Acne Management: The Role of Algae Peels and Exosome-Assisted Microneedling
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions we see. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.
From “just dry it out” to “it’s all hormones” to 12-step routines that strip the skin barrier into oblivion, acne advice is everywhere and often unhelpful.
That’s exactly why, in clinic, we recommend treating acne using either the Decaar Algae Peel or SkinPen microneedling combined with exosomes.
Not because they’re trendy.
Not because they promise overnight perfection.
But because they work with the skin, not against it.
Let’s break down how and why.
Acne Is Not Just a “Surface Problem”
One of the biggest mistakes in acne treatment is focusing only on what you can see.
Acne is influenced by:
• Inflammation
• Excess keratin (blocked pores)
• Bacterial imbalance
• Barrier dysfunction
• Oil production
• Hormonal and lifestyle factors
If you only attack the surface with harsh acids, scrubs, or drying products, you might suppress spots temporarily… but you’ll often make the skin more reactive, inflamed, and prone to scarring in the long run.
Effective acne treatment needs to:
• Regulate cell turnover
• Reduce inflammation
• Support barrier repair
• Improve skin healing
• Normalise the skin environment
That’s where our two core treatments come in.
The Decaar Algae Peel: Resetting Congested, Inflamed Skin
The Decaar Algae Peel is not a traditional chemical peel. There’s no acid burn, no aggressive exfoliation, and no damage-for-results mentality.
Instead, it works through biological stimulation.
What It Does
• Encourages controlled exfoliation from within
• Reduces congestion and blocked pores
• Calms inflammation
• Improves oxygenation and circulation
• Helps regulate oil production
The algae and herbal actives stimulate the skin to shed built-up keratin naturally over the following days, rather than forcing it off in one aggressive hit.
Who It’s Best For
• Active acne
• Congested or comedonal acne
• Oily or thickened skin
• Acne with redness and inflammation
• Clients who can’t tolerate harsh acids
• Suitable while pregnant or breastfeeding
Downtime is usually mild and manageable. Some clients experience redness and light shedding; others don’t visibly peel at all. Either way, the skin is being retrained, not stripped.
This makes it an excellent option for acne-prone skin that is already sensitised from years of over-treatment.
SkinPen with Exosomes: Treating Acne and Its Aftermath
Acne doesn’t stop being a problem once the spots settle.
Post-acne skin often struggles with:
• Persistent inflammation
• Slow healing
• Textural irregularities
• Post-inflammatory pigmentation
• Scarring
This is where SkinPen microneedling combined with exosomes becomes incredibly powerful.
Why SkinPen?
SkinPen is a medical-grade FDA approved microneedling device designed to create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate the skin’s natural repair processes without unnecessary trauma.
On its own, microneedling:
• Improves collagen production
• Enhances skin renewal
• Supports scar remodelling
But when paired with exosomes, the results are taken several steps further.
The Role of Exosomes
Exosomes are cell-signalling messengers involved in tissue repair and regeneration. When applied during microneedling, they help:
• Reduce inflammation
• Accelerate healing
• Improve barrier recovery
• Support healthier collagen formation
For acne-prone skin, this matters. Inflammation that lingers too long increases the risk of scarring and pigmentation. Faster, calmer healing leads to better long-term outcomes.
Who This Is Best For
• Acne scarring
• Post-inflammatory marks
• Recurrent breakouts with slow healing
• Skin that scars easily
• Clients who want long-term skin quality improvement
Why We Don’t Rely on One-Size-Fits-All Protocols
Not all acne is the same, and not all skin should be treated the same way.
Treatment choice is based on:
• Acne type and severity
• Skin sensitivity
• Barrier health
• Scarring risk
• Lifestyle and downtime tolerance
This is why proper consultation matters. Acne isn’t something we “blast”. It’s something we manage intelligently.
What We Don’t Promise (On Purpose)
We don’t promise:
• Overnight clearance
• Zero maintenance forever
• That one treatment will fix everything
Because that’s not how skin works.
What we do aim for is:
• Fewer breakouts
• Faster healing
• Reduced inflammation
• Improved skin texture
• Less scarring over time
Quiet progress beats dramatic claims every time.
Acne Treatment Works Best as a Strategy, Not a Quick Fix
In-clinic treatments are only one part of acne management.
Results improve when they’re supported by:
• Appropriate homecare
• Barrier-respecting routines
• Realistic expectations
• Consistency
• Lifestyle adjustments
Just like health optimisation, acne treatment works best when it’s targeted, reviewed, and adjusted rather than thrown at the skin indiscriminately.
The Bottom Line
• Acne is inflammatory, not just cosmetic
• Over-treating often worsens long-term outcomes
• The Decaar Algae Peel supports congested, inflamed skin without aggression
• SkinPen with exosomes improves healing, texture, and scarring risk
• Thoughtful treatment beats harsh shortcuts
Healthy skin isn’t built through punishment. It’s built through intelligent support.
We offer acne consultations and treatment plans in Cockermouth and Manchester, following a full skin assessment to ensure treatments are appropriate and tailored to the individual.