Ex Boots worker ‘wishes she had’ their spot cream to treat acne

As a teenager, writer Bethan Shufflebotham exhausted every possible remedy to treat her acne-prone skin, from prescribed solutions to over-the-counter products. However, skincare has evolved significantly since the 2010s, and had the brands and formulas available today been around a decade or so ago, she believes her skincare journey would have been revolutionised.

Her own personal experience has led her to be particularly interested in one of the latest brands to launch in the UK called The Breakout Hack. The Australian brand made its debut at Boots earlier this year. Like Beth, their co-founder Rachael Wilde endured a 13-year struggle with acne, which motivated her to create a vibrant brand based on patented technology aimed at preventing and managing breakouts without compromising skin health.

Traditional acne-fighting formulas often depend on potentially harsh ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, which can leave skin parched and irritated. Potentially harmful to senstive skin, Beth once even had a severe allergic reaction to a benzoyl peroxide product bought over the counter, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Beth explained: “I started dealing with acne around the age of 10 and tried staples such as Clearasil’s rapid-action pads and Clean and Clear’s oil-free moisturiser. Both heavily relied on salicylic acid, which stung upon application and caused my already dry skin to produce even more oil in response. 

“I experimented with prescription treatments like the antibacterial Zineryt – which felt akin to applying vinegar – and eventually, an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide product that provoked a severe, peeling reaction.”

One notable aspect of the The Breakout Hack range is their avoidance of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide in their formulas. Instead, they utilise patented technology initially developed for medical wound care.

This antibacterial system aims to dismantle the skin’s protective “biofilm,” targeting acne-causing bacteria. The brand claims that it can yield a clearer complexion in ‘as little as six weeks.

Skin care fans should note that whilst these products don’t cure acne, they provide a significant means for sufferers to manage their symptoms and maintain a gentle, non-irritating routine.

Another brand employing ingredients specifically designed to combat blemish-causing bacteria is 47 Skin. Their range includes an ingredient known as Silver Chitoderm, originally deemed unsuccessful for water purification but subsequently discovered to be a wonder ingredient for skincare.

Currently, seven of The Breakout Hack’s skincare lifesavers are available at Boots, with prices ranging from £12.99 to £21.99. Included in this selection are some of the brand’s standout formulas, such as the Spot Cream and Spot Cleanser.

Priced at £15.99, the Spot Cream is touted as a hydrating, non-drying cream formulated to target spot-inducing bacteria while promoting overall skin clarity. It reduces redness and works to prevent further breakouts without the use of harsh acids or peroxide.

Meanwhile, the Spot Cleanser, retailing at £12.99, is a moisturising formula that eliminates dead skin cells, breaks down surplus oil, thoroughly purifies the skin, and reduces the visibility of pores and blackheads – all whilst safeguarding the skin barrier.

Pimple patches have surged in popularity amongst Gen-Z beauty enthusiasts, and The Breakout Hack’s Multi-Size Pimple Patches, £12.99, sell one every minute worldwide. The multi-sized hydrocolloid patches are formulated to tackle blemishes of various shapes and sizes, discourage spot-picking, and shield from external aggressors.

The patches assist in absorbing pus and diminishing redness overnight, whilst niacinamide and ascorbic acid work to reduce the visibility of post-acne pigmentation.

Additionally, The Inkey List offers their Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches, which feature a low concentration of salicylic acid at 0.4% and are clinically proven to reduce breakouts within four hours whilst remaining virtually invisible on all skin tones. A pack of 22 patches costs £9 at LookFantastic.

Despite being newly launched in the UK, The Breakout Hack has already amassed numerous glowing reviews on the Boots website. The £21.99 Rebound Barrier Support Serum has achieved a near-perfect 4.8 star rating from over 600 reviews.

One reviewer commented: “I’m onto my third bottle, it’s a fave. I use it to calm my skin down when it is inflamed or irritated, or when I want something gentle and nourishing.”

Another customer enthused: “I love this serum so much. I use it AM and PM as a base for other skincare, and it’s been fantastic for my rosacea – my skin feels hydrated and plump after using.”

Discussing the pimple patches, a satisfied buyer commented: “I love that they come in different sizes so I can cover small spots or larger breakouts. They stick well overnight and really help reduce redness and swelling by the next morning.”

Although one remarked: “Their certainly not a magical cure and it’s you have a lot of spots you go through them very quickly.”

Among the latest additions to The Breakout Hack range is the Rebound Skin Milk Activated Cica Toner, priced at £14.99. Enriched with calming cica, this creamy essence should be gently pressed into the skin following cleansing and prior to applying serum, moisturiser or SPF, helping to reduce redness, ease irritation and fortify the skin’s protective barrier.

This makes it particularly suitable for individuals dealing with breakouts, rosacea or similar skin concerns.

One buyer praised the toner, stating: “I have very acne prone skin and terrible hormonal acne that’s very sensitive to a lot of moisturising products, but this is so light and sinks in immediately and makes my skin feel so plumped and hydrated! ! And even better, it doesn’t break me out! Will be repurchasing.”

Another declared: “this stuff is honestly amazing, forever getting compliments on how amazing my skin is looking, I’m about 6 months into using this and I won’t stop.”

Anyone who has grappled with blemish-prone skin during their formative years will understand the frustration, embarrassment and desperation it can cause. I spent more than ten years seeking a solution, and The Breakout Hack is precisely the brand I yearned for during my teenage years.

Had it been available back then, I’m certain my relationship with my skin would have been different.

The Breakout Hack is now accessible in selected Boots stores across the country and online.