It’s no surprise I am again writing about the bane of my skincare existence – acne. But instead of just reviewing a product, I figured I would group my favorite, most effective acne fighting winners together in one post. From cleansers, to moisturizers and everything in between, these are my regular stand-bys for acne treatment and the unending war on blemishes.
Cleansers
The first step in helping me reduce breakouts is an effective cleanser that removes all makeup, dirt and grime from my face. Cleansing oils are my recommended choice because they give the skin a nice and thorough deep clean, without stripping the face of necessary oils. Leaving a small amount of oil on the face is a good thing, and often using an oil based cleanser can help to balance out the skin. Boscia Cleansing oil is an all time favorite. I often follow up a cleansing oil with a secondary cleanser aimed to help reduce bacteria or address breakouts. Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser is one I always keep around and use about 2-3 times/wk because it helps to exfoliate the skin and remove any build up from the skin’s surface.
Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil retails for $28.00 and is available at Sephora. Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser retails for $15.00 and is available at Ulta.
Toners
A toner is the one step of many skincare routines that gets overlooked or skipped, but it is the one I feel can make the most difference. Toners are designed to help balance the pH of the skin, prepare it for subsequent treatments and serums and remove any bacteria that may still be on the face. I recently came upon these First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Blemish Patrol Pads and think they are a wonder! Gentle enough to be used daily, I have found they help to reduce any breakouts I may be struggling with, soothe any irritation and prevent any future blemishes from making an unwanted appearance. I was a tad hesitant they would dry out my skin, but I am going strong after 30 days and my skin has never looked better! Now for those particularly evil times when I need to bring out the bigger guns (hormonal breakouts in particular), I substitute in my Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion a few times per week after cleansing and it does wonders to remedy any cystic or incredibly stubborn pimples that may be hanging around.
First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Blemish Patrol Pads retail for $30 and are available at Sephora. Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion retails for $15.00 and is available at Ulta.
Spot Treatments
I don’t know where I would be without spot treatments. My acne is not typically all over my entire face, but more regional, attacking the same areas over and over (and over and over). Targeting the specific area is always my first line of attack. This Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix is new to my acne treatment arsenal. The active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide and I like it for some of the stronger, cystic pimples I get around my jawline. It does burn a tad when I first apply, but it does a great job at reducing the size and depth of the blemish within the first 2-3 days. Clinique’s Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel is another new discovery for me and has been a life saver. This one is formulated with salicylic acid, goes on as a clear gel and wears beautifully under makeup! Though it can be used over the entire face, I find it best used for me as a spot treatment.
Murad Acne Spot Fix retails for $16.00 and is available at Sephora. Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel retails for $17.00 and is available at Sephora.
Moisturizers/Treatments
While my chin may be the number one spot for hormonal breakouts to set up shop, my forehead can be the place where I get smaller blemishes and often small little bumps. I use the Murad Acne Clearing Solution under my moisturizer to help address my forehead shenanigans. Formulated with retinol and salicylic acid, it does a great job at exfoliating the area and helping to clear up the area overall without causing irritation or dryness. Speaking of retinols, the REN Bio Retinoid Anti-Ageing Cream is my ultimate favorite, and while it is designed specifically to treat anti-aging concerns, I find that it is one of my holy grail products for helping me to keep my skin looking clear and blemish free. The retinol in the cream helps to exfoliate the skin, which can make the skin appear brighter and more even, but for me it has helped to remove any congestion or dead skin build up that often clogs pores and leads to breakouts.
Murad Acne Clearing Solution retails for $39.00 and is available at Sephora. Ren Bio-Retinoid Anti-Ageing Cream retails for $65.00 and is available at Sephora.
Masks
Next to cleansing, masking is my favorite skincare activity. My pore clearing masks are obviously my most used, and this REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask quickly became a staple in my routine after just one use. I have tried many similar masks that seek to detox the skin, remove debris from the pores and heal acne, but this particular mask did all of those things while still leaving my skin feeling hydrated, soft and supple. I use it all over my entire face, whereas other similar masks I use just on the areas that are prone to breakouts. My Mario Badescu Drying Mask is one I have used for years and works best on the congested area rather than the entire face. It attacks the blemishes with a vengeance, but does leave the area a bit dry after (which I then follow up with the Herbal Hydrating Serum to help balance – it truly works wonders).
REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask retails for $34.00 and is available at Sephora. Mario Badescu Drying Mask retails for $18.00 and is available on Ulta.
What are you favorite acne fighting products?
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