I like to think that my teenage years weren't that long ago but sometimes it feels like a distant memory, one thing I definitely don't forget is having teenage breakouts. I never really had acne but certainly had the odd breakout, this really affected my self-esteem and confidence, I started researching skincare products to use for blemish prone skin and to be honest it's probably where my love for skincare began.

I am lucky enough now that as part of my job I get to trial a lot of different products, even now that I am in my mid-twenties I still suffer from the odd breakout and I finally feel like now I have found the products that have helped to keep my blemishes at bay.

As well as product I have has also incorporated different techniques into my routine, here are my top tips for keeping blemishes at bay...
Cleanse:

When you have breakouts it's really important to start your routine off with a cleanser that contains ingredients that will help to control breakouts but at the same time one that doesn't strip the skin.

Product Recommendation: *Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Foaming Cleanser.

As soon as I get a breakout I reach for this cleanser, it contains Salicylic and Mandelic Acids which go deep down into pores and cleans them out. This product is a foaming cleanser but has never dried my skin out or made it feel stripped, It really helps to keep my oil production and blemishes at bay.

Mask:

 Adding a mask into my routine has been really beneficial for my skin, especially when I am extra spotty. I like to look for a mask with anti-blemish and anti-bacterial properties that will help to keep my skin clear, using a mask a couple of times a week will also help the products you use absorb better.

Product Recommendation: *La Clinica Clear Skin Anti-Blemish Scrub and Mask.

This mask is great because you can either use it like a scrub and rinse off or leave it on like a mask for ten minutes, this means no matter how much time you have you can get results. The product itself contains a Clear Active Complex™ which helps to add hydration, reduce pore size and reduces the appearance of post-blemish pigmentation, White Brilliant Complex™ contains ingredients that help to stop the over production of pigmentation, Allantoin moisturises the skin and promotes dead skin cell removal, Pure Essential Oils Lemon Scented Myrtle and Tea Tree contain antiseptic and anti-infectious properties and an Enhanced Penetration Technology helps to enhance the permeation of ingredients.

I love that this product is a multi-use product, I use it like a scrub in the morning for a quick treatment and once or twice a week when I have time as a mask. It has really helped to keep my pores clean and has refined the texture of my skin.
Serum / Treatment:

I naturally use a serum morning and night under my moisturiser, when I am particularly spotty I look for a serum that contains blemish fighting ingredients.

Product Recommendation: *La Clinica Clear Skin Intensive Spot Serum.

I like to use this serum either all over my skin if I am particularly spotty or as a spot treatment if I just have a couple of breakouts on the go. It contains ingredients that fight blemishes and target any discolouration that is associated with breakouts.

Moisturise:

I know that when you have oily skin you might think that you don't need a moisturiser, I definitely made this mistake growing up but the truth of the matter is when you moisturise your skin it helps to keep it balanced, look for a lightweight lotion with blemish fighting ingredients.

*Product Recommendation: Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Treatment Lotion.

I love using this as the last stage of my skincare routine as it's really lightweight on the skin and absorbs instantly, Similar to the above mentioned cleanser from Ultraceuticals it contains Salicylic and Mandelic Acid which helps to control current breakouts and stop future ones from appearing.
Click Here To Purchase.

Spot Treat:

 As you have probably gathered by know I like to use skincare all over to treat my breakouts but If I have a particularly bad spot (or two) I like to use a specialised spot treatment.

Product Recommendation: Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel.

 Whenever I can see or feel a spot coming up I instantly reach for this product, it's really great at reducing the spot and preventing future blemishes from forming.
Click Here To Purchase.

Simon x

*The products mentioned in this post marked with an asterisk have been given to me by the brand /PR, As always the review is 100% my honest opinion on the products. Every single product that I mention on the site has been personally tested by me and these are my genuine thoughts on the product.