$90 Face Cleanser? Acne-Fighting Skincare Products That are Worth The Money
My skin and I have had a rocky relationship. For the last four years, I’ve been struggling to get my adult acne under control – and after a lot of tears, trials, and tribulations, I’m finally confident in where my skin is at. It can be expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating trying to figure out what products actually work. That’s why I rounded up the acne products that actually changed my skin and are worth your hard-earned coin.
Cleanser
Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser ($90)
I’ve always been skeptical of “natural” skincare products, which is why I was so surprised by how well Tata Harper’s Clarifying Cleanser ($90) cleared up my acne. It’s a foaming gel cleanser that lathers up to a luxurious foam texture and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean, but not stripped. My pores immediately felt cleaner and my complexion looked brighter after the first time I used it. After two weeks of consistent use, I noticed fewer breakouts and my skin texture improving. So what makes this stuff so good? It has plant-derived lactic and salicylic acid, both of which are dermatologist-approved acne-fighting ingredients. On days I want a deeper clean, I pair it with my PMD Cleansing Brush ($99).
Serum
Naturium Niacinamide 12% Plus Zinc 2% ($16)
If I was stranded on a desert island and could only bring one serum, it would be Naturium’s Niacinamide Plus Zinc Serum. This lightweight, power-packed serum has niacinamide and zinc PCA which help control oil and sebum production, reduce breakouts, and fade hyperpigmentation. I’ve used it every morning for six months and it has transformed my skin from oily and acne-prone to normal and balanced. Now that my acne has cleared up, I use it to deal with the hyperpigmentation, congestion, and skin texture my acne left behind.
*NATURIUM is Mixed Makeup Founder Susan Yara’s skincare brand.
Moisturizer
SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture Lightweight Pore-Minimizing Moisturizer ($63)
The SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture Moisturizer ($63) is perfectly balanced – it’s hydrating, but doesn’t feel heavy. It’s a wonderful everyday moisturizer because the formula is lightweight, absorbs quickly into the skin, and my sunscreen applies smoothly on top. I find that my skin is less oily on days when I wear this moisturizer and after using it for a few months, I notice I have less breakouts and blackheads. It’s a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way and the whipped cream texture and heavy glass jar make my morning routine feel extra luxurious.
spot treatment
Kate Somerville EradiKate ($31)
There’s a reason this spot treatment has a cult-following: it works. I’ve tested many spot treatments that promised to shrink my zits overnight only to be let down, but EradiKate ($30) does the job. The star ingredient is sulfur, which heals active pimples and stops new breakouts in their tracks. I use it overnight on my whiteheads and cystic acne and by the morning they are significantly reduced in size, brought to the surface, or completely gone. The only down side is it smells like rotten eggs, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make in the pursuit of clear skin.
MASKS
Fresh Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Face Mask ($58)
Clay masks are a must-have, especially for my oily, acne-prone skin. The Fresh Umbrian Clay Mask ($58) is one I always have stocked. The hero ingredient in this mask is Umbrian clay, which helps to balance, purify, and clarify the skin without over-drying. It sucks up oil and impurities like a magnet and leaves me with hydrated, clarified skin. When my acne is flaring up I like to use this mask all over to detox and bring impurities to the surface. It can also be used as a spot treatment and helps shrink zits overnight.
What skincare products have helped you with your acne? Tell me in the comments!
