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Skincare essentials for acne - products that actually work!
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items I’ve had acne on and off for most of my life, and know how damaging to your confidence it can be. I know how difficult it can be to find products that help and actually work, so I’ve compiled some of my favourite acne products that are effective and ...
Sections
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Spot treatments
Cleansers
Acne treatments
Exfoliants
Post-acne Treatments
Body Acne
Spot treatments
Whether you need to cover a pimple or want a good spot treatment to heal and/or get rid of your zit, these are my favourites!
My all time favourite pimple patch brand and product. I tend to pop my pimples (don’t recommend) and always use these afterwards and it cuts my healing time in half. They’re also great for drawing out the gunk in the pimple to allow it to heal faster...
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch™ Original Pimple Patch
Such a great option for a spot treatment and easily accessible! Shrinks pimples like it’s no one’s business and is still not too strong. Love this one!
Effaclar Duo+M Acne Treatment with Salicylic Acid - La Roche-Posay | Ulta Beauty
The same as Hero’s mighty patch but invisible! You can hardly detect these patches once applied and are super easy to wear with makeup. Does exactly what mighty patch does but perfect for days you don’t want the patch visible!
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+
A recent favourite of mine, perfect for deep under the skin blemishes or any pimple. Has small micro darts that help decrease the swelling and size of your blemish. Definitely recommend these for those prone to cystic acne!
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Blemishes Patches
Shrinks my pimples way faster than using without! Reduces the swelling and size of my pimples pretty fast and I am super impressed by it.
EradiKate® 10% Sulfur Acne Treatment
Recently tried this a few months ago and love it! Helps to dry out and decrease swelling of pimples, and is super cool to use. Doesn’t stink like traditional sulfur products and actually works!
The Ordinary Sulfur 10% Powder to Cream Concentrate
Cleansers
Whether you want a medicated cleanser with actives or a gentle cleanser, these are the ones I recommend! If you choose a medicated cleanser I recommend starting slow with only a few times a week at first as to not over strip your skin!
Great option for a medicated cleanser that is more gentle than the 10% version. Perfect for beginners or those with more sensitive skin with acne as it’s not too strong but still helps!
Acne Creamy Wash with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide - PanOxyl
The stronger version of their other cleanser! This stuff can be super effective at helping acne with 10% benzoyl peroxide. Start slow at first because it can be drying with the actives in it. A really great option if you want your cleanser to be targ...
3.0 oz Acne Foaming Wash with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide - PanOxyl
If you’re already using actives in your routine like acids or retinoids, I definitely recommend going with a gentle cleanser as to not add any extra irritation. This cleanser is a cream cleanser and super gentle on the skin. Leaves the skin feeling c...
La Roche Posay - Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser
My go-to cleanser for every day use! It’s a very gentle cream cleanser that effectively cleanses without leaving the skin feeling tight or stripped. I was shocked by how effective it was for a cream cleanser, and it’s quickly become my go-to!
Remove Makeup & Refresh Skin with Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Acne treatments
These are some of my most loved acne treatments that are either over the counter or prescribed. Retinoids are my favourite for targeting acne, and these ones are easily accessible. Or if you want a tailored regime, I gotchu!
An over the counter retinoid that is still in very effective. This is a level up from retinols, and is a form of retinoids. This retinoid is a more gentle one but is great at clearing acne whether it’s pimples or little bumps. And doesn’t break the b...
Differin Gel Adapalene 0.1%
The same as Differin gel but by La Roche posay. Same strength, but has some added good ingredients to help make it more gentle. Another amazing option for clearing stubborn acne that won’t budge!
Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid Acne Treatment - La Roche-Posay
If you’re in the US and are able to afford it, Curology is an amazing option! They tailor your treatment to your needs and issues, and make you your own special treatment and treatment plan. They can give you retinoids, acids, etc, and provide you wi...
Curology
Great option if your skin can handle prescription retinoids yet or to dip your toes in! This is stronger than retinols but still gentle enough. Feels really nice on the skin, not heavy, and actually helps smooth and improve acne over time!
Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% - Naturium
An eye serum that can be used all over the face. It’s stronger than retinol yet super gentle on the skin for a retinal. Can easily be used all over the face as the composition is great and not heavy or greasy. Such a great option!
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal
Exfoliants
If you’d rather avoid retinoids, chemical exfoliants/acids are also a great option to help acne. These dissolve dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. There’s AHA’s and BHA’s which is dependent on what you prefer and your needs. These are my favo...
Such an amazing chemical exfoliant! Has both AHA and BHA while also having soothing and hydrating ingredients to help mitigate any irritation or dryness. It’s loved for a reason!
Zero Pore Pad - medicube
Another great exfoliant that got popular for a reason! It gets deep in the pores to dissolve oil and gunk, and leaves skin so smooth. Can be strong so start slow!
SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Post-acne Treatments
Whether you’re trying to heal pimples or get rid of red marks left over, these are my all time favourites I highly recommend!
If you’re unable to get azelaic acid as a prescription, this is such an amazing option. Azelaic acid is such a powerhouse and super underrated! Gently exfoliates, reduces redness, and keeps skin smooth. Perfect for helping fade stubborn post acne mar...
Naturium Azelaic Acid 10%
My holy grail for healing post acne spots. Whether you just used a pimple patch or you popped it, this stuff is magic. It’s very nourishing and you just need to massage some on the spot(s) for a few days and it helps speed up healing x10!
Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm - The Post-Blemish Recovery Cream
This stuff is magic. You just roll some of this on dark spots daily and it fades marks so fast, I was shocked. Super easy to apply and the applicator feels really nice as well. This product is perfect for fading dark spots or post acne marks.
Hero Cosmetics Dark Spot Correct
Body Acne
Don’t think I’ve left this out! Body acne is so damaging to a persons self-confidence, and it can be hard finding products that help. I’ve tried many but these ones are products that have actually helped and been effective at treating body acne!
Such a convenient product to use. No hassle, just spray some of this on areas you break out on your body, moisturize, and you’re good to go! Shrinks pimples super fast and isn’t messy. I recommend having a window open when using as this can cause som...
Acne Banishing Body Spray - PanOxyl
Love this body wash for acne or bumpy texture. Isn’t overly drying and really does help smooth out any bumps or acne. This body wash is always my go-to for treating body acne + the PanOxl spray!
The Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash