6 Skincare products to help save you from mask-induced acne

The holy grail when it comes to achieving spotless skin. The  liquid exfoliant has a two percent salicylic acid concentration (a form of BHA), a powerhouse to deep clean and minimise pores. Suitable for normal, combination, and oily skin. Use once or twice daily with a cotton round and wipe all over your face as a toner after cleansing your skin. For drier skin, try out the gel version of this toner.

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Available on Paula’s Choice HK for $168 (30ml) or $328 (118ml)

If you’re just getting started on skincare and feel a bit unsure about where to begin, this all-in-one toner is the right one for you. Combining AHA, BHA, PHA and tea tree, this concoction has all the key ingredients to exfoliate, deep clean, and regulate your skin without a fuss. Just like its name, you’ll see a change in your skin in more or less a month. Really, we've tried it ourselves!

AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Available on YesStyle for $93.16 (150ml)

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is great for regulating sebum production and brightening skin tone. Made with one percent zinc, which has anti-inflammatory properties, this product can effectively reduce the appearance of blemishes and prevent clogged pores. Simply apply it before your moisturiser (day or night) and you’re good to go!

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Available at Sephora for $60 (30ml)

The shortcut to clear skin. Don’t let this red potion scare you away (though, you’ll look quite frightening with this on), as it is a leave-on mask with possibly the highest AHA concentration you can find on the market. This peeling solution will help chemically exfoliate the surface of the skin by removing excess dead skin cells, hyperpigmentation, as well as deep clean your pores to promote a more effective absorption for your skincare regimen afterwards. Fair warning, don’t leave this on for more than 10 minutes as you might start to feel a burning sensation on your face, and you won’t even be able to tell if your face is red because of the mask or if it’s irritated!

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution 
Available on Sephora for $80 (30ml)

GlamGlow is most well-known for their large selection of masks, and this clarifying Supermud mask certainly does not disappoint. Consisting of AHAs, BHAs, along with other active ingredients such as charcoal, this mask effectively combats skin concerns such as blemishes, redness, acne scars, and more. Purchase the 50g or 100g size to use all over the face regularly, or introduce this product to your skin as a spot treatment with the 15g travel size (as this product is relatively pricey).

Supermud Clearing Treatment
Available on Sephora for $170 (15g) / $490 (50g) / $690 ($100g)

We get it, sometimes our skin just doesn’t want to listen and those big, stubborn pimples simply won’t go away. This pimple patch not only actually stays on your face (unlike many others that you’ll just lose throughout the day), it also does a great job of drying out nasty pimples. Feel free to wear makeup over it too, as the patches are translucent and thinner on the edges, so it blends perfectly with your skin. Pro tip: use tweezers to peel the patches off to prevent it from losing its adhesive.

Acne Pimple Master Patch
Available on YesStyle for $24.36 (24 patches/pack)

Get the lowdown on Hong Kong's latest skincare craze.

Why should our face get all the love when our hands are doing all the work?