Once you have created a skin base that prevents the formation of blemishes by controlling melanin generation through careful skincare and UV countermeasures and by regulating the skin’s turnover cycle, you want to close the gap by using cosmetics that are effective in preventing blemishes. In this issue, we will focus on skincare items that are effective against blemishes, and offer specific product suggestions based on the key points of ingredient selection.
Sponsored by
A stone's worth of benefits! Skincare is the greatest self-investment
As introduced in the article ” He Who Wins the Battle Against Blemishes Wins the Goody-Goody World [ 4 Complete Manuals for Blemish Control and Prevention ] “, the most important thing in fighting blemishes is to regulate skin turnover. Creating a skin foundation that prevents the formation of blemishes through skincare is effective in eliminating current blemishes as well as preventing future ones. No matter how expensive a serum is applied to a blemish, if the skin remains rough, turnover will not be promoted, and the true benefits will not be reaped. In addition, skincare for blemish prevention is a long-term project! The turnover cycle is about 6 weeks, so it is important not to give up immediately after just one or two weeks of trying.
And putting effort into skincare is not only effective in preventing blemishes. For example, when turnover is regulated, it is also effective against wrinkles caused by dryness. It is not uncommon for small wrinkles to be caused by dryness, which can be improved by moisturizing the skin. Also, taking care of your skin will make you feel more confident about yourself, and this confidence will show in your first impression. The ” feeling of taking care of yourself ” has a positive effect on your self-esteem. If you are not ready to take the first step to adopt skin care, it is important to be “conscious of taking care of yourself.
As you can see, by regulating turnover through skincare, you can expect to kill three birds with one stone or more, such as preventing dryness (wrinkles) and improving self-esteem, in addition to preventing blemishes, so there is no reason not to put in the effort.
Getting out of the labyrinth of basic cosmetics
Many cosmetics that are billed as “for men” are all-in-one products. While all-in-one cosmetics have the advantage of being quick and easy to complete skin care, they also have the aspect of being halfway there if you want to take specific measures. For those who want to focus on blemish countermeasures, it is recommended that they try using something that suits their skin type and skin concerns, rather than all-in-one cosmetics.
However, when it comes time to start skincare, there are so many types of basic cosmetics that many people do not know what to buy. Even if you read an article that recommends a product, you may buy it because “it just looks good,” only to regret it when it doesn’t suit your skin or you don’t feel the effects…etc. In order to get out of such a “labyrinth of basic cosmetics,” we would like you to consider ” ingredients” as a guideline. When choosing a skincare item to care for blemishes, it is important to know what ingredients are effective and what to look for.
Whitening active ingredients
Check to see if the product contains whitening ingredients that inhibit the production of melanin, which causes blemishes. The table below shows the whitening active ingredients that are commonly used. Please refer to it when selecting cosmetics by understanding the effects you are looking for according to your skin type.
| Ingredient | Effect | Skin type |
| Vitamin C derivative | A stabilized form of vitamin C. When absorbed into the skin, it acts as vitamin C and suppresses melanin production. | Oily/combination skin |
| Arbutin | Effective in preventing spots and freckles by suppressing the action of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production. | OK for sensitive skin |
| Tranexamic acid | Not only suppresses melanin production, but also suppresses skin inflammation, and is said to be particularly effective for melasma (chloasma). | Sensitive skin, skin with redness |
| Niacinamide | Inhibits the production and migration of melanin, strengthens the barrier function and moisturizes the skin, and is popular as an anti-aging care ingredient. | Dry skin |
| Glycyrrhetinic acid Stearyl SW |
Licorice-derived ingredient with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Plays a role in preventing blemishes and pigmentation by reducing skin inflammation. | Sensitive skin, prone to skin irritation |
| Chamomilla ET | An ingredient extracted from chamomile, which inhibits melanin production. It also has an anti-inflammatory action and can be expected to prevent pigmentation caused by rough skin and inflammation. | OK for sensitive skin |
In addition to whitening active ingredients, the following points should also be considered when selecting a skin care product.
Moisturizing ability
Moisturizing is super important to maintain normal skin turnover. Dry skin is more likely to develop blemishes, so choose a product that contains hyaluronic acid, ceramide, collagen, and other moisturizing ingredients to enhance the skin’s ability to retain water. If you have dry skin and are concerned about blemishes, please pay attention to these ingredients as well.
Quasi-drugs (medicated)
Lotion that claims whitening effects and is labeled “quasi-drug (medicated)” is a highly reliable choice for blemish prevention because the efficacy of the active ingredients has been approved. When looking for a product in drugstores, check for quasi-drugs that are labeled ” blemish-preventive.
Focusing on the ingredients and points mentioned above, we will now introduce skincare items recommended for blemish prevention by category.
Lotion category
Lotion is a skincare item that aims to replenish moisture to the stratum corneum, smoothing the skin and promoting the penetration of the serum or emulsion used next. It also contains ingredients that can be expected to have various beauty effects depending on the product, such as high moisturizing, whitening, pore tightening, and inflammation control of acne.
Recommended lotion for blemish prevention 1Shirojun Premium Medicated Whitening Lotion with Penetrating Effects
The strength of Shirojun Premium is its excellent cost performance. It contains tranexamic acid and 2K glycyrrhizic acid as active ingredients and costs only a little less than 1,000 yen including tax, making it a good value for money. The above two active ingredients also have a soothing effect on rough skin, making them very effective for those who want to prevent both rough skin and blemishes. It is not sticky, but is also moisturizing, making it a must-try lotion for those with combination or dry skin. There is also a milky lotion type, so you can use it as part of a line (i.e., combine lotion, milky lotion, and other skincare products under the same brand).
Click here for details and purchase.
Lotion for the Prevention of Blemishes and Freckles 2Curél Lotion for the Prevention of Blemishes and Freckles
Curél Lotion for the Prevention of Blemishes and Freckles is recommended for those with sensitive skin. The active ingredient in this product is a vitamin C derivative called ascorbic acid 2-glucoside. It also contains a eucalyptus-derived moisturizing ingredient, which covers moisturizing while preventing blemishes. It is also nice that there are three levels of moisturizing power to choose from: “slightly moist,” “moist,” and “very moist. This product also includes a milky lotion and moisturizing cream, so it can be used as part of a line. A travel size is also available, so we recommend trying it out for the first time!
Click here for details and purchase.
Recommended Lotion for Blemishes 3Seokuhada Sei Brightening Essence Lotion
Seokuhada Sei Brightening Essence Lotion was renewed in 2024, the 40th anniversary of Seokuhada Sei, for the first time in the brand’s history. lotion for the first time in the brand’s history. Sukkabe Sei is a long-selling product with a strong reputation overseas and has been well-loved for many years. It contains KOSÉ’s unique W-glycyrrhetinic acid stearyl as the first whitening and anti-aging active ingredient approved in Japan, and as the name suggests, when applied to the skin, it feels cool and pleasant to use, as if it were touched by snow. It is also effective in treating acne, sunburn, rough skin, and razor burn, making it a popular choice among men. A 30ml trial size is also available, so it is recommended to try it before purchasing the 200ml size.
Click here for details and purchase.
Emulsion and Cream Section
Emulsions and moisturizing creams are moisturizing items that lock the replenished moisture into the skin after the skin’s moisture level has been adjusted with lotion. For those who are concerned about dryness, it is recommended to use creams that contain more oil and have higher moisturizing power than milky lotion. The lotion introduced above has a corresponding milky lotion, so it is recommended to use a line of lotion. However, for those who are currently using only lotion or would like to incorporate an anti-blemish emulsion or cream in addition to their regular lotion, we recommend the following items.
Emulsions and creams recommended for blemish prevention 1Aqua Label Treatment Milk (Brightening)
The emulsions from Aqua Label, a skincare brand developed by Shiseido, contain potassium methoxysalicylic acid salt (so-called 4 MSK) as the active ingredient. This ingredient is also used in Shiseido’s high-end skincare line and is effective in preventing blemishes. While being petit-priced, it provides full-fledged blemish care. There are two types of moisturizers, ” moist ” and ” very moist “, so choose the one that best suits your skin condition and skin type.
Click here for details and purchase.
Recommended emulsions and creams for blemish control 2Transino Medicated Whitening Repair Cream EX
What makes Transino Whitening Repair Cream unique is how comfortable it is to use. It is a gel-like cream that acts like a pack when used at the end of the nighttime skincare routine and leaves the skin feeling well moisturized upon waking up in the morning. Because it is a gel type, it is also recommended for those who do not like stickiness but want moisturizing power. It contains tranexamic acid as an active ingredient and glycyrrhizic acid 2K as an ingredient to prevent rough skin.
Click here for details and purchase.
Recommended emulsions and creams for blemish prevention 3d program Brightening Clear Emulsion MB
For sensitive skin, we recommend d program Brightening Clear Emulsion MB. The active ingredient is m-tranexamide, which is a natural anti-oxidant. The active ingredient is m-tranexamic acid. Since it is a brightening emulsion for sensitive skin, the basic premise is that the formula is gentle on the skin, but there is also a trial kit available, so those who are concerned about whether it will suit their skin can try it out.
Click here for details and purchase.
Additional options for those who want to further master blemish preventionSerum
In addition to the basic skincare routine of “face wash -> toner -> milky lotion (or cream)”, we recommend “serum” for those who want to further master blemish prevention. The advantages of using serums include the ability to narrow down products by ingredient, allowing one to pinpoint the ingredient that corresponds to the area of concern, and the fact that the amount of active ingredients is higher than that of lotion, making it easier to feel the effects of the product. To use a serum, after conditioning the skin’s moisture level with lotion, simply take an appropriate amount of serum and apply it to the skin in the same way as lotion, and then cover with a milky lotion to keep it in place.
Serum recommended for blemish prevention 1ONE BY KOSE's Melano-Shot W
Containing kojic acid, which has the smallest molecule among active ingredients for blemish prevention, and designed to deliver active ingredients to the core of the blemish (melanocytes), ONE BY KOSE’s Melano-Shot W is one of KOSE’s most popular serums.
Click here for details and purchase.
Recommended Serum for Blemishes 2Anua Dark Spot Serum
Anua is a Korean skincare brand famous for its ” simple yet effective ” products, of which the Dark Spot Serum is recommended for blemish control. Containing 10% niacinamide, 4% tranexamic acid, and 2% arbutin, it is a seamless anti-blemish serum. It also contains 10 types of hyaluronic acid, so it is good for those who are concerned about skin elasticity and dryness.
Click here for details and purchase.
Recommended Serum for Blemish Control 3ETVOS Medicated Whitening Clear Serum W
ETVOS Medicated Whitening Clear Serum W contains tranexamic acid as a whitening active ingredient and glycyrrhetinic acid stearyl as an active ingredient to prevent skin irritation. It also contains ceramide, making it highly moisturizing. This whitening serum is designed to be gentle on sensitive skin as it is free of alcohol, petroleum surfactants, silicone, and parabens.
![He who wins the battle against blemishes will win the world of good-looking men [ A Complete Manual of 4 Blemishes and Prevention ].](https://otokomaeken.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/e8a2003d886edf2b7667b5a9bd420e85-630x331.webp)
