As someone who's death with stubborn acne, I know how overwhelming skincare can feel. This list is full of products that actually made a difference for me – they're gentle, effective, and won't make your skin feels worse when you're trying to clear i...
Sections
6
🧼 Cleansers
💧 Serums & Spot Treatments
🌙 Retinoids
🧴 Moisturizers
☀ Sunscreen
Masks & Extras
🧼 Cleansers
Getting clean without stripping your skin is key. These are the face washes I trust when my skin is breaking out but also feeling sensitive.
Gentle but effective – it cleans my skin without making it feel dry. Great for oily or combo acne-prone skin.
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
Feels fresh, controls oil, and leaves my skin ready for treatment steps.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Cleanser
Gentle but leaves my skin smooth, never irritated.
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Salicylic Acid plus a fresh scent; it helps keep my forehead and nose clear.
Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash (Pink Grapefruit)
Super lightweight foam that calms down redness while cleansing
Aveena Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser
💧 Serums & Spot Treatments
This is where the heavy lifting happens – unclogging pores, calming redness, and keeping new breakouts from forming.
Helps with oil control and makes spots heal faster. Affordable and effective!
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Iconic for a reason – smooths texture, reduces congestion, and keeps my skin clearer.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Clears out clogged pores before they turn into full breakouts. A tiny amount works wonders!
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Targets stubborn, red pimples and helps them shrink fast. Layers well under moisturizer.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
It seems weird, but dab it on and pimples shrink overnight.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
These little pimple patches are lifesavers when I get a big one before an event.
Hero Mighty Patch
🌙 Retinoids
Retinoids aren't instant – they're the long game. These OTC options helped reduce my breakouts and smooth bumpy skin when I used them consistently.
My top long-term acne control. It prevents new pimples from forming and evens my texture over time.
Differin Gel (Adapalene 0.1%)
Another solid adapalene option that's easy on the skin and effective at stopping breakouts before they start.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel
A gentler retinol alternative that helped with texture and leftover bumps without crazy irritation.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinol 2% Emulsion
🧴 Moisturizers
Even oily/acne-rpone skin need moisture. These hydrate, repair, and calm my skin after treatments.
Lightweight, contains niacinimide and ceramide to calm irritative and rebuild the barrier overnight!
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM
Great in the morning for calming redness and keeping skin balanced if you're using actives.
Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF25
The cool gel texture feels so good, especially after using actives, and doesn't make me shiny.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Smoothies and restores the barrier with a lightweight finish.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Calms down redness after using treatments.
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion
☀ Sunscreen
SPF protects the results of your acne work and prevents post-inflammatory darkening. These don't cause breakouts for me.
My holy grail – feels invisible and even helps with redness.
EltaMD UV Clear Facial SPF 46
Clear, smooth, doubles as a primer for makeup days.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Serious protection without being heavy.
Paula's Choice Youth-Extending SPF 50
So easy for on-the-go application. Not greasy and actually controls my oil.
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick
High coverage but no white cast or greasy finish.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 60
Gentle, hydrating, and perfect if I'm using acne meds.
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50
Masks & Extras
When my skin needs extra love… These calm, clear, or soothe breakouts when I feel them coming.
The deep clean I need when my skin feels congested.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
My “save me” mask when I'm breaking out badly.
Origins Out Of Trouble 10 Minute Mask
Red face after, but smoother skin by the next day!
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Gentle, but keeps my T-zone way less oily.
Innisfree Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
Stick-on patches that flatten angry pimples overnight.
