on

✨ What to book next

✨ And all the little habits that make a big difference

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Products & Ingredients to Avoid

Even the most expensive products can contain hidden pore-cloggers. From primers to shampoos, ingredients like isopropyl myristate, coconut oil, and lanolin can quietly sabotage your progress.

That’s why we recommend reviewing every product you use—from skincare to haircare to lip balm—and bringing them to your next appointment if you’re unsure.

[Download the Pore-Clogging Ingredients Guide (PDF)]

Our Top Acne-Safe Skincare Products

Curated from brands we trust: Glymed Plus, Skinbetter Science, Hydrinity, and Colorescience.

Every product we recommend is non-comedogenic, clinically backed, and safe for acne-prone skin—whether you’re in the middle of a breakout or post-treatment healing.

Cleansers

• Skinbetter – Cleansing Gel A daily-use, pH-balanced gel cleanser that purifies without stripping.

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Serums & Actives

• Hydrinity – Hyacyn Active Purifying Mist Antimicrobial hypochlorous acid spray that reduces bacteria and inflammation. Perfect post-treatment and for daily healing.
• Glymed Plus – Fulvic Elixir A powerful antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory serum that detoxifies the skin, reduces redness, and supports barrier repair. Excellent for inflamed, sensitized, or acne‑prone skin.
• Skinbetter – Alpharet Clearing Serum Combines a retinoid and alpha hydroxy acid for exfoliation, oil control, and acne reduction—all in one step, with minimal irritation.

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✨ Hydration & Moisturizers

• Skinbetter Science – Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment A lightweight but deeply nourishing moisturizer that restores barrier function while remaining acne‑safe.
• Glymed Plus – Comfort Cream A calming, reparative moisturizer designed for sensitized or inflamed skin—perfect post‑peel or during active acne treatment phases.
• Glymed Plus – Oxygen Cream An oxygenating moisturizer that supports cellular renewal, reduces congestion, and helps acne‑prone skin heal more efficiently.

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Sunscreen

• Colorescience – Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 100% mineral, non-comedogenic sunscreen with multiple finishes:
  • Classic for universal wear
  • Matte for oil-control
  • Flex for tone-adapting coverage
  • Glow for a radiant finish
• Colorescience – Brush-On Shield SPF 50 Powder SPF that makes reapplication easy—especially over makeup or post-facial.

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Food, Supplements & Gut Health

What you put in your body matters just as much as what you put on it.

Some foods and supplements are known to trigger inflammation and worsen breakouts, including:

• Dairy
• Whey protein
• Seaweed
• Certain biotin-based hair/skin vitamins

Others, like zinc, omega-3s, and high-quality probiotics, can support skin healing from the inside out.

[Download the Food & Supplements for Acne Guide (PDF)]

This guide is a great place to start identifying internal triggers and making gut-friendly choices that support your skin long-term.

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Birth Control & Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne is complex—and not all forms of birth control help. In fact, some may make things worse.

If you’re navigating hormonal shifts, PCOS, or considering changing prescriptions, we’ve created a simplified guide to support you in making informed choices.

[Download the Birth Control & Acne Guide (PDF)]

This resource is especially helpful if you’re seeing deeper, cyclical breakouts around your jawline, chin, or cheeks.

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Lifestyle Habits That Impact Your Skin

Sometimes, the smallest changes make the biggest difference. Here are a few acne-safe habits we recommend to all our clients:

• Avoid fabric softeners + fragranced laundry detergents
• Use non-comedogenic hair products, lip balm + toothpaste
• Ice your breakouts (don’t pick!)
• Clean phone screens, glasses + hats regularly
• Change pillowcases 2–3x/week
• Stay consistent with your homecare + treatment plan

[Download the Lifestyle Tips for Acne-Prone Skin (PDF)]

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Treatments We Recommend at SKN

Clear skin doesn’t happen overnight—but with the right plan, it absolutely happens. These are the foundational treatments we often recommend:

Squeaky Clean Facial

Customized deep-cleansing treatments designed to reduce congestion, remove blackheads safely, and calm inflammation.

Bela MD for Acne

This multi-step treatment hydrates, exfoliates, and infuses the skin with targeted ingredients. Finished with blue light LED to reduce bacteria.

Chemical Peels (Acne-Safe Blends)

Salicylic, mandelic, or lactic peels help reduce active breakouts, fade pigmentation, and improve skin texture over time.

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Aftercare Between Appointments

What you do after your treatment matters just as much as what happens in the treatment room. Here’s how to care for your skin post-facial or peel:

✅ DO:

• Use gentle cleanser and barrier-safe moisturizer
• Wear mineral SPF every day
• Avoid touching, picking, or exfoliating
• Let your skin breathe—go makeup-free if you can

🚫 DON’T:

• Use actives (retinol, salicylic acid, AHAs, etc.) for 3–5 days
• Over-exercise or expose skin to heat/sauna
• Sleep on dirty pillowcases or reuse face towels
• Skip SPF—even for a short walk!

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What’s Next?

Consistency is everything. Most of our clients see the best results with:

• Monthly acne-safe treatments
• Barrier-supportive homecare
• Lifestyle and supplement awareness
• Regular check-ins to adjust the plan as skin evolves

Need to rebook your next facial or check-in?

[Click here to book your next appointment →]

Clear skin isn’t just about ingredients and facials—it’s about support. It’s about a team that gets your skin, sees the big picture, and creates a plan just for you.

We’re in this with you, and we’ll celebrate every win along the way.

You’ve got this. We’ve got you. Let’s clear your skin—together.