CAN SUCCINIC ACID TONERS HELP BLEMISHES & ACNE?

More than ever before, acne has become one of the most searched for skin concerns over the past decade. Adult acne is becoming increasingly common, with those in their 30’s and over experiencing breakouts, oily skin, decongestion and painful spots, when they may not have suffered in their teens and twenties.

For me, the 36 year old editor of this post writing this article, I have suffered from breakouts since I was around 15 years old. But there have been times when I have tackled acne and blemishes, busting away the spots and oily skin saga and swapping for a clear complexion. Sometimes it has lasted a year or so, other times just a month. The trust is, blemishes and acne seem to be a firm part of my life, but I’ve learnt how to manage it, understand what the triggers are, what the causes are for me as an individual, which is very important because it’s key to know that no two people will have the exact same acne journey.

If you’re battling blemishes or acne, no matter how old you are, it’s worth having a little knowledge about some truths, triggers and treatments. It can knock your self-confidence, but hopefully with a treatment plan and some understanding, the journey won’t feel quite as scary as it could do.

What are some of the causes for acne and blemishes?

The main causes for acne include hormones, diet, stress, wrong skincare and medication. For me, mine is hormonal, I have polycystic ovaries which was a red flag for my oily skin growing up and continuous breakouts no matter what I used. However, along the way I found my acne eased with amendments to other things in my life, like diet. When i reduced dairy consumption, I found my skin cleared up. It didn’t last for much longer than 12 months, but I do remember seeing a significant improvement.

Acne myths

Many years ago, and mainly when I was a teenager growing up with acne, there were so many myths that people saw as truths. For example, acne meant you have no hygiene. You clearly never washed you face. You must have had a diet of greasy food and sugar to be so prone to ‘bad skin’. The treatment back then was skin-stripping benzol peroxide from the doctors and you were turning up for school/work with a flaky face. Fast forward to 2022 and we are so advanced with acne treatments and skincare advice, it’s like a different world. Doctors, dermatologists, skin enthusiasts and experts understand product ingredients, facials, medications, diet and lifestyle like never before.

Of course, they isn’t a one-size-fits-all instant cure. There probably never will be. But, there are so many methods you can take on your acne journey that can give you incredible results.

Acne ingredients

The first ground-breaking acne product ingredient that saw results was salicylic acid. You’ll now find it in thousands of skincare brands, especially their acne ranges. Brands like Murad, Medik8, Dermalogica, Paula’s Choice and The Ordinary have exceptional products packed with the acne fighting ingredient which works deep down into the pores, clearing them out and controlling oil. However, we are seeing new discoveries constantly, like Succinic acid, Tretinoin and Niacinimide.

I wanted to focus on Succinic acid more in this article, as I wasn’t aware of it until recent month. I discovered a Succinic Acid toner from FaceGym that first alerted me to the acid, as the product features Succinic acid to help fight acne by speeding up cell renewal and deeply exfoliating the skin. The product itself is called Skin Changer, and is aims to combine the exfoliation power of an acid toner with the hydrating, repairing benefits of an essence, which creates a 2-in-1 product delivering twice the skin-transforming power.

Along with clearer skin, eased from acne, people are wanting fresh, glowing skin, but also want to be kepy hydrated and nourished. Harsh products back in the day that used ingredients which stripped the skin didn’t give all these results, but it’s now what the people want from their acne skincare regime.

This is where toners have began to boom, acting as that ‘treatment step’ in a persons acne regime.

Why toners and why Succinic acid?

Succinic acid is still a fairly new one to me, but I’ll share what I know here so far about why this is a key ingredient to be aware of. Basically, everyone tends to go crazy over certain acids like Hyaluronic acid for skin, mainly because they add amazing moisturising benefits. But for those treating acne, they need both skin soothing and acne busting, and moisturisastion.

Succinic acid hydrates the skin, and is very similar structurally to our skin’s own lipids making it an effective hydrator. Alongside this it also helps to control and balance excess sebum production again, which is helpful for those with oily or acne-prone skin. It’s used in toners so it can be used after cleansing, and before a moisturiser or night cream.

Bear in mind that Succinic acid is not the same as Salicylic acid. Salicylic is slightly harsher in terms of exfoliation, not providing the hydration that Succinic has too. Succinic acid works by helping to peel away dead skin cells from the pores to keep them clear. This makes it a useful treatment ingredient to target blemishes, heal scarring, and improve signs of ageing. It exfoliates lightly, while balancing the skin. Salicylic is less gentle on the skin, so people are advised to ease in gently when trying out a Salicylic regime.

How to use Succinic acid toners

For the FaceGym product in general – the Skin Changer – you should begin with a freshly cleansed complexion that is slightly damp. Then apply a few drops of the toner onto a resuable cotton pad, sweeping upwards. For areas that have more congestion, like nose, foreheads and chins, take a little more time to apply. You can apply a hydrating product afterwards, although I tend to let my toner work it’s magic for at least a minute before applying a product on top of it.

Final thoughts

In a nutshell, if you’re looking to keep your breakouts and acne at bay and control your spots, without sacrificing hydration, Succinic acid toners could really help your acne journey. Depending on other ingredients mixed with the Succinic acid, you should get a gentle skin renewing effect, controlling excess oil and reducing acne and breakouts. The FaceGym brand is the one I am most aware of when it comes to hunting down this ingredient, so it could be a great one to start with.