Glowing, healthier skin with reduced breakouts: How to keep acne under control from the inside out

Picture this: You've conquered your teenage years, ticked off milestones and emerged as a confident and capable woman. But one thing just won’t let you off the hook – adult acne. It's the skincare curveball nobody asked for, and it affects more women than you might think.

For copywriter Samantha Seah, it started as early as age 21. “The past seven years I’ve spent grappling with persistent acne have been quite a journey. I had active breakouts, accompanied by inflammation and noticeable redness. These issues hit hard on a personal level as I had enjoyed clear skin throughout my adolescence.”

Stay-at-home-mum Nur Bella, 32, has been battling inflammatory acne since the age of 16 and it is usually triggered by her menstrual cycle or from wearing makeup. “Applying acne treatment creams has also not helped. The breakout doesn’t subside and remains red,” she says.

According to a 2019 study by the Dermatological Society of Singapore, about 41 per cent of adults, particularly women, experience acne during their adult years. Acne can be influenced by hormones, which can trigger excess oil production leading to clogged pores. Bacteria, lifestyle factors like diet, stress and lack of sleep; as well as the use of unsuitable facial products could also play a role in its development.

Short of consulting a dermatologist, Samantha had tried all sorts of treatments. These ranged from topical over-the-counter products that offered some relief and helped to clear up past breakouts, to more intensive procedures such as chemical peels and carbon laser peels.

It was only until recently that she sought a different approach – healing her skin from the inside out. She began taking DreamSkin, a vegan and halal-friendly supplement by Dr. Ora that is uniquely formulated with organic, plant-based ingredients.

In just two weeks, Samantha noticed her skin appeared visibly less red and inflamed, and her acne scars also seemed less obvious. “My complexion is looking clearer than ever. Plus, it’s like my skin decided to slow down on the sebum production front,” she says. 

Nur Bella has also had a similar experience: “I noticed my skin getting brighter and less oily within a week and my acne reduced after two weeks. My acne also does not get triggered during my menstrual week. There’s still redness on my cheek, but it has reduced a lot.” 

The skin-gut connection

Acne supplements in the market may contain ingredients that aim to regulate sebum production, reduce inflammation, or combat the growth of acne-causing bacteria on the skin. However, they may not target acne’s various contributing factors such as hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and gut health, notes Wynnie Tham, founder of Dr. Ora.

"While many rely on creams, serums, and pimple patches to address breakouts, DreamSkin takes a different approach. We believe that true transformation comes from within, which is why we're targeting acne orally to achieve the best results,” she adds.

DreamSkin adopts a holistic approach, combining prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics with Chinese herbal ingredients. This unique plant-based formula also eliminates the worry of synthetic side effects.

Wynnie explains: “The choice to prioritise gut health in DreamSkin stemmed from a strong foundation of scientific knowledge linking gut microbiota to skin wellness. This decision was influenced by studies revealing the bidirectional relationship between gut balance and skin issues like acne.

"Our aim is to break the stigma around acne treatment, emphasising a plant-based formula that promises efficacy without the concerns of synthetic side effects. By working hand in hand with your external acne care, DreamSkin presents a comprehensive and holistic choice for managing acne."

The active ingredients in DreamSkin are pomegranate extract, which supports skin cell regeneration and collagen preservation; pine bark extract, bitter melon extract, and chrysanthemum extract. For instance, chrysanthemum, a Chinese medicinal herb, not only has cooling properties but can also reduce inflammation and reshape the gut's microbiome. Another anti-inflammatory ingredient is pine bark, which is also rich in antioxidants. Bitter melon extract, too, has been known to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, while also helping to reduce carbohydrate absorption, stabilise blood sugar, and manage insulin resistance, says Wynnie.

DreamSkin also contains inulin, a non-digestible dietary fibre serving as a prebiotic, as well as probiotics Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis, which are anti-inflammatory and work to reduce sebum production, improve blemishes, fight acne-causing bacteria and support a healthy gut. There is also Lactobacillus Kefiranofaciens, a form of postbiotics lactic acid bacteria from kefir grains that contributes to skin health.

For Samantha, what stood out was the antioxidant-rich pomegranate extract that calmed her inflammation and redness. Additionally, probiotics balanced her skin’s microbiome, curbing excess sebum and breakouts. “These ingredients were the missing pieces to my skincare puzzle, giving me a newfound confidence in my complexion,” she says.

Safe and sustainable

To ensure DreamSkin’s vegan and halal-friendly status, the Dr. Ora team goes through a meticulous and stringent sourcing and selection process, excluding any animal-derived components. Dr. Ora also partners with recognised certifying bodies, rigorously following their guidelines to guarantee compliance with Islamic dietary principles. 

Plus, by being transparent with their ingredients sourcing journey, you will know exactly where every ingredient in their product comes from. According to Dr Ora, they only work with local farmers and suppliers who share similar value about fresh and high quality ingredients. 

For microbiological and chemical testing, Dr. Ora collaborates with accredited third-party labs like ALS Global to guarantee DreamSkin’s safety and effectiveness. Sustainable sourcing of ingredients is also a key focus.

Adds Wynnie: “Our pine bark extract supplier Enzogenol ensures that the New Zealand pine bark used has no negative environmental impacts. We also utilise prebiotics from Orafti at Beneo, which promotes sustainable farming and biodiversity.”

This eco-conscious philosophy also leaves a positive impression on its users like Samantha. 

“Knowing that DreamSkin has undergone rigorous testing and is sustainable just adds to my confidence in the product. It's nice to know that I'm using a product that not only cares for my skin but also for the environment.”

While acne will sometimes leave unwanted blemishes, Dr. Ora’s Aura White Ultra is at hand to help even out skin tone, boost radiance and protect against UV rays. 

Available in powder sachets at selected Watson’s Singapore stores, the Aura White Ultra is one of Dr. Ora’s best-selling products that’s safe, easy to consume and comes in a delicious orange flavour so you can achieve brighter skin while enjoying a tasty drink.

DreamSkin retails at $59 (60 capsules) and can be purchased at Dr Ora .

Aura White Ultra retails at $62.90 (30 sachets per box) at Dr Ora and in 27 Watson’s stores including, Ngee Ann City (#B2-06), Raffles City ( #B1-42) and Parkway Parade (#B1-14).