Buzz
1. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant activates upon contact with water, releasing papain and salicylic acid to tackle acne on normal, oily, or combination skin. The inclusion of colloidal oatmeal soothes the skin, helping to reduce redness and irritation. It also works wonders on fine lines, minimizes pores, and enhances your skin’s brightness—two problems solved in one go. Yes, please!
Raving review: "My acne cleared up! A couple of years ago, I had my face threaded and broke out instantly. I developed acne scars on my cheeks and my skin became unexpectedly acne-prone. Then, I found this product, and let me tell you, IT'S A GAME CHANGER! After using the Daily Microfoliant, I saw both my acne and the scars fading away. The best part is that just a small amount goes a long way! Pair it with the cleanser for perfect skin!" —Gaitri
Available on Sephora or Amazon for $18+ (in mini or regular sizes).
2. Alternatively, Paula's Choice Liquid Exfoliant tackles the root cause by penetrating deep into the pores to remove oil, dirt, and debris with its 2% BHA formula. Many reviewers have praised its ability to clear acne and reduce breakouts. It also exfoliates dead skin, reduces pore size, and smooths wrinkles. Talk about double-duty benefits!
3. Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence soothes irritated skin and helps to prevent breakouts with its glycolic acid, allantoin, and of course, snail mucin formula. Plus, it revives dehydrated skin and helps reduce dullness. It's a cult favorite for a reason — it's perfect for ALL skin types, even if you have oily skin!
4. Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment fights pimples and breakouts with its sulfur formula. Just take a cotton swab, dab it wherever needed, and leave it on overnight.
5. Tower 28's SOS Daily Rescue Spray utilizes hypochlorous acid, a natural ingredient your skin produces, to protect against bacteria, calm redness, and soothe irritation—even during intense breakouts. It refreshes and revitalizes your face when your skin starts feeling irritated and in need of urgent care.
Spray onto your skin both morning and night, or whenever it needs a little extra care.
Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned brand that caters to sensitive skin. Their products are free from ingredients that cause irritation, and they’re also vegan and cruelty-free.
Highly recommended: "Best beauty product EVER (seriously). A friend suggested this when I was struggling with mask acne, and she was spot on—this bottle of magic is a game changer. I've upgraded from the mini to the full size...because this is literally the only thing that keeps my skin clear these days! LOVE LOVE LOVE!" —Amy B.
Available at Sephora or Tower 28 for $12+ (in both mini and full sizes).
6. La Roche-Posay sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays while helping prevent breakouts. This oil-free SPF 60 sunscreen is designed specifically for acne-prone skin, absorbing excess oil and reducing shine. OVER ~90,000~ dermatologists recommend this brand!
7. PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash tackles acne with its powerful benzoyl peroxide formula and is gentle enough for daily use on your body. It clears up current breakouts and helps prevent new ones from forming.
8. Mighty Patches directly target those troublesome pimples. The hydrocolloid material absorbs the impurities inside, speeding up the healing process. Plus, it covers pimples and helps you resist picking at them! You'll forget the pimple was even there after using it.
9. TonyMoly's octopus-shaped blackhead remover exfoliates your skin, clearing out whiteheads, blackheads, and other impurities that can cause breakouts. And on top of that, it's absolutely adorable!
10. Differin Retinoid gel offers the strength of a prescription medication but is available over-the-counter. It works by penetrating your pores to prevent new acne from forming. Just apply a thin layer to the affected areas once a day and let it work its magic. With over 53,000 five-star reviews, it's well-deserved praise!
11. Blume Meltdown Acne Oil nourishes skin instead of drying it out. Use it before moisturizing or mix it in for a full-face coverage. Its rosehip, blue tansy, tamanu, and black cumin seed formula helps to fight current pimples, reduce acne scars, and even helps to prevent future breakouts.
Blume is a WOC-founded business run by two sisters making period and skincare products for teens and adults alike.
Promising review: "Best oil for adult acne! My favorite acne treatment by far!! Everything else dried me out or would make my acne worse. Because my acne is hormonal, not teen acne, I reacted to all of the drying products that are so popular. This oil is super hydrating, doesn’t cause breakouts and actually helps heal my skin and improves clarity. I add a pump of it to my DIY clay face masks once a week too, and it works great in that combo. It also smells amaaaazing. Couldn’t believe my eyes!" —Sophia G.
Get it from Blume for $28+ (available in two sizes).
12. Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser helps to reduce acne breakouts and exfoliates dead skin cells that can clog pores, leading to more acne. With the combined power of tea tree leaf and salicylic acid, this cleanser will leave your face feeling fresh and rejuvenated, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and bacteria-fighting properties.
13. Diva Stuff Anti-Bacterial Pillow Mist works to eliminate acne-causing bacteria, keeping your pillows clean and sanitized. Its soothing lavender-spearmint fragrance ensures you have a peaceful sleep, knowing your bedding is not contributing to breakouts.
14. Aztec Secret Healing Clay Mask has earned rave reviews from over 20,000 customers, all giving it five stars! This powerful mask helps clear acne by deeply cleansing pores with 100% natural calcium bentonite clay. It’s not just for your face—use it on your body for all-around cleansing.
15. Radha Rosehip Oil (certified organic) helps reduce redness and acne thanks to its fatty acids. Many reviewers swear by its ability to clear up breakouts and prevent new ones. This versatile oil also aids in diminishing the appearance of fine lines, scarring, and wrinkles. Your skin will thank you for keeping it hydrated and nourished.
16. TreeActive Invisible Acne Treatment is discreet enough to wear under makeup, so no one will even know you’re using it — allowing you to carry on with your day while it works its magic. Its essential oil blend clears breakouts and blackheads, suitable for all types of acne.
17. Paula's Choice Clear Moisturizer works its magic overnight to soothe redness and irritation with licorice extract. This oil-free formula hydrates oily skin without adding any unwanted shine. It’ll 🎶 get down to business, to defeat the 🎶 ...oils.
18. If your skin tends to be dry, EltaMd AM Therapy is a great option for combating redness and inflammation. Its niacinamide and hyaluronic acid blend works wonders throughout the day, maintaining hydration and reducing flaky skin. Customers have reported improvement with both dryness and acne outbreaks!
19. For those with highly sensitive skin, Cetaphil Gentle Clear Moisturizer helps mattify while treating and preventing breakouts with a 5% salicylic acid formula. Its purpose is to protect your skin's barrier, keeping moisture locked in and harmful elements out!
