Name two active ingredients commonly used for acne-prone skin and their actions.

• A. Salicylic acid (keratolytic/exfoliant) and benzoyl peroxide (antibacterial/anti-inflammatory)
• B. Hyaluronic acid (humectant) and vitamin C (antioxidant)
• C. Lactic acid (moisturizing) and zinc oxide (sun protection)
• D. Retinol (cell turnover) and caffeine (vasodilator)

Answer: (A)

Acne-prone skin tends to improve when you address two main factors: clogged pores and bacterial inflammation. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic exfoliant that penetrates into pores and helps dissolve the sticky keratin that plugs follicles, promoting unclogging and reducing inflammation from comedones. Benzoyl peroxide acts mainly as an antibacterial agent against the acne-causing bacteria on the skin and also has anti-inflammatory effects, helping to shrink and prevent lesions. Together, these two ingredients target both pore blockage and bacterial activity, making them a common and effective pair for acne management. Other listed options don’t combine these two specific actions: they’re more focused on hydration, general antioxidant protection, or non-acne-specific actions, rather than the dual pore-unclogging and antibacterial/anti-inflammatory approach.