Shop SKOON. Skin Care Products for Acne & Breakouts in South Africa

To guide you toward clearer skin, we've structured this simple yet powerful skincare routine using our most effective breakout and acne products to reduce excess oil and promote healthy cell turnover. This regimen serves as an ideal starting point. For truly bespoke solutions, utilize our Skin Care Quiz to receive a personalized SKOON. skin care routine that addresses precise breakouts and needs for your skin type.

AM Cleanse

• WHITEWASH Purifying Clay Cleanser: Gently removes excess oil and impurities without stripping the barrier.

AM Serum

• B3 BARRIER REPAIR NanoPillow Serum: Provides barrier support with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to reduce redness, minimise inflammation, and strengthen the skin's defence against environmental stressors.

PM Cleanse

• OH SO BUBBLY Soothing Cloud Cleanser: Starts the double cleanse process, effectively lifting surface impurities, makeup, and excess oil.
• WHITEWASH Purifying Clay Cleanser: Ensures skin is clean and prepped for nighttime actives.

PM Treatment

• RETININ® NIGHT Intensive 0.1% Retinal Firming Treatment: Accelerates cell turnover, helping to clear clogged pores and reduce the appearance of acne scars over time.
• B3 BARRIER REPAIR NanoPillow Serum: Strengthens the skin barrier and minimises redness, providing essential support against potential skin irritation from the Retinal.

AM | PM Treatment: Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Safe Option

• BAKU-GLOW Gentle 1% Bakuchiol Resurfacing Cream: Offers gentle cell turnover benefits, smoothing skin texture without the use of Retinoids.

Beyond your daily cleanse and treat steps, incorporating these powerful targeted boosters into your weekly and as-needed routine will accelerate results and provide concentrated relief for active breakouts.

For Weekly Exfoliation

• OH SHERBET! Azelaic Acid 10% Exfoliating Clay Mask: Uses Azelaic Acid to significantly reduce inflammation and shed dead skin cells.
• FRUITFUL RADIANCE Renewal Night Liquid Exfoliant: Provides powerful AHA/BHA exfoliation to actively clear clogged pores and smooth skin texture.

As Needed

• SPOTLESS Blemish Spot Treatment: Provides a concentrated treatment to quickly target and calm active pimples.

Need extra guidance for persistent acne? Book a free Skin Consultation with our in-house Somatologist to determine the right treatment for you.

Skin breakouts (often referred to as acne) are a common concern that occurs when pores become clogged, leading to visible blemishes and skin congestion.

The primary root causes that lead to the formation of acne pimples are:

• Pore Blockage: Pimples and blemishes form as a result of blockages in the skin's pores. This occurs due to excessive secretion (sebum) from the sebaceous glands, combined with an accumulation of dead skin cells that clog pores. This buildup creates the ideal environment for oily skin.
• Bacterial Proliferation: This clogged combination encourages skin bacterium, known as P. acnes (acne-causing bacteria), to multiply and increase inflammation under the skin's surface inside the pores.
• Lesion Formation: The combination of dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria contributes to the breakdown of the walls of the hair follicle, leading to a classic acne lesion.

Beyond fundamental biological processes, several external and systemic factors can trigger or worsen acne:

• Hormonal Changes: This is the main trigger for acne breakouts. Fluctuations during puberty, menstrual cycles, or conditions like PCOS are major risk factors that cause hormonal acne.
• Stress: High stress levels can increase the production of androgen hormones, which stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil.
• Diet: While scientific evidence is mixed, high-glycemic foods and dairy products are often cited as potential triggers that can accelerate inflammation.
• Medication: Certain drugs, like corticosteroids, can be known to cause or aggravate existing acne.
• Dehydration: Lack of skin hydration can compromise the skin barrier and interfere with healthy cell turnover.

Knowing these risk factors is the first step toward effective acne treatment. To further understand the causes of acne and how different types are characterised, read our Ultimate Guide on Acne Types, Causes & Treatment.

Shop SKOON.’s range of breakout products, designed to balance sebum production and target acne-causing bacteria.

The most effective acne treatment for acne-prone skin involves a consistent skincare routine using active ingredients designed to manage the causes of acne.

For mild to moderate acne, over-the-counter ingredients like salicylic acid (an acid that helps to exfoliate and prevent clogged pores) and azelaic acid (which helps reduce inflammation and lighten dark spots or skin discoloration left behind by blemishes) can help.

However, SKOON. offers a range of products that address new breakouts directly and promote healthy skin over the long term:

Cleansers & Masks (Pore Control & Oil Reduction)

Focus: Removing excess oil, shedding dead skin cells, and fighting acne-causing bacteria.

Products include:

• OH SHERBET! Azelaic Acid 10% Exfoliating Clay Mask: Multi-tasks to reduce inflammation and exfoliate.
• WHITEWASH Purifying Clay Cleanser: Combines clay with Azelaic Acid for deep pore cleansing.

Targeted Treatments (Cell Turnover & Pore Function)

Focus: Accelerating cell turnover, improving pore function, and treating persistent blemishes.

Products include:

• FRUITFUL RADIANCE Renewal Night Liquid Exfoliant: Contains AHAs/BHAs to clear pores and refine skin texture.
• RETININ® NIGHT Intensive 0.1% RetinAL Firming Treatment: Accelerates skin cell renewal, essential for clearing pores and reducing acne scars.
• BAKU-GLOW Gentle 1% Bakuchiol Resurfacing Cream: Offers retinoid-like benefits by promoting cell turnover and smoothing skin texture with a gentler approach, ideal for sensitive skin.

Blemish Control (Spot Application)

Focus: Quickly reducing inflammation and the size of active pimples.

Product includes:

• SPOTLESS Blemish Spot Treatment: A targeted formula designed for overnight application to reduce active breakouts.
• LADY MACGYVER Invisible Pimple Patches: Hydrocolloid patches that absorb excess fluid from whiteheads and help flatten active blemishes.

Hydration & Barrier Support (Anti-Inflammatory)

Focus: Maintaining a healthy barrier and controlling shine, which is vital since treatments can cause dry skin. 

Products include:

• B3 BARRIER REPAIR NanoPillow Serum: Utilises Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and minimise redness associated with active breakouts.
• GINGER LILY Oil Control Face Gel-Cream: Provides essential moisture while regulating sebum production.
• HAPPY FLORA Microbiome Balancing Face Cream: Supports skin health and is great for sensitive skin.

Acne breakouts on the face share the same root cause as breakouts elsewhere - clogged pores resulting from excess oil and dead skin cells. However, certain habits and factors localised to the face can make acne worse:

• Friction and Pressure: Frequently touching your face, resting your chin in your hands, or pressing your cell phone against your cheek can spread acne-causing bacteria.
• Improper Cleansing: Not washing your face regularly with warm water or using occlusive or heavy cosmetic products can accelerate the blockage of hair follicles.
• Irritation: Aggressive scrubbing or popping pimples can introduce more bacteria and increase skin irritation, leading to more persistent dark patches or acne scars. 

Prevent clogged pores and manage oil with the WHITEWASH Purifying Clay Cleanser, designed for daily gentle cleansing.

Blackheads are a form of acne that occurs when clogged pores - a mix of excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells - oxidize upon contact with air, turning dark. This is particularly common in people with oily skin.

Recommended Topical Ingredients & SKOON. Solutions

The safest and most effective way to remove blackheads is through daily application of active ingredients that penetrate the pore:

• Salicylic Acid (BHA): This is the gold standard for blackhead removal because it is oil-soluble. It penetrates deep into the pore lining, dissolving the trapped sebum and dead skin cells from the inside out.
• SKOON. Product: B3 BARRIER REPAIR NanoPillow Serum (Provides Niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier and minimise redness).
• Azelaic Acid: Helps to clear clogged pores and is particularly effective at reducing inflammation associated with blemishes, making it excellent for managing the blackhead environment.
• SKOON. Product: OH SHERBET! Azelaic Acid 10% Exfoliating Clay Mask (Targets inflammation and provides clarifying exfoliation).
• Retinoids (Vitamin A): Derivatives like RetinAL accelerate cell turnover. This process helps to push the contents of the clogged pore to the surface and prevents new plugs from forming.
• SKOON. Product: RETININ® NIGHT Intensive 0.1% RetinAL Firming Treatment (Our potent RetinAL solution).
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Acids like Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid exfoliate the surface (top layer) of the skin, helping to shed the dead skin cells that contribute to the initial blockage.
• SKOON. Product: FRUITFUL RADIANCE Renewal Night Liquid Exfoliant (Provides powerful AHA/BHA chemical exfoliation to renew the skin).

What to Avoid

To prevent scarring and worsening the breakout condition, avoid these actions:

• Picking or Squeezing: This can push the blockage deeper, cause inflammation, and lead to permanent acne scars or skin discoloration.
• Harsh Physical Scrubs: These can cause micro-tears and irritation. Ensure you remove all makeup and dirt gently with a proper acne face wash.
• Pore Strips: While satisfying, they only remove the very top layer of the plug and can damage surrounding skin.

Learn more about why you get blackheads on your face in our Ultimate Guide on Acne Types, Causes & Treatment, and find the next steps towards treating your symptoms. SKOON.’s range of breakout products provides a gentle, effective solution for blackhead treatment.

It might seem counterintuitive, but skin breakouts can often get worse in the colder months. When the air is drier, your skin can lose moisture (dry skin), which triggers a chain reaction:

• Barrier Damage: The top layers of your skin become compromised.
• Overcompensation: The oil glands (or sebaceous glands) may overreact to the dryness, leading to an increase in sebum production (excess oil).
• Blockage: This thick, sticky, oily substance mixed with dead skin cells quickly causes clogged pores and fresh acne breakouts.

The best defence for acne-prone skin in winter is to balance clarifying treatments with deep hydration to support your skin barrier. Try SKOON.’s SPOTLESS Blemish Spot Treatment for targeted care, without drying out your skin, or our range of products formulated specifically for breakouts.