Eucerin ProACNE Solution Triple Effect Serum

PIH is a type of hyperpigmentation of the skin that is mainly triggered by the way skin regenerates after inflammation. It can affect the face and body, typically especially UV-exposed areas, and appears as flat spots of hypercoloration. These range in color from pink to red, brown or black, depending on skin tone and the depth of hypercoloration. The root cause is increased melanin production, the pigment that defines the color of a person’s skin, which is stimulated by inflammatory factors. The blemish triggers melanocytes – the melanin-producing cells – to release excessive melanosomes (pigment granules). The excessive pigment granules darken and discolor the formerly stressed area. Once initial blemishes have subsided, spots of hypercoloration, so-called post-acne marks, can remain.

Additionally, sun exposure can aggravate PIH symptoms, darkening the affected patches and prolonging the time it takes for them to fade. Most acne-related PIH will eventually fade over time, but it can take several years or even a decade until it is fully gone*.

^{*Abad-Casintahan, F. et al., “Frequency and Characteristics of Acne-Related Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation.” J Dermatol. 2016; 43:826–828.}

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is common among many acne sufferers since a root cause for acne is inflammation. Those post-acne marks left behind after blemishes subsided can be even more aggravating and emotionally distressing than acne itself. Men and women are equally susceptible, and all skin types can get post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, although it is more prevalent in darker tones of skin, with over 65% of the Black Americans experiencing it, followed by 53% of Hispanics, 47% of Asians and 25% of Caucasians*. This means that we need effective and tolerable skincare fighting both blemishes and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation for consumers all over the world.

^{* Kaufman et al., Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018; 19:489–503, Perkins et al., JEADV. 2011; 25(9):1054–1060.}

PIH is mainly triggered by the way skin regenerates after an inflammation. To prevent it, though there are no guarantees, avoid picking at or pressing your pimples. The best prevention is, however, to target acne-related PIH at the root, meaning preventing blemishes from appearing and getting inflamed. Use a mild but effective cleanser and use light, non-comedogenic skincare with anti-inflammatory ingredients, like licochalcone A and keratolytic salicylic acid, which are used in our Eucerin ProACNE Solution Triple Effect Serum to prevent pores from clogging. 

Additionally, sun exposure can aggravate PIH symptoms, so we recommend sun protection. Limit the time you spend in the sun and keep out of the sun during its most intense hours. Wear protective clothing and sun hats whenever possible and apply a sun protection factor of at least 30, to protect marks from darkening and help prevent new marks from appearing by using specialized skincare like Eucerin ProACNE Solution Day Bright Mattifying. 

Thiamidol is an exclusive and patented active ingredient developed during a 10-year research project. It reduces post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by addressing the root cause, the production of melanin in the skin. Many known ingredients have undergone testing on mushroom enzymes alone rather than on human skin enzymes. 
The efficacy of Thiamidol in our Eucerin ProACNE Solution Triple Effect Serum has been demonstrated in real-life testing. Clinical trials* and other responses have shown that our formulation effectively reduces post-acne marks.

^{*Clinical efficacy study, 12 weeks, 2× daily use, 40 female and male patients, 18–40 years of age.}

In addition to Thiamidol to reduce persistent post-acne marks and prevent their appearance, it contains salicylic acid to reduce blemishes as well as licochalcone A to prevent new blemishes from appearing. Thanks to the sebum regulation technology, the formulation leaves the skin with a long-lasting, matte and non-shiny look. In addition, the serum is non-comedogenic and has a decidedly light feel on application.

To optimally suit the formulation of the active ingredients Thiamidol and salicylic acid for blemish-prone skin, we tried to avoid lipids and make the product extra light. It contains alcohol to make the active ingredients bioavailable and further support the anti-bacterial efficacy of the formulation. Alcohol does not harm the skin, but a slight stinging sensation may occur, which is harmless and will fade after minutes. Extensive clinical testing of the product guarantees its good suitability and safety for blemish-prone skin.

The products have enhanced efficacy when used in combination. This is one of the findings of our product-in-use study, among other user responses. In an eight-week study, three groups of 100 volunteers each tested the products: one group used Eucerin ProACNE Solution Triple Effect Serum alone, one group used Eucerin ProACNE Solution Day Bright Mattifying alone, while the third group used a regimen of the two products in combination. After eight weeks, the scores for the regimen cell were the strongest – after regular usage twice daily, volunteers even agreed that it has the highest efficacy of any solution they’ve ever tried* In fact, 95% of users say the combination finally beats their post-acne marks*.

*Product in use study with 100 volunteers, eight weeks of regular usage twice daily.

The main active agent of Eucerin ProACNE Solution Triple Effect Serum, Thiamidol, has a direct effect on melanin synthesis, which causes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. As a rule, post-acne marks fade over time, but can take several years or even a decade to disappear. Eucerin ProACNE Solution post-acne marks products support and accelerate the process. Once they have vanished, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation spots are unlikely to reappear. At the same time, to prevent new post-acne marks from appearing, we recommend to keep using the products even after present marks have faded. Keep using the products as long as the skin is prone to blemishes. 

No, there is no issue regarding the products in combination with sun exposure. At the same time, skin areas prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation should limit sun exposure, as sun exposure can aggravate symptoms, darkening the affected patches and prolonging the time it can take for them to fade. This is why we recommend using our Eucerin ProACNE Solution Day Bright Mattifying in addition to the Triple Effect Serum since it includes broad-spectrum ultraviolet radiation filters that protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

Yes, you can use it underneath your make-up.

Yes, you can use the Triple Effect Serum underneath a face mask. In fact, 91% of the volunteers in our product in use study* confirmed it is suitable to be worn with a mask.

88% of the volunteers also confirmed the product prevents blemishes coming from wearing face masks frequently. Learn more about Maskne (mask-induced blemishes) on the Maskne page.

*100 volunteers, eight weeks of regular usage twice daily.

The active ingredient Thiamidol is used in both product lines, but for different reasons. In Eucerin ProACNE Solution Triple Effect Serum, its purpose is to reduce post-acne marks. In addition, the range contains agents to reduce acne and control shiny skin. The Spotless Brightening line, on the other hand, is not designed to address acne. For these reasons, we recommend the Spotless Brightening line for those who suffer from hyperpigmentation and the ProACNE Solution line for those suffering from acne-prone skin with post-acne marks.