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Acne-Safe Skincare Recommendations
25
items I have dry and acne-prone skin. I love using the acneclinicnyc.com’s pore-clogging ingredient checker when I am shopping for skincare. It’s a great resource and will highlight potential or known comedogenic skincare ingredients. This is my comprehens...
Sections
6
Cleansers
Serums
Moisturizers
SPF
Facial Mists
Toners and Essence
Cleansers
Derm-developed and great for dry skin or anyone trying to improve their skin barrier. Contains hyaluronic acid for a hydration boost.
Facile Bare Necessity Hyaluronic Acid Gentle Foaming Cleanser
This is a great cleanser because it works as both steps of your double cleansing routine. It’s foamy and you can apply to dry or wet skin. Super gentle but great at removing SPF and makeup.
Great Skin Double Cleanse
This is an ultra-gentle cleanser and one of my top drugstore picks. My skin just loves this one—great find at $15.
Thayers Remedies Hydrating Milky Face Wash - 8 fl oz
Ultra gentle, so this is also a great recommendation for sensitive skin. The packaging is refillable, which is another reason to love her. This is my go-to cleanser for travel—which is my skin is the most reactive.
The Outset Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser
This one has a really nice texture that melt makeup off easy peasy. Doesn’t leave any residue behind and leaves skin feeling nourished instead of stripped. This one has a great price point for the quality and I love that I can grab it on my Target ru...
Prequel Pre Gleanse Facial Cleansing Balm - 2.9oz
Serums
This serum makes a huge difference in my skin. It’s an acne-safe and sun-safe Vitamin C alternative. My hyperpigmentation improved with this in my routine and it also makes my skin glow!
Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum - Caudalie
The concentration of L-ascorbic acid in this formula is perfectly balanced between effective and non-irritating. The lactic acid in this formula increases antioxidant absorption!
Vitamin C Lactic Acid Firming Serum - Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
This is another vitamin C/AHA combo but this one contains glycolic acid to gently exfoliate and refine texture. It took me about a month to see results—patience is non-negotiable, but worth it!
Multi-Active Glow Serum: Vitamin C + AHA Smoothing
A great budget pick for a hyaluronic acid serum. The largest size is $12 and it contains less than 10 ingredients.
Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum - 1 fl oz
This serum is actually incredible. I don’t usually see super obvious results from a hyaluronic acid serum—just some added hydration for my very dry skin. This one made me glow. It’s totally worth the hype (a little more pricey than some of my budget ...
Experiment Super Saturated Ultra Hydrating Serum
This is safe for acne-prone skin AND eczema! A great hydrating and plumping serum that also contains Japanese goldthread root, which has antioxidant properties. I use this in the AM but could definitely be used twice daily.
Great Skin Serum
Moisturizers
Great price point on this one (around $16). You can use this as a 15 minute mask and wash it off—or you can wear it overnight. I find this nourishing for my dry skin
COSRX Rice Overnight Spa Mask 2.02oz Niacinamide
A cult classic for a reason! This is an especially good one for anti-aging and dry skin. I love the base this creates under makeup.
Extreme Cream Anti-Aging, Firming, & Lifting Refillable Moisturizer
A must-have for anyone with eczema or a damaged skin barrier. This is ultra rich and soothing. My acne significantly improved after I started using this.
Skin Mercy Recovery Cream
A rich moisturizer perfect for the dry skin girlies. I like this one for bedtime since it’s a little heavier but with use it for AM and PM in colder months. Sofie Pavitt is the acne whisperer for sure!
Sofie Pavitt Face Omega Rich Moisturizer
An amazing moisturizer that combines your vitamin C and moisturizing steps for your AM routine. Contains no pore-clogging ingredients and helps minimize your product lineup. Great option for anyone with hyperpigmentation.
Major Fade Active Seal Vitamin C + Glutathione Moisturizer ...
SPF
Sunscreen is the number one product category that will break me out. This is a newer release and I really love it (plus everything else from this brand!)
Screentime Non-Comedogenic Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30 - SOFIE PAVITT FACE
Acne-safe sunscreen with the added benefit of collagen peptides, which help protect against sun damage and correct early signs of aging. This one has a serum-like consistency that feels lightweight on the skin.
Better Screen™ UV Serum SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen with ...
This one comes in two shade options—the original is a peachy-pink color, which is intended to neutralize the whitecast that zinc typically leaves behind. The sunlit version has a radiant, sun-kissed finish. Both contain acne-safe ingredients!
Kosas DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 with ...
An amazing tinted option with acne-safe ingredients. As someone with hyperpigmentation, I love a tinted SPF because the iron oxides give better protection against visible light and blue light.
tint & PROTECT medium coverage serum foundation with SPF 50+
Another great tinted option—I use a lot of Tower 28 products in my routine and really enjoy the brand. The non-tinted SPF from Tower 28 (the SOS FaceGuard) contains Cetyl Palmitate, which is not considered safe for acne-prone skin—so I tend to go wit...
SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation - Tower 28 Beauty
This sunscreen is great quality for a great price point. I think a lot of acne-safe SPF falls on the pricier side, which can make people more reluctant to reapply as often as they should. At under $20, this one doesn’t hurt to repurchase!
The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum Sunscreen PA++++
Facial Mists
Did you know this is the only Rhode product that is acne safe? Yup—I checked them all. Such a great refresher for dry skin!
glazing mist
Toners and Essence
I truly love everything from this brand. This one is versatile and effective. I primarily use this as an essence, after toning, in the morning. I also like to use this under a sheet mask. This just seems to enhance my whole routine!
AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Hydrating Milky Cream Mist
I am excited that this brand just launched at Sephora. I use these daily in my morning routine and I find them to be gentle but effective. I have noticed improvement in my skin texture after adding these to my routine. Bonus that the pads are heart-s...
The Porefect Pad - Yepoda