The anti-blemish routine from our experts

Breakouts result from excess sebum, clogged pores, and an imbalance in the skin microbiome.

Approved by dermatologists, our routine targets these causes for long-lasting clear skin.


By The Aroma-Zone editorial team

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My 4-step routine

Step 1 - Cleanse my skin

Gentle Prebiotic, Zinc & Cucumber Cleansing Gel

Its formula effectively cleanses and purifies the skin without drying it out, preserves the skin barrier, and soothes redness.

Recommended use: Apply morning and evening to damp skin on the face and neck using circular motions, then rinse with lukewarm water.

Step 2 - Identify my skin concern

10% Niacinamide, Copper & Zinc Concentrated Serum

Its formula reduces excess sebum, soothes redness, and prevents breakouts while improving the overall appearance of the skin.

Recommended use: morning and evening, on clean skin, apply a few drops to the face and neck, gently massaging to help the product absorb.

Step 3 - Moisturise my skin

Zinc Hyaluronate & Salicylic Acid Fluid Cream

A day and night cream with a velvety finish that rebalances, mattifies, and hydrates the skin while reducing blemishes.

Recommended use: Apply the cream to your face and neck morning and night after your serum.

Step 4 - My dietary supplement

Clear Skin Complex

A synergy of plants, minerals, and active ingredients. The patented SkinAx²™ Urban Detox ingredient helps reduce sebum production. Wild pansy, grape, and burdock help improve the skin’s appearance.

Recommended use: 200 mg of SkinAx²™ Urban Detox (equivalent to 2 capsules of Clear Skin Complex) per day, taken with a glass of water, as a treatment lasting at least 2 months.

Complementary steps

The weekly DIY skincare routine

Deep-cleansing black charcoal mask:

An intense purifying charcoal mask that absorbs excess sebum, captures impurities on the skin’s surface, and helps purify acne-prone skin.

The AROMA Solution

Anti-blemish essential oil roll-on :

Apply 2 to 3 times a day, directly to blemishes. To quickly clear up a pimple, don’t pop it—instead, apply this blend of essential oils with purifying and healing properties directly to the affected area.

A word from our experts

Dr. Dima HAIDAR, Dermatologist

"Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a versatile ingredient suitable for almost all skin types. It is best known for its sebum-regulating properties, but it also helps reduce redness and fade dark spots. It improves skin radiance and texture without causing irritation. For me, it’s an ideal choice for combination to oily skin or skin prone to breakouts."


Dr. Valérie ESPINASSE, Doctor of Pharmacy and graduate in micronutrition

"Acne is primarily hormonal in origin; however, it is important to support—and even stimulate—liver function. The goal is to improve the digestion of fats and sugars. It is recommended to follow a diet low in processed sugars, fried foods, and animal fats."


Advice from a naturopath

Did you know that stress can worsen breakouts?

Under the influence of anxiety and stress, cortisol levels rise. This hormone stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce sebum, clogging pores and triggering an acne breakout.

You can use the Stress & Emotions Essential Oil Roll-on : Take at least 5 deep breaths in a row and apply the oil to the inside of your wrists, at least 4 times a day, 5 days a week only. Apply additionally to the solar plexus and/or the arch of the foot, 3 to 4 times a day.


Learn more

How can you minimise scars on acne-prone skin?

Scars left by acne breakouts can be faded with targeted treatments:

If your skin is still prone to blackheads and your scars are red: apply the 10% Glycolic Acid & AHA Serum in the evening only, followed by the Organic Vitamin C & Astaxanthin Cream to maintain skin hydration.

For hyperpigmented scars, opt for the Hordatine and Licorice Extract Anti-Dark Spot Serum or the Vitamin C & Glabridin Anti-Dark Spot Oleoserum.

A Word from Dr. Reyhan Amode, Dermatologist

"If there are depressed scars, you should consult a dermatologist, especially if the acne is still active, as these so-called atrophic scars are irreversible. It’s also worth noting that some scars are preventable because they are caused by picking at the skin. In the case of visible lesions, concealer remains the best solution."

I have mature skin and breakouts—what skincare products should I use?

To care for mature skin prone to breakouts, it’s essential to adopt a balanced routine that addresses both signs of ageing and skin imperfections. The right product? The Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum. Derived from plants, the active ingredient Bakuchiol stimulates cell renewal, reduces wrinkles, slows down hyperkeratinisation in oily skin, and decreases the oxidation of sebum lipids.

If you have sensitive skin, opt for the Manuka & Postbiotics Purifying and Balancing Oleosérum, ideal for adult skin imperfections. This serum targets the causes of blemishes to prevent their appearance while offering proven effectiveness against signs of ageing: the skin appears more elastic and plump, with fine lines visibly reduced. Its complex of active ingredients promotes a rebalanced skin microbiome.

I have very oily skin—what skincare products should I use?

Breakouts and oily skin often go hand in hand. In fact, excessive sebum production creates the perfect conditions for breakouts to develop.

On clean skin, apply the 10% Azelaic Acid Concentrated Serum, which regulates sebum and purifies the skin. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and silica, it mattifies the complexion without drying it out.

If you’re looking for a mattifying effect throughout the day, you can apply the Translucent Compact Powder, a skincare-infused makeup with a non-comedogenic formula that absorbs excess sebum without drying out the skin.

How do I remove makeup from my blemish-prone skin?

To remove makeup, pollution, and impurities, one essential step: perfect makeup removal with Organic Cucumber & Hyaluronic Acid Micellar Water. Then continue with our Clear Skin routine detailed above, starting by cleansing your skin with the Gentle Prebiotic Cleansing Gel, Zinc & Cucumber.

In fact, your skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed and makeup removed without causing irritation, which would lead to excess sebum production and promote breakouts.

Anti-blemish products dry out my skin; I’m looking for a more comfortable option

In the evening, the Manuka & Postbiotics Purifying Oil Serum is ideal if you’re looking for a more enveloping and comfortable texture. Its non-comedogenic, oil-based formula is specifically designed for oily, blemish-prone skin. This treatment helps clear the skin of blackheads, whiteheads, shine, and enlarged pores. It combines purifying Manuka and Magnolia with postbiotics that rebalance the skin microbiome*. For visibly healthier skin and 50% fewer breakouts in just 1 week**.

*Proven efficacy of the postbiotic complex.

**% satisfaction rate, based on a 28-day laboratory test conducted under dermatological supervision on a panel of 30 volunteers, 15 of whom had sensitive skin.

How to prevent the post-sun rebound effect?

To prevent a flare-up of blemishes after sun exposure, apply every night Manuka & Postbiotics Purifying Oleosérum, whose active ingredient complex helps rebalance the skin microbiome while reducing breakouts by half* after just one week of use, for visibly healthier skin.

Also remember to protect your skin from the sun whenever you’re outdoors and to thoroughly remove your makeup every evening—preferably with a cleansing oil—to remove sunscreen.

*% satisfaction rate, based on a 28-day laboratory test conducted under dermatological supervision on a panel of 30 volunteers, 15 of whom had sensitive skin.

Do I need sunscreen?

Yes, when exposed to the sun and as soon as the UV index exceeds 3, apply a sunscreen with a high SPF and a non-comedogenic formula, such as our Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 (remember to reapply regularly and avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day). In addition to its risks to your skin’s health, the sun can accentuate post-acne marks—especially on darker skin tones—stimulate sebum production, and weaken the skin.

Precautions for use

For safe use

Acne is too often self-diagnosed, and its psychological and emotional impact can be significant. Not all pimples are acne; in cases of severe lesions, it is strongly recommended to consult a dermatologist qualified to make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. This advice does not constitute medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a healthcare professional. Our recommendations for combining multiple products in your routine are based on a rigorous evaluation of the composition and safety of each formula. These combinations have been carefully analysed by our toxicology experts to ensure safe and consistent use within a skincare routine. Always consult the precautions for use for each product on our website before use. Be sure to consult the precautions for use of essential oils. Essential oils are powerful products that should be used sparingly and with caution. Always follow the recommended dosages. Consult your doctor before starting a dietary supplement regimen and always follow the manufacturer’s dosage instructions and precautions. Similarly, if you are following a specific diet or have allergies, it is essential to consult your doctor or dietitian before making any changes to your diet.

Read the precautions for use for each product, available on the labels.

Bibliography

EFFECTIVENESS OF NIACINAMIDE

Numerous published studies demonstrate that a topical treatment combining sulfur and niacinamide offers rapid benefits for mild to moderate inflammatory acne, with a significant reduction in lesions and inflammation.

Sources: Dara Miller et al., Sulfur treatment with niacinamide provides fast-acting inflammatory acne benefits in subjects with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023, Vol. 89 (3). Yeşim Kaymak et al., An Investigation of the Efficacy of Topical Niacinamide for the Treatment of Mild and Moderate Acne Vulgaris, Journal of the Turkish Academy of Dermatology, 2008; 2 (4).

THE IMPACT OF SUGAR-RICH DIETS

A diet high in carbohydrates with a high glycemic index or high glycemic load (which in practice includes “sweet,” refined, or highly processed foods) is associated with an increase in the frequency and severity of acne. The proposed mechanism is that these foods cause rapid spikes in insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), stimulating sebum production, inflammation, the proliferation of sebaceous gland cells, and the formation of acne lesions.

Sources: James Meixiong et al., Diet and Acne: A Systematic Review, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2022, 29 (7): 95-112. Laetitia Penso et al., Association Between Adult Acne and Dietary Behaviors: Findings From the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort Study, JAMA Dermatol, 2020, 156(8): 854-862

THE IMPACT OF STRESS

Stress is linked to worsening acne, and several studies show that higher levels of perceived stress correspond to more severe acne lesions.

Sources: Hanyi Zhang et al., Role of stress in skin diseases: A neuroendocrine-immune interaction view, February 2024:116:286-302. Juhyuk Seung, Balancing Acne: The Review of Psychological and Physical Therapies in Stressful Environments, The National High School Journal of Science 2024, NHSJS Reports