‘I’m an ex Boots worker and I wish I had their £13 spot serum when I had acne’

After battling acne since age 10, I discovered The Breakout Hack at Boots

As a teenager, I tried every conceivable remedy to treat my acne-prone skin, from prescription treatments to high-street solutions. But, we’ve advanced leaps and bounds since the 2010s, and if the brands and formulas available today had been around a decade or so ago, my skincare journey would have been revolutionised.

That’s why one of the latest brands to launch in the UK – The Breakout Hack – has piqued my interest. The Breakout Hack is an Aussie brand that made its debut at Boots earlier this year. Like me, their co-founder Rachael Wilde endured a 13-year struggle with acne, which spurred her on to create a fun brand based on patented technology designed to prevent and control breakouts without compromising skin health.

Traditional spot-busting formulas often depend on what can be harsh ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, leaving skin parched and irritated. I once even suffered a severe allergic reaction to an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide product.

I started battling acne around age 10 and tried staples like Clearasil’s rapid-action pads and Clean and Clear’s oil-free moisturiser. Both relied heavily on salicylic acid, which stung upon application and left my already dry skin producing even more oil to compensate, reports the Manchester Evening News.

I experimented with prescription treatments such as the antibacterial Zineryt – which felt like applying vinegar – and, eventually, an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide product that triggered an angry, peeling reaction.

One of the most impressive aspects I spotted from this brand is that their formulations are completely free from salicylic acid, plus benzoyl peroxide. Instead, the company employs patented technology that was originally created for medical wound treatment.

This antibacterial system is engineered to break down the skin’s protective “biofilm,” and work to eliminate acne-causing bacteria, with the brand claiming it can deliver a clearer complexion in ‘as little as six weeks. ‘ Whilst these products aren’t a cure for acne, they offer a meaningful way for sufferers to manage their symptoms and maintain a positive, non-irritating routine.

Another brand which uses ingredients designed to kill the bacteria that causes blemishes is 47 Skin. Their range contains an ingredient called Silver Chitoderm, which was initially deemed a failure for cleaning water but turned out to be something of a miracle ingredient for skin care.

There are currently seven of The Breakout Hack’s skincare saviours available at Boots, ranging from £12.99 to £21.99. Among them are some of the brand’s hero formulas, including the Spot Cream and Spot Cleanser.

The £15.99 Spot Cream is said to be a hydrating, non-drying cream designed to target spot-causing bacteria while supporting overall skin clarity. It reduces redness and works to prevent further breakouts without harsh acids or peroxide.

Meanwhile, the Spot Cleanser, retailing at £12.99, boasts a hydrating formula that strips away dead skin cells, dissolves surplus oil, thoroughly cleanses the skin, and reduces the visibility of pores and blackheads – all whilst safeguarding the skin barrier.

Pimple patches have gained enormous traction amongst Gen-Z beauty enthusiasts, and The Breakout Hack’s Multi-Size Pimple Patches, £12.99, shift one every minute across the globe. The varied-sized hydrocolloid patches are crafted to tackle blemishes of every shape and size, discourage spot-picking, and shield from external irritants.

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

Elsewhere, The Inkey List have their Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches, which contain a low concentration of salicylic acid at 0.4% and are clinically proven to reduce breakouts in four hours while remaining virtually undetectable on all skin tones. A pack of 22 patches comes in at £9 at LookFantastic.

Despite being fresh to the UK market, The Breakout Hack has already been accumulating numerous glowing testimonials on the Boots website. The £21.99 Rebound Barrier Support Serum has secured a near-perfect 4.8 star rating from over 600 reviews.

One customer gushed: “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 gushed: “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.”

Speaking about the spot patches, a different buyer penned: “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.”However, one noted: “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 collection is the Rebound Skin Milk Activated Cica Toner, priced at £14.99. Packed with calming cica, this creamy formula should be gently pressed into the skin post-cleansing but before applying serums, moisturisers or sun protection, working to reduce inflammation, ease sensitivity and fortify the skin’s protective layer. This makes it particularly suitable for anyone battling blemishes, rosacea or similar skin concerns.

A purchaser shared their thoughts on the toner, saying: “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.”

Someone else 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.”

For those who’ve grown up grappling with blemish-prone skin, they’ll know all too well the frustration, embarrassment and desperation it can cause. I spent more than ten years hunting for a solution, and The Breakout Hack is precisely the brand I yearned for during my teenage years. Had it been around back then, I’m certain my relationship with my skin would have been different.