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How I Cleared My Acne: My Personal Skincare Routine for Breakouts
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items I know how frustrating it is to deal with acne and constant breakouts—I’ve been there. What made a difference for me was finding the right products for my acne-prone skin and sticking to them. Here’s my honest routine that really worked for me.
Sections
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🧼 Cleanser - The Foundation of Clear Skin
🌿Toner - Balancing and Calming
💧Serums - Active Ingredients for Acne
🌙 Moisturizer - Hydration Without Breakouts
🎯 Spot treatment for pimples
☀️ Non-comedogenic SPF
🧼 Cleanser - The Foundation of Clear Skin
Back when my skin was breaking out, finding the right cleanser was a game changer. I needed something that could wash away the oil and dirt without making my skin feel raw. Once I switched to a gentle but effective one, my breakouts started calming d...
When my skin was breaking out the most, this cleanser didn’t make things worse. It felt gentle but still kept my skin clean. It doesn’t leave me dry or tight, which used to be my biggest problem with cleansers.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Oily Skin
This is the one I used when my acne was at its worst. It made my skin feel really fresh and helped control the oil without stripping everything away. I still keep it in my routine for summer when I get more breakouts.
6.67 oz Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin - La Roche-Posay
Contains salicylic acid to penetrate pores and treat acne at its source, helping to prevent future breakouts
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash 9.1oz
Light, refreshing, and perfect for sensitive acne-prone skin. I used it when my skin was super irritated and it never stung
Avene Cleanance Gentle Face Wash Cleanser for Oil Control, 13.5 Fl Oz
🌿Toner - Balancing and Calming
Toners really helped me when I had acne. They kept my skin balanced, reduced redness, and made the rest of my routine work better. I switched between stronger ones when I felt more clogged and gentler ones when my skin was irritated.
This one was a game changer for me. I didn’t use it every day, but when I did, it helped unclog my pores and calm down the breakouts. I remember seeing less congestion on my forehead and chin after a couple of weeks. It stings a little at first, but ...
SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
When my skin felt the most congested, this toner really helped me. It’s not overly harsh, but it kept my blackheads under control and made my pores look cleaner. I used it mostly at night because it worked well with my acne treatments, and over time,...
Effaclar Clarifying Solution | Acne Toner
This one became my “comfort” toner when my skin was irritated or overly sensitive. I loved how soothing it felt, and it gave me hydration without making me oily. At the same time, the BHA in it still helped keep my skin clear. I remember reaching for...
Benton - Aloe BHA Skin Toner
When my breakouts were at their worst, I was scared of exfoliating — but this toner actually helped me. Using it a few times a week made my skin look less dull and I noticed that some of my stubborn acne marks faded faster. I had to be careful not to...
Glow Tonic Original Size - Exfoliating Glycolic Acid Toner
💧Serums - Active Ingredients for Acne
Okay, let me be honest – serums were the step I ignored for the longest time, and I regret it so much. Once I added the right serums into my acne-prone skin routine, everything started to change. They’re like little concentrated boosters that actuall...
This serum was my little miracle when my breakouts were everywhere. Niacinamide really helped calm the redness and made my pores look smaller, while zinc kept the oil under control. I used it daily under my moisturizer, and honestly, my skin started ...
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
Okay, this one is stronger, but wow – it worked wonders on my stubborn acne marks. It has salicylic acid which went deep into my pores, so I stopped getting those painful breakouts all the time. What I loved most was that it didn’t feel harsh, it jus...
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum, 1.0 fl ...
I know this one is technically called an exfoliant, but trust me, I used it as a serum step. It unclogged my pores better than anything else I tried, and my skin literally felt smoother overnight. I would apply it a few nights a week and it really ke...
Paula's Choice BHA Exfoliant & Serum - Skincare Solutions
This was the serum I reached for when my skin barrier was so irritated from acne treatments. It’s soothing, hydrating, and gives that little glow even when your skin feels at its worst. Propolis also helped reduce redness and made my skin less reacti...
COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule
This one helped me so much with my acne scars and texture. It has retinol but in a very gentle formula, so it didn’t freak my skin out. Over time, it really faded those dark spots that were left after breakouts. If you’re dealing with post-acne marks...
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, Niacinamide
🌙 Moisturizer - Hydration Without Breakouts
When I had acne, I was honestly scared of moisturizers. I thought they would just make my skin oilier and cause more breakouts. But the truth is — if your skin isn’t hydrated, it gets even more irritated. Finding the right lightweight, non-comedogeni...
This one is so simple but sooo effective. It’s lightweight, has niacinamide, and hydrates without clogging pores. I loved that it never felt greasy, even in summer, and it actually helped calm down redness. Honestly, it’s like a safe choice you can a...
CeraVe PM Night Facial Moisturizer 3oz
This was my go-to when my skin felt super dry from acne treatments but I didn’t want to clog my pores. It’s refreshing, light, and gives you that bouncy hydration. I remember loving it especially under makeup, because it kept my skin smooth without t...
Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 25 Water Gel
This one felt like a big glass of water for my skin. It’s soothing, lightweight, and worked perfectly when my barrier was irritated. Plus, it didn’t make me break out, which was rare for me at that time. If your skin feels tight and sensitive but you...
COSRX Oil Free Lotion with Birch Sap 100ml
🎯 Spot treatment for pimples
You know those annoying breakouts that always show up before an important day? Yeah… been there. 😅 That’s why I always keep a few spot treatments on hand. They don’t magically erase pimples overnight, but they calm them down so much faster and make ...
Okay, this literally feels like a pimple emergency product. I used it overnight whenever I had a huge, angry breakout and by morning the spot looked way calmer. It does dry things out (like the name says), but if you only use it on the actual pimple,...
Glass Bottle Drying Lotion Blemish Spot Treatment - Mario Badescu
These patches were a lifesaver! I’d stick one on a fresh pimple before bed, and by morning it would be flatter and less red. Plus, they keep me from touching my face (my biggest bad habit).
COSRX Acne Pimple Patch Hydrocolloid 3 Sizes
This one worked so well for those painful under-the-skin pimples. It’s strong but doesn’t irritate my skin, and I loved how quickly it reduced swelling
Effaclar Duo | Acne Spot Treatment
These were my go-to for daytime because they’re barely noticeable under makeup or even bare skin. They literally suck out the gunk (gross but satisfying 🤭) while protecting the spot
Mighty Patch™ Invisible+ Daytime Pimple Patch | 39 Count
☀️ Non-comedogenic SPF
Okay, I know… everyone talks about SPF, but if you have acne, you’ve probably skipped sunscreen at some point thinking it would make your skin greasy or break you out even more. I used to avoid it too until I found formulas that are lightweight, non-...
If I could recommend just one sunscreen for acne-prone skin, it would be this one. It’s a lightweight gel-cream that sinks in within seconds, no white cast, and it even has niacinamide to calm redness. You honestly can’t go wrong with it
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46 Oil-Free
It keeps shine under control almost all day and offers super strong protection so post-acne dark spots don’t get worse
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin SPF 60
The texture is like a silky primer, completely clear, and perfect under makeup. My go-to for days when I want protection and glam
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 Face Primer