ROADTEST: 'Does the new buzzy skincare ingredient 5Beta-Scymnol actually help acne? I tried it for 4 weeks.'

Acne. Who knew a four-letter word I encountered as a pre-pubescent teen would continue to haunt me well into my 30s?

While I was fortunate enough to have minimal breakouts throughout my teenage years (and distinctly recall wondering why acne was perceived as such a scary thing), that all changed when I entered my 20s.

It was like all the acne I should've had in my teen years caught up with me and I was riddled with constant breakouts. With lots of trial and error I managed to get my breakouts under control and was pleasantly surprised at how clear my skin became when I got pregnant with my first baby at 25.

Naively, I thought my clear skin would continue on after pregnancy, and for the most part it did, with only the occasional pre-Aunt Flo hormonal breakouts. However, my bout with clear skin was short-lived and my skin broke out badly when I fell pregnant with my second at 28.

The products I had on hand could not keep my pregnancy breakouts at bay and once again I found myself on a journey of trial and error until I found the combination that kept my skin clear. Little did I know my new combination for clear skin would be rendered useless when I tipped into the new decade.

At first, I didn’t notice my breakouts were getting worse, as my skin slowly adjusted to the fact I was no longer in my 20s. Each month I would breakout just before Aunt Flo’s arrival but it was always manageable. However, two months ago I woke up to three giant, sore, under-the-skin pimples, only days before a pretty important event.

I immediately went on the offensive and bought a mountain of products to slather myself with, in hopes those soon-to-be-volcanic pimples would melt away. Unfortunately, I was out of luck and they erupted the day before. (Have you ever put makeup on a freshly erupted pimple? It is *not* a vibe.)

Fast forward to four weeks ago, a week before Aunt Flo’s impending arrival and the inevitable hormonal breakouts I always expect her to bring, I began my trial of The Skin Shark Clearing Serum and Spot Treatment.

The Skin Shark's hero ingredient is 5Beta-Scymnol which lead me to a few key questions, including a) what the heck is that? and b) can it actually be as life-changing to us acne girls as they say? 

Here's everything you need to know. 

What is 5Beta-Scymnol?

As someone who is (unfortunately) very experienced in acne, and has tried a plethora of products in attempts to control and prevent breakouts, I had never heard of 5Beta-Scymnol before. What is it, you ask? Well, it's an ingredient that took The Skin Shark over a decade to develop which mimics shark bile salts which help reduce free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable molecules caused by stress and various outside sources such as pollution, poor nutrition and chemicals. Although free radicals are not inherently bad, when there is an imbalance, it can cause our bodies to react, such as breaking out.

Why shark bile salts?

The Skin Shark were inspired by the shark's immune system. Why sharks? Well, thanks to 400 years of evolution, they are potent free radical fighters. The Australian brand was able to replicate the power of the shark bile salts through their vegan, man-made ingredient, 5Beta-Scymnol.

The Skin Shark Clearing Serum and Spot Treatment's formulas use this fancy ingredient. Combined with totarol (an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory ingredient from the native New Zealand Totara tree with antioxidant properties), bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative), contacticel (an anti-inflammatory which reduces squalene oxidation) and D pathenol (an anti-inflammatory that is a type of Vitamin B), The Skin Shark Clearing Serum and Spot Treatment are the perfect products to tackle breakouts.

Image: Supplied.

Both products help fight bacteria, soothe the skin and control excess oils all while boosting hydration and keeping your skin nice and plump. The combination of ingredients including a plant-based retinol alternative and vitamin B also means The Skin Shark’s products have anti-ageing and anti-acne benefits, plus regenerative qualities such as evening skin tone and lightening dark spots. 

The verdict

Now that you know all about the incredible ingredients found in The Skin Shark’s products, I bet you’re dying to know how I went with them.

Well, as predicted a week before Aunt Flo arrived, a few of her hormonal friends started popping up – a precursor to the volcanic eruptions she likes to crescendo to as she announces her entrance.

As the days progressed, the little breakouts were quickly melted away with a combination of the Clearing Serum and Spot Treatment used twice daily. 

However, I soon felt the familiar soreness on my right cheekbone and the centre of my left cheek which meant that the volcanic kind of spots were well on their way. At this point I was already impressed there were only two sore spots, but I was even more impressed when the sore spot on my cheekbone completely dissipated overnight. 

Having had three volcanos erupt on my previous cycle, I knew how the spot on my cheek was going to progress. What I didn’t know was how quickly it was going to recover thanks to these guys. 

I *drowned* that sucker in the Spot Treatment which I applied to each spot three times a day the moment I felt its presence. I love that both The Skin Shark’s products utilises a plant-based retinol which means you can apply it morning and night without worrying about the sun sensitivity factor, which spot treatments I’ve used in the past have had meaning you can only use those brands once a day at night.

From left to right: Beginning, middle and end of the trial. Image: Supplied.

You can see the progress the volcano went through from freshly popped (yes, I know I shouldn't but I caved) and how it healed over the course of the trial. I was also stoked to see how the products work at evening skin tone and lightening dark spots, which I desperately need as I’m prone to acne scarring.

Seeing how well The Skin Shark Clearing Serum and Spot Treatment has worked the last four weeks, you bet your bottom dollar these two products have now cemented their place in my morning and night routine.

The Skin Shark has harnessed over 400 million years of shark evolution and biotechnology to help improve the appearance of acne. Shop the range now. 

Feature Image: Supplied.