Expert Advice | How Fragrance Impacts Acne-Prone Skin

Chemical Irritants: Many fragrances, whether synthetic or natural, contain compounds that can be irritating to sensitive or acne-prone skin. These can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, making it more vulnerable to breakouts and redness.
Allergic Reactions: Fragrance is one of the leading causes of contact dermatitis, a type of allergic reaction. If your skin reacts to fragrance, it may cause redness, itching, and small bumps that can mimic or worsen acne.

Inflammatory Response: Fragrances can trigger an inflammatory response in the skin, which may contribute to acne flare-ups. Inflammation is a known acne trigger, as it can stimulate oil production and aggravate existing acne lesions.
Potential to Clog Pores: While fragrances don’t directly clog pores, the irritation and inflammation they cause can lead to increased oil production, which, combined with dead skin cells, can block pores and contribute to breakouts.

Weakening of Skin Barrier: With regular use, fragranced products can weaken the skin barrier, leading to chronic irritation and sensitivity. A compromised barrier struggles to retain moisture, which can lead to an imbalance in oil production. This imbalance often results in either overly oily or overly dry skin—both of which can exacerbate acne.

Look for “Fragrance-Free” Labels: Choose products that explicitly state they are fragrance-free or free of “parfum.” Some products labelled “unscented” may still contain fragrance ingredients to mask other odours, so look for “fragrance-free” specifically.
Patch Test New Products: For acne-prone skin, patch testing a small amount of any new product on an inconspicuous area (like behind the ear) can help you see if it causes any adverse reactions.

Cleansers: Cetaphil, La Roche-Posay and Cereve are good
Moisturisers: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Aknicare cream or Aknicare lotion (both fragrance-free and non-comedogenic)
SPF: Eucerin oil free or Heliocare oil free spf