Acne Creams, Serums & Supplements

Q: FUNGAL ACNE VS HORMONAL ACNE: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Fungal acne usually refersto Malassezia folliculitis, an acne-like concern that often appears as small,itchy, uniform bumps. Hormonal acne is more likely to appear as deeper, tenderbreakouts around the chin, jawline and lower cheeks.

Acne Creams, Serums & Supplements

At Face The Future, we are here to give you advice for life, supporting your skin journey with expert-led products, personalised guidance and trusted skincare solutions. If you have acne-prone skin or blemish-prone skin, choosing the right acne treatment can feel overwhelming. From acne creams and serums to acne supplements, spot treatments and acne patches, there are so many options.

Whether you are dealing with forehead acne, chin or jawline acne, acne on cheeks, hormonal breakouts, menopausal acne or post-acne marks, a consistent and targeted routine can help support clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Quick filters

Featured

Most relevant

Best selling

Alphabetically, A-Z

Alphabetically, Z-A

Price, low to high

Price, high to low

Date, old to new

Date, new to old

DMK Enbioment Cleanser

View Product

Kanzen Makeup Brush Cleaner

£8.99 £10.00 10% offsaving

Two white KANZEN skincare bottles on a white background: a Pore Purifier wash with a gold label and a Hypochlorous Cleansing Spray with a turquoise label.

Kanzen Derma Acne Duo Bundle

£24.75

Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid 40ml

Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid 60ml

£25.00

AXIS-Y 6+1+1 Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Mask Pack 100ml

£14.99 £20.95 28% offsaving

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Breathable Foundation - Tawny

£60.71 £66.00 8% offsaving

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Breathable Foundation - Mahogany

£49.49 £66.00 25% offsaving

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Concealer - B-3.0 Coco/Ebony

£45.99 £50.00 8% offsaving

Uriage Hyséac 3-REGUL Global Skincare 40ml

£14.99 £20.00 25% offsaving

[coat]s Skinsentials Starter Kit (Travel size)

£19.79 £22.00 10% offsaving

Avant Skincare Dynamic Salicylic Blemish Battling Cleanser 100ml

£41.99 £84.00 50% offsaving

Avant Skincare Proactive Salicylic Acne & Imperfections Repair Treatment 50ml

£62.29 £89.00 30% offsaving

Pestle and Mortar Clarify 2% BHA Salicylic Toner

£27.99 £35.00 20% offsaving

DMK Deep Pore Facial Cleanser bottle on a white background

DMK Deep Pore Facial Cleanser Travel Size 60ml

Existing Face the Future DMK customers can re-order by calling 0113 282 7744. New customers interested in purchasing DMK products can book a free consultation at our advanced skin clinic.

View Product

White spray bottle labeled 'ACU MIST' with 'DMK' branding on a white background

DMK Acu-Mist Travel Size 60ml

Existing Face the Future DMK customers can re-order by calling 0113 282 7744. New customers interested in purchasing DMK products can book a free consultation at our advanced skin clinic.

View Product

DMK Acu-Klenz Travel Size 60ml

Existing Face the Future DMK customers can re-order by calling 0113 282 7744. New customers interested in purchasing DMK products can book a free consultation at our advanced skin clinic.

View Product

DMK Acu Creme Moisture Cream bottle on a white background

DMK Acu Creme Travel Size 15ml

Call 0113 282 7744 for product advice or to place an order.

View Product

Omorovicza skincare jar on a white background

Omorovicza Silver Skin Saviour 50ml

£72.24 £85.00 15% offsaving

Institut Esthederm Intensive Propolis Serum

£43.99 £55.00 20% offsaving

DCL Active Mattifying Tonic

This soothing hydrating toner helps to clear and calm oily, problematic skin.

£14.49 £29.00 50% offsaving

PharmaClinix Skin Vitamix Cream 50ml

£31.48 £34.99 10% offsaving

DMK Pore Reduction Drops Plus

Existing Face the Future DMK customers can re-order by calling 0113 282 7744. New customers interested in purchasing DMK products can book a free consultation at our advanced skin clinic.

View Product

Sold out

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toner 240ml

£10.94 £11.90 8% offsaving

Sold out

47 Skin Anti-Blemish and Scar Repair Serum 50ml

£31.49 £45.00 30% offsaving

Sold out

The Perfect Peel The Perfect Cleanser

£62.99 £70.00 10% offsaving

Sold out

ZO Skin Health Complexion Smoothing + Clarifying Program

From £123.10

Log in to purchase

Sold out

47 Skin Everyday Cleanser 150ml

£20.29 £29.00 30% offsaving

Sold out

47 Skin Anti-Blemish and Scar Repair Serum 30ml

£20.29 £29.00 30% offsaving

Sold out

Vichy Normaderm Anti-Age And Anti-Blemish Moisturiser 50ml

£19.50

Sold out

Environ Focus Care Clarity+ Botanical Infused Sebu-Wash Gel Cleanser 200ml Super Size Edition

£36.00

Sold out

47 Skin Daily Moisturiser 60ml

£23.79 £34.00 30% offsaving

Sold out

The Ordinary The Clear Set

£13.89 £15.10 8% offsaving

Sold out

Skincare serum bottle with label and promotional text on a white background

47 Skin Anti-Blemish and Scar Repair Serum 15ml

£11.19 £16.00 30% offsaving

Sold out

47 Skin Treatment Serum with Azelaic Acid 30ml

£25.89 £37.00 30% offsaving

Sold out

Vichy Normaderm Skin Corrector 1.5% Salicylic Acid Daily Moisturiser For Blemish-Prone Skin 50ml

£19.00

Sold out

Medik8 Clarifying Foam

£25.00

AXIS Y 6+1+1 Spot the Difference Blemish Treatment 15ml

About Acne Creams, Serums & Supplements

What Is Blemish-Prone Skin?

Blemish-prone skin is skin that is more likely to develop spots, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, blocked pores, redness or inflamed blemishes. It can be oily, dry, sensitive, combination or dehydrated.

Common triggers for blemished skin include:

Excess oil production
Blocked pores and dead skin cell build-up
Hormonal changes
Stress and lack of sleep
Makeup, SPF or haircare products that do not suit your skin
Overusing active ingredients
A damaged or weakened skin barrier
Menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause
Genetics and lifestyle factors

Acne Creams, Serums, Supplements And Patches: What’s The Difference?

Different acne products play different roles in your routine. The key is understanding what your skin needs most.

Acne Creams

An acne cream is usually best for targeted treatment, comfort and barrier support. Depending on the formula, creams for acne may help with active blemishes, dryness, redness, post-blemish marks or overall skin balance.

An acne cream may suit you if your skin is:

Dry or dehydrated from active treatments
Sensitive as well as blemish-prone
Experiencing localised breakouts
In need of extra comfort and moisture
Prone to irritation from strong gels or exfoliants

The best acne cream for your skin should feel comfortable, non-greasy and supportive, without clogging pores or leaving a heavy finish.

Acne Serums

An acne serum is usually lightweight and designed to deliver active ingredients into your routine without feeling too rich. Serums are often a good choice for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin because they layer easily under moisturiser and SPF.

An acne serum may help target:

Congested skin
Uneven texture
Post-acne marks
Excess shine
Enlarged-looking pores
Blemishes across the forehead, cheeks, chin or jawline

The best serum for acne scars or post-acne marks will usually include ingredients that support clearer tone, smoother texture and a more even-looking complexion.

Acne Supplements

Acne supplements are designed to support your skin from within. They should not replace topical acne treatments, prescription medication or professional advice, but they may support your wider skincare, wellbeing and nutritional routine.

Supplements may be worth considering if:

Your breakouts seem linked to lifestyle, stress or hormonal changes
You want to support your skin alongside topical skincare
You are interested in beauty-from-within products
You prefer a routine that considers skin, nutrition and wellbeing together

Always follow product instructions and speak to a healthcare professional before taking supplements if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, managing a medical condition or already taking other supplements.

Acne Patches

Acne patches are useful for individual pimples, especially when you are tempted to pick. They help protect the blemish, create a barrier between your skin and your fingers, and can absorb fluid from surface-level spots.

Acne patches are best for:

Whiteheads
Surface-level spots
Individual pimples
Reducing picking
Daytime or overnight spot care

They are less likely to help deep, cystic or under-the-skin blemishes, which often need a different treatment approach.

What Are the Best Ingredients For Acne-Prone Skin?

The best products for acne often combine targeted active ingredients with hydration and barrier support. Here are some of the most useful ingredients to know.

Salicylic Acid For Acne

Salicylic acid is often used in skincare products for acne because it helps exfoliate inside the pore. It is a popular choice for blackheads, whiteheads, excess oil and congestion.

Salicylic acid acne products may suit you if you experience:

Forehead acne
Acne on nose
Blackheads
Whiteheads
Oily or combination skin
Congestion
Back acne or body breakouts

Is salicylic acid good for acne? For many people, yes. It can help keep pores clearer and improve the look of congestion, but it should be introduced gradually to avoid dryness or irritation. Salicylic acid can help with blemishes, clogged pores and uneven surface texture, but it will not remove deep or indented acne scars.

Niacinamide For Acne

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and is a popular ingredient for blemish-prone skin. It can help support the skin barrier, balance the look of oiliness and calm the appearance of redness.

Niacinamide acne products may suit you if your skin is:

Oily but dehydrated
Blemish-prone and sensitive
Red or uneven-looking after breakouts
Struggling with a weakened skin barrier
Prone to shine throughout the day

Does niacinamide help with acne? It can support acne-prone routines, particularly when your skin needs balance and barrier care, but if a niacinamide product seems to trigger congestion, consider the full formula, texture, strength and what else you are using alongside it.

Retinol For Acne

Retinol and other retinoids are often used in routines for blemishes, clogged pores, uneven texture and post-acne marks. Retinol for acne can be especially useful in adult acne routines, where breakouts, texture and signs of ageing may be concerns at the same time.

Retinol may suit your skin if you want to target:

Clogged pores
Uneven texture
Post-acne marks
Adult acne
Dull or rough-looking skin

Is retinol good for acne? It can be, but it needs to be introduced slowly. Some people experience dryness, flaking or a temporary-looking increase in blemishes when first using retinol, especially if they use too much too soon. Use retinol at night, avoid layering it with too many strong active ingredients, and apply SPF every morning.

Azelaic Acid For Acne

Azelaic acid is a helpful ingredient for blemish-prone skin, uneven tone and post-acne marks. It is often chosen by people whose skin does not tolerate stronger acids or retinoids well.

Azelaic acid acne products may suit you if you experience:

Red-looking blemishes
Post-acne marks
Uneven tone
Sensitivity
Breakouts alongside redness

Does azelaic acid help with acne scars? It may help improve the look of post-acne marks and uneven tone, but true indented acne scars usually need professional treatment.

Glycolic Acid For Acne

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the surface of the skin. It may help with dullness, uneven texture and some types of post-blemish marks.

Does glycolic acid help with acne? It can support some blemish-prone routines, especially where rough texture and surface build-up are concerns. However, it may be too strong for sensitive, inflamed or compromised skin.

Can glycolic acid cause acne? It may make skin look worse if overused, layered with too many other actives or applied to an irritated skin barrier. If your skin feels tight, hot, sore or more inflamed, simplify your routine and reintroduce actives slowly.

Fungal Acne Vs Hormonal Acne

Fungal acne and hormonal acne can look similar at first, but they are not the same.

Fungal acne is often used to describe Malassezia folliculitis. This is not true acne, but an acne-like follicle concern that can appear as small, uniform, itchy bumps. It is commonly seen on areas such as the forehead, hairline, chest, back, shoulders or upper arms.

Hormonal acne is usually linked to hormonal fluctuations and often appears around the chin, jawline and lower cheeks. It may feel deeper, tender or cystic, and can flare around menstrual cycles, stress, perimenopause or menopause.

We have a guide on fungal vs hormonal acne if you need more information.

Acne Scarring Treatment And Post-Acne Marks

Some of our community also struggle with acne scarring and post-acne marks. When people search how to get rid of acne scars, they may be referring to two different concerns:

Post-acne marks: red, brown or purple-looking marks left after a blemish
True acne scars: changes in skin texture, such as indented, pitted or raised scars

Post-acne marks can often improve gradually with the right skincare, daily SPF and consistent active ingredients. True acne scars are usually more complex and may need in-clinic treatments.

Ingredients that may help improve the look of post-acne marks include:

Niacinamide
Azelaic acid
Retinol or retinoids
Vitamin C
Salicylic acid
Glycolic acid
Daily SPF

A Simple Routine For Acne-Prone Skin

A focused routine is usually better than using too many acne products at once.

Morning Routine

Cleanse gently
Apply a balancing serum, such as niacinamide or azelaic acid
Use a lightweight moisturiser if needed
Apply broad-spectrum SPF every morning

Evening Routine

Cleanse thoroughly to remove SPF, makeup, oil and daily build-up
Apply your chosen acne treatment, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinol
Follow with a barrier-supportive moisturiser
Use acne patches on individual surface blemishes if helpful

If your skin feels sore, tight, flaky, hot or more inflamed, it may be a sign that you are doing too much. Take your routine back to basics and reintroduce actives slowly.

When Should You Ask For Expert Acne Advice?

You may benefit from personalised acne advice if:

Your acne is painful or cystic
Your breakouts are leaving marks or scars
Your skin is not improving after consistent use of suitable products
You are unsure whether you have fungal acne or hormonal acne
You are experiencing menopausal acne
Your skin feels irritated from too many active ingredients
Acne is affecting your confidence or wellbeing
You are unsure which acne cream, serum or supplement to choose

Our Skin Experts can help you build a routine that supports your skin type, acne concerns, lifestyle and product preferences, whether you are dealing with blemishes, congestion, post-acne marks, fungal acne-looking bumps, hormonal breakouts or acne scarring. Take our online skincare test to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE BEST ACNE TREATMENT?

The best acne treatment depends on your skin type, acne type and tolerance to active ingredients. A good starting point is a gentle cleanser, one targeted acne treatment, a lightweight moisturiser and daily SPF. If acne is painful, persistent or scarring, seek professional advice.

FUNGAL ACNE VS HORMONAL ACNE: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Fungal acne usually refers
to Malassezia folliculitis, an acne-like concern that often appears as small,
itchy, uniform bumps. Hormonal acne is more likely to appear as deeper, tender
breakouts around the chin, jawline and lower cheeks.

HOW CAN I GET RID OF ACNE SCARS?

Start by controlling active acne, wearing sunscreen daily and using ingredients that support post-acne marks, such as retinol, niacinamide, azelaic acid or exfoliating acids. Some acne scars may need professional treatments such as microneedling, peels or laser acne scar removal.

WHAT IS THE BEST MOISTURISER FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN?

The best moisturiser for acne-prone skin should be lightweight, non-greasy and supportive. Look for ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, panthenol or niacinamide.

DO ACNE PATCHES WORK?

Acne patches can be helpful for individual whiteheads and surface-level blemishes. They can protect the spot, reduce picking and absorb fluid. They are less useful for deep cystic acne.

DOES MAKEUP CAUSE ACNE?

Makeup does not always cause acne, but heavy, pore-clogging or poorly removed makeup can contribute to congestion. Choose breathable, non-comedogenic formulas where possible and cleanse thoroughly every evening.