Acne
Ugh – acne.
When you have acne, especially when it’s on your face, it can feel like the only thing you want to do is close the door and stay in bed. It’s hard to cover up, it can stick around for years and just when one eruption ends, another seems to pop up in its place.
There are many things that can trigger acne, but thankfully there are more and more treatments available to reduce or clear acne flare-ups.
We know that it can be difficult to manage skin concerns like acne, so we developed the AMPERNA® range for people like you.
All of AMPERNA®’s products have been tested on real people with real skin concerns, including acne prone skin.
Products for Acne Prone Skin
’I experienced pustular acne for two years. It related to an allergic condition to medications I was given. I felt out of control. My face was so sore that I couldn’t lie down and I despaired that I would never look the same again.’
Kiri, AMPERNA® Founder
AMPERNA® Ultra Gentle Soothing Cleanser is a light gel cleanser specifically formulated with acne prone skin, eczema, dermatitis, perioral dermatitis and rosacea in mind. This ultra gentle formulation rinses clean without leaving an irritating residue or upsetting pH levels. It contains an infusion of sage and cucumber extracts to help cool, soothe and nourish skin.
Continued use of our AMPERNA® 10% Pro+ Resurfacing Lotion helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and uneven skin tone.
When using glycolic acid and other AHAs, always wear sunscreen and appropriate sun protection. Chemical exfoliants can increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Our two new retinols (the Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol ALT serum and the Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol RX serum) will be the next step to help your acne prone skin. They both contain niacinamide, liquorice root extract and zinc & copper gluconates to help calm redness and help improve the skin’s texture.
Retinols can increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Always wear sunscreen and appropriate sun protection while using this product.
Our two retinols contain dicarboxylic salts which work to help acne by helping to kill the bacteria that infect pores and by helping to decrease production of keratin, a natural substance that can lead to the development of acne.
Retinols can increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Always wear sunscreen and appropriate sun protection while using this product.
As you know it is important to wear an SPF. Applying sunscreen will help protect your skin when you are out in the sun.
Our Pro+ Bio Soothing Day Mineral CC SPF15 is the first probiotic SPF moisturiser to market, full of great active skin loving ingredients, that has been specially formulated for even the most sensitive skins.
AMPERNA® Acne Reviews
Rebecca Woloszek, WA
Ok this is a very personal and somewhat terrifying post for me... especially sharing my before photo 🙈 But I feel I need to share this journey. For most of my adult life I have suffered acne... pair that with sensitive skin and it’s been a nightmare! At Christmas my skin was at its worst... so bad it was splitting, weeping and sore to touch. In desperation I started googling and what I found has become my savior! After using AMPERNA® the very first time my skin felt soothed! At first I thought it would be a short term fix but six months later and my skin is the best it’s been my entire adult life! The support and encouragement I have personally received from Kiri, the product founder, has been outstanding. As a sufferer herself she understands first-hand the despair and helplessness you feel! I cannot recommend this product enough for anyone with any skin issue... big or small! Thankyou Kiri.”
Natasha Brown, Sydney
I am so thankful that I met Kiri who introduced me to the AMPERNA® products. Together with a healthier diet and less stress, they have helped clear up my acne prone skin. This has helped me get my confidence back and for that I am very grateful. I use the Balance Cleanser, Hydrate Moisturiser, Repair Serum and also occasionally the Exfoliate Lotion to spot treat. I have been recommending these products to everyone I know. Thank you AMPERNA®!
Leisa Sampson
I’ve had cystic acne for as long as I can remember and finished a course of accutane over a year ago. For whatever reason the acne came back as bad as the first time and regardless of what I tried I couldn’t get rid of it. Before going back for more medication I decided to try AMPERNA®. I’d used [RESCUE] previously and it did wonders for my PD so I was willing to see what the range could do for acne. I’m so happy to say, after two months of using the full range religiously I currently have no active breakouts. I’m seeing great improvements in the scarring and pigmentation on my face, and I no longer feel it necessary to visit the dermatologist! I’m so thankful I gave these products a chance, and I can’t wait to see what they can do after another few months of use. Thank you AMPERNA®!
Let customers speak for us
OMG this stuff is serious magic for PD! I have been a PD sufferer for over 10yrs on and off with my bouts of flare ups. I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun and done all of the deep dives into how to cure my PD, knowing for me a lot of it is gut related and diet etc. However, still finding nothing to help soothe the flare ups whilst I conquer the gut stuff. I'd always been on the fence about Amperna not really trusting that any skin care could help. But I finally purchased the duo pack after deciding to try this rather than a sulfar soap as a last resort. And WOW WOW WOW!! Literally after one day of applying morning and night I saw immediate results! All of the tingling and itchiness ceased and the ever growing red little bumps also ceased immediately. I literally couldn't believe it. After a week, it had completely cleared all the little bumps and within two weeks the redness around my nose and mouth was barely visible. I cannot scream enough how amazing these products are for anyone suffering with PD! I cannot wait until my skin is ready to indulge in all of the Amperna products. I am converted for life and so thankful Amperna exists. Bloody gamechanger! Can't believe I sat on the fence this long!
An absolute game changer for my POD. I use both at night if I get a flare up, and it works really well to keep flare ups at bay
I’ve only been using the Soothing Duo for a couple of days but I already notice a difference in my rosacea prone skin. My barrier is improved and overall redness is reduced. Will definitely be purchasing more products from the range. Happy to have found such lovely soothing natural products!
I suffer from PD with intermittent flares when the weather changes and sometimes exfoliating with other products is not possible. This lotion is amazing and has helped keep my skin clear as well as improved texture over the last six months of use!
I have suffered from PD intermittently over the last few years to varying degrees and have tried so many different things. Some seem to work for a little bit but ultimately the fix never seems to last. Typically weather change will bring this on for me and come summer time I don’t want to be wearing much on my face so it is difficult when I flare during this time. Amperna has helped so much, just after a week of use I noticed a difference in my skin and since then I have had minimal to no flares. Photos on top are before and photos to the bottom are after just one week of using the Amperna cleanser as well as the resurfacing lotion. I plan to buy more products to add to my stock!
I am in love with this product and how amazing it has transformed my skin. I have not had any flare ups since starting the soothing duo 7 months ago!! Thank you
Honestly, Amperna is the best out there, and I am so lucky to have essentially stumbled upon Kiri and her brand a few years ago. I have been using all Amperna skin care since 2020 and have been so happy with the results and the day to day efficiency of her products. This cleanser is gentle, doesn't have a strong fragrance, and doesn't dry out my skin. I 'lather' the cleanser on my face for 60 seconds and then rinse off and find it doesn't leave my face feeling tight at all but refreshed.
My skin glows up everytime I use this product everyday in the morning. The best SPF I’ve ever used!!!
I have been struggling with acne, rosacea and periodical dermatitis over the past few years. I have found nothing that addresses all 3 skin concerns without flaring another issue. This product is so gentle and soothing. Have been using it with the Hydrate for the past month or so and my skin has never looked or felt better. Almost completely gone! So thankful to have found this line.
WHAT CAUSES ACNE?
Acne occurs when hair follicles become blocked with bacteria, dead skin cells and oil. This can result in blackheads, whiteheads, cysts or pimples (also called comedones). In severe cases, it can lead to scarring.
Acne is very common in the teenage years due to hormonal changes. During puberty our sebaceous glands (which are attached to hair follicles) start to secrete oil. In some instances, the glands become blocked by debris. A pimple erupts when bad bacteria grow in a clogged pore and the oil can’t escape.
Adult acne is also quite common. According to Prevention, it affects 35% of women in their 30s, 26% in their 40s, and 15% of over 50s. Many people list triggers as stress, changes to hormone levels, changes to pore size and dietary factors.
WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO GET ACNE THAN OTHERS?
There are many myths surrounding the causes and triggers of acne.
Some people believe that oily or fatty foods make it worse, but there’s no scientific evidence to support this. You may want to read this interesting article on the relationship of diet and acne if you’re one of those people who have been told to change your diet to manage your acne. The jury is still out on this discussion.
There are factors that have been shown to increase your likelihood of developing acne including:
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medications including corticosteroids
- Having parents that suffered from acne
According to recent research, for some people it may actually come down to good bacteria vs bad bacteria.
Research conducted by the University of California (UCLA) uncovered that the bacteria on the skin of people who suffer from acne is usually different to the bacteria on the skin of those who don’t tend to experience breakouts. While some bacteria can trigger acne, the ‘good’ bacteria strains may actually protect the skin.
‘We were interested to learn that the bacterial strains looked very different when taken from diseased skin, compared to healthy skin,’ said co-author Dr. Noah Craft, a dermatologist and director of the Center for Immunotherapeutics Research at LA BioMed at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center. ‘Two unique strains of P. acnes appeared in one out of five volunteers with acne but rarely occurred in clear-skinned people.’
They also discovered a third strain of bacteria that was common in healthy skin, yet rarely found on those affected by acne. They suspect that this third strain contains a natural defence mechanism, which may protect the skin in a similar way to how the live bacteria in yoghurt can help to defend our gut from bugs.
Find out more about the research at the UCLA website.
AMPERNA®’s founder Kiri actually noticed the link between bacteria and skin health while trying to heal her own troubled skin. While on an anti-inflammatory diet, she found that the probiotics and zinc she was taking helped her internally. That was when Kiri recognised the need for a product range like AMPERNA®.
AMPERNA®’s unique probiotic complex delivers good bacteria to your skin gently and effectively.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ACNE?
While acne most commonly develops on your face, it can appear pretty much anywhere on your body. Other common places for breakouts include the back, neck, chest and shoulders.
Some people mainly get blackheads, while others have a combination of whiteheads, red spots and blackheads.
Many dermatologists will grade acne from levels 1-4 in terms of severity. Grade 1 is mild, while grade 4 is severe.
SEVERE TYPES OF ACNE
Pimples, blackheads and whiteheads are hard enough to deal with, but life can really get difficult when severe acne strikes.
The most severe forms of acne present in the form of nodules, cysts and a condition know as acne conglobata.
Acne conglobate is a rare form of highly inflammatory acne where cysts and nodules begin to grow together deep below the skin. If left untreated, these severe types of acne can lead to life-long scarring. You can read more about this debilitating form of acne on the Healthline website.
It’s definitely a good idea to see a doctor or dermatologist if you think you are experiencing severe acne break-outs like those mentioned above.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TREATMENTS FOR ACNE?
While there are now many effective treatments for acne (thank goodness for that!), the same treatments will not work for everybody. You may need to try a few different things before you find something that works for you.
For those with mild acne, over the counter treatments and face washes could be of great help.
For those with more severe forms of acne, you may need to see a dermatologist.
They have a wide variety of treatments including:
- Topical treatments that can help to kill the bacteria and reduce the oil
- Medical treatments that work internally to help treat cysts and nodules (including antibiotics and isotrentinoin)
- Procedures such as laser and light therapies to reduce the bacteria or chemical peels to treat blackheads and pustules
For more information about these and other acne treatments, visit the American Academy of Dermatology website.
HOME TREATMENTS FOR ACNE
If you’re the type of person who likes to try natural or home remedies before seeing a GP or dermatologist, there are many ingredients and treatments believed to be of help.
Some home/natural remedies are topical in nature, while others seek to work on gut health and heal the body from the inside.
Some of the ingredients believed to be of help include:
- Tea tree oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Baking soda
- Tomatoes
- Aloe vera
- Papaya
- Tumeric
- Cucumber
The Health Line website has a detailed article on powerful home remedies for acne that you may find useful.
The list starts with a recommendation to always cleanse gently, tone to restore PH balance, use healing masks and exfoliate regularly.
They recommend spot treatment with tea tree oil, using basil and essential oils to fight bacteria and adding a probiotic supplement to your diet.