What Is Acne & Breakouts?
Acne and breakouts happen when hair follicles become blocked with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria — showing up as blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules or, in more severe cases, deeper cystic breakouts. It can affect any age, though it’s most commonly associated with the teenage years and hormonal changes in adulthood.
This page focuses on managing active breakouts. If your main concern is the marks or texture left behind after acne has healed, our Acne Scarring page covers that, and if it’s specifically about visible, congested pores, see our Enlarged Pores page.
What Causes It?
- Excess oil (sebum) production, often driven by hormones
- Clogged pores — a build-up of dead skin cells, oil and bacteria within the follicle
- Hormonal fluctuations — puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy and conditions like PCOS can all trigger breakouts
- Bacteria (P. acnes) — thrives in blocked, oily pores and drives inflammation
- Skincare and makeup products that are too heavy or comedogenic for your skin type
- Diet, stress and lifestyle factors, which can worsen breakouts in some people
How We Assess It at Cosmetic Skin Co
Acne can have several contributing factors at once, so an effective plan usually combines in-clinic treatment with the right home skincare. At your consultation, Lisa will assess your skin type, the type and severity of your breakouts, and any triggers, then build a treatment and skincare plan to calm active acne and help prevent new breakouts.
Recommended Treatments
- IPL Skin Rejuvenation — IPL Skin Rejuvenation — generally our treatment of choice for active acne breakouts, calming inflammation and helping restore clearer, more even skin.
- Extraction Facial — Extraction Facial — professional, hygienic extraction of blackheads and congestion that’s difficult to safely clear at home.
- Skin Peels — Skin Peels — paired with LED Phototherapy, a great starting point for acne-prone skin.
- LED Phototherapy — LED Phototherapy — gentle light therapy that helps calm inflammation and support clearer skin, suitable even for reactive or sensitive acne-prone skin.
- Laser Facials — Laser Facials — using Laser Toning technology, particularly well suited to treating acne in darker skin tones.
The right combination depends on how active your breakouts are and your skin’s sensitivity — this is exactly what your consultation is for.
Recommended Skincare
- Cosmetic Skin Co Reusable Makeup Removal Pads (3-Pack) — Cosmetic Skin Co Reusable Makeup Removal Pads (3-Pack) — Lisa’s own go-to, used with every client in clinic; gently lifts makeup and daily grime without the friction that can aggravate breakout-prone skin.
- Antioxidant Gentle Gel Cleanser — Antioxidant Gentle Gel Cleanser — gently foaming cleanser formulated for oily, combination or problematic skin; cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.
- Barrier B — Barrier B — 10% Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid serum that balances oil, supports the skin barrier and calms breakout-prone skin.
- Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50+ — Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50+ — broad-spectrum daily SPF; important for acne-prone skin, especially alongside in-clinic treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will treatment help with active breakouts, not just marks?
Yes — treatments like IPL Skin Rejuvenation and LED Phototherapy are specifically aimed at calming active, inflamed breakouts, not just the aftermath.
Is it safe to extract my own blackheads and pimples at home?
We don’t recommend it — home extraction can push bacteria deeper and increase the risk of scarring. Our Extraction Facial is done professionally and hygienically.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on how active and widespread your breakouts are — Lisa will give you a personalised estimate at your consultation.
Can skincare alone manage my acne?
For mild cases, the right home routine can make a real difference, but persistent or inflamed acne usually responds faster with a combination of in-clinic treatment and skincare.
Can I have acne treatment in summer?
Yes — summer treatments can still go ahead, as long as your skin is well prepped beforehand and you continue to follow your post-treatment care instructions.
Book a Consultation
Ready to get your breakouts under control? Book a free skin consultation with Lisa and get a treatment plan tailored to your skin.