OUT, DARN SPOT

Treating adult acne can be a tricky business, as adult skin tends to be drier, slower to heal and more prone to scarring compared to teenage skin. Dr Adam Geyer, Kiehl’s consulting dermatologist, says: “An ideal treatment should have preventative and targeted effects, be gentle on the skin without risk of [causing] excessive redness or irritation, and address the discoloration left behind by acne.” To meet these needs, Kiehl’s came up with two zit-ghters: the Breakout Control Targeted Blemish Spot Treatment ($52) for the occasional isolated pimple, and the Breakout Control Blemish Treatment Facial Lotion ($80) for more severe or persistent patches of acne. The former has sulphur, an antibacterial ingredient that helps to speed up healing, and vitamin B3 to curb inammation and strengthen the skin barrier. The latter, to be used after toning and before a serum or moisturiser, is a fast-absorbing light cream with salicylic and lipo hydroxy acids to prevent the build-up of dead skin while smoothing and evening out acne marks.