What’s the best natural acne treatment?
I get this question a lot. Benzoyl peroxide (dermatologist’s fave treatment) is super harsh on the skin and can cause a serious cause of dryness.
Going natural seems like a gentler option for your skin. But is it?
Case in point: Salcura Antiac Activ Liquid Spray. At first sight, it looks like the perfect acne treatment. But when you dig deep, it comes with its set of problems too. Here’s what I mean:
What’s In Salcura Antiac Activ Liquid Spray?
TEA TREE OIL
If you’re looking for a natural remedy for your acne, Tea Tree Oil is the way to go. Derived from the Australian plant melaleuca alternifolia, this slightly yellow liquid has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Translation: Tea Tree Oil kills P. Acnes (the bacteria that causes acne) and reduces the inflammation that helps it thrive (acne is an inflammatory disease).
A 1990 study compared a 5% Tea Tree Oil gel and a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide lotion for the treatment of acne. The results? Both worked but:
- Tea Tree Oil was slower than BP at treating acne
- Tea Tree Oil had fewer side effects than BP
That doesn’t mean it’s without side effects. If you were to use 100% pure, undiluted Tea Tree Oil, you’d seriously irritate your skin.
P.S. So far, studies proving the effectiveness of Tea Tree Oil were done at 5% concentrations or higher. I doubt Salcura Antiac Activ Liquid Spray contains than much, but it does have more Tea Tree Oil than most skincare products out there (I’m looking at you, The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil range…)
Related: Is Tea Tree Oil The Underdog Of Acne Treatments?
ZINC PCA
Zinc PCA is another acne fighter that doesn’t get much attention. It’s made up of two things:
- Zinc: A mineral that regulates oil production and limits the proliferation of acne-causing bacteria.
- L-PCA: Short for Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid, it’s a natural moisturising factor that hydrates skin. Plus, it helps increase the bioavailability and effectiveness of zinc.
The catch? So far, the only study I’ve found on its effectiveness comes from the manufacturer. They found that using 1% of Zinc PCA every day for 28 days reduces sebum production significantly.
It’s a promising start, but don’t ditch all your other anti-acne actives for Zinc PCA. But it’s a nice extra to add to your skincare routine. Just in case.
Related: Can Zinc Really Treat Acne?
SOOTHING INGREDIENTS
Acne is an inflammatory disease. If you want to get rid of it, the first thing you need to do is reduce the inflammation. How?
Salcura Antiac Activ Liquid Spray is loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients, including:
- Aloe vera
- Bisabolol (the active ingredient in chamomile)
- Calendula extract
- Chamomile extract
These natural goodies calm down the redness and irritation that always come along with acne, helping your skin heal faster.
Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Aloe Vera In Skincare
ESSENTIAL OILS
The first half of Salcura Antiac Activ Liquid Spray is impressive. It features anti-acne actives that can kick P. Acnes in the butt and soothing agents to reduce inflammation.
But as you scroll down, you’ll find this stuff is full of essential oils, like lavender, peppermint, orange, and eucalyptus.
Fragranced essential oils are the worst thing you can put on your skin. The fragrance components that make them smell so good are irritating for skin – especially sensitive skin (and acne-prone skin IS sensitive).
Not everyone who uses it will experience a rash. BUT, all these essential oils make you more prone to irritations. Why include them in the first place?
Related: 7 Natural Ingredients That Can Irritate Sensitive Skin
Texture
Runny. Slightly oily.
Fragrance
Herbal. I get whiffs both of lavender and tea tree oil. Very strong. Lasts too long on the skin.
How To Use It
Morning and evening, when necessary. If you don’t have active breakouts, you DON’T need this. If you have them, use it differently depending on how severe the symptoms are:
- Mild acne: Spray onto your face and use a cotton pad to remove the liquid off your face.
- Moderate acne: Spray into your face and massage it into your skin with clean hands (you don’t want MORE bacteria on your face!).
Performance & Personal Opinion
Salcura Antiac Activ Liquid Spray kinda works. You’ll find plenty of reviews online that swear this stuff helps reduce acne.
I don’t doubt them. Tea tree oil + zinc can definitely help with that. But my beef is with the essential oils. Acne-prone is already sensitive. Why use something that could irritate it even more? It’s not like this stuff is the only effective acne treatment on the market…
If your skin doesn’t have a problem with essential oils (by the way, you could develop an allergy to them at ANY time), you may be tempted to give it a try.
An hybrid between a serum and a toner, when you spray it on your face, it releases a runny liquid that instantly absorbs into your skin. It feels a little oily, but you can wipe that away with a cotton pad.
Who Is This For?
I honestly can’t recommend this. Too many irritating essential oils in it.
Who Is This NOT For?
Everyone. There are better anti-acne treatments out there.
Packaging
Salcura Antiac Activ Liquid Spray comes in a sleek white bottle with a spray applicator. It has a medicinal vibe and is practical to use.
Does Salcura Antiac Activ Liquid Spray Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Our unique Antiac Activ Liquid Spray liquid sinks deep into the skin, cleansing the skin deeper than any cream, gel or wash ever could. | It does sink deep into the skin, but it has no cleansing or exfoliating properties. |
| All oils and extracts contribute to the reduction of any symptoms associated with Acne, like spots, blemishes and blackheads. | May be true, but a lot of them can also irritate skin. |
| Our Antiac range contains unique and clinically proven ingredients Skinwell DFA and ZPA plus. Both ingredients have the proven ability to significantly reduce any symptoms associated with Acne, like spots, blemishes and blackheads. | Note how the claim is carefully worded. They don’t say the spray reduces acne. Just that it contains ingredients that have been proven to reduce acne. But they do help you reduce it. |
| Additionally, the vitamins and minerals found in the natural ingredients will feed the skin from the inside out, allowing it to gain strength. | A fancy way of saying it moisturises skin. It does – to an extent. |
| The skin will feel refreshed, deeply cleansed and nourished. | It feels refreshed and soft – unless the essential oils irritate skin. |
Price & Availability
£16.99 at Salcura
Do You Need It?
Nope. There are better acne treatments out there.
[penci_review]
Dupes & Alternatives
- Epionce Purifying Spot Gel ($38.00): available at DermstoreÂ
- Indie Lee Blemish Lotion ($26.00): available at Blue Mercury, Dermstore and The Detox Market
- La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment ($36.95): Dermstore and Feel Unique
- Paula’s Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment With 5% benzoyl peroxide ($18.00): Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
Ingredients
Aqua, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice), Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Wheat Bran/Straw Glycosides, Tea Tree Leaf Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil), Lecithin, Zinc PCA, Bisabolol, P-Anisic Acid, Calendula Extract (Calendula Officinalis Extract), Chamomile Leaf Extract (Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract), Sea Buckthorn Kernel Extract (Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract), Lavender Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil), Rosemary Leaf Oil (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil), Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita Oil), Sweet Orange Peel Oil (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil), Eucalyptus Leaf Oil (Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil), Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Fusel Wheat Bran/Straw Glycosides, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol, Alcohol, Arginine, Glyceryl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
