Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Retinoids, Sulfur…girl, I didn’t come here for a science lesson! So, what do all of these ingredients have in common? They’re all active components in acne treatments! Having acne flare-ups and acne prone skin is a problem no one wants, and with hundreds of treatments, it’s hard to decide what’s best for you. So we broke it down, category by category and searched for the best acne products that you can buy OTC!
SHOP THE BEST ACNE PRODUCTS HERE
Cleansers
Try a gentle cleanser and don’t overdo it. Excessive scrubbing can worsen acne so stick to products that aren’t too abrasive. The last thing you want is to strip your skin of its natural oils, which over time can cause even more issues. These cleansers are all safe for daily use and will gently cleanse and prep your skin without damaging it.
Something that really helped with my acne was double cleansing my skin! Read more about it here. Also, don’t forget to cleanse your face in the morning and at night!
Exfoliation
There are so many different ways to exfoliate your skin, but just like with cleansing, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. Don’t over exfoliate unless you want sensitive, raw, red and irritated skin. Stick to chemical or physical exfoliants that gently remove dead skin without causing sensitivity.
Exfoliating daily with various acne fighting acids is a very effective way of removing the dead skin cells that are lodged in our pores. Gentle exfoliation is vital because it clears congestion without causing irritation and tearing up the skin.
Serums
Along with frequent exfoliation, adding a daily serum to your skin care routine will help protect your dermis from the countless pollutants that you encounter. Serums are created with a greater concentration of active ingredients which makes them more effective in penetrating and treating the skin.
Retinol
I’m sure you’ve heard that retinol is an anti-aging, anti-acne, wrinkle-reducing elixir. Retinol, which is a derivative of Vitamin A, helps stimulate the production of new skin cells and helps to fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and scars. If your skin has excess oil, big pores, blackheads, and breakouts, try retinol or consult with your dermatologist for prescription retinol.
SPF
Every single skincare post we do has a nod to adding sunscreen to your routine. Certain SPF can irritate acne, even more, so try finding an oil-free and noncomedogenic formula that will not clog your pores. Mineral sunscreen is also a great option for acne-prone skin. Read more about mineral sunscreen here.
Spot Treatments
You feel a pimple popping up. Now what? Try a super concentrated and effective spot treatment. Treat acne flare ups instantly with the help of a spot treatment that has either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in it. The tricky part is, finding a spot treatment that works without drying out your surrounding skin. These are all well rated treatments that won’t strip your skin in the process.
Light Therapy Tools
This one’s a fun treatment option that’s growing in popularity recently! LED blue and red light therapy is an FDA-approved method for treating breakouts, decreasing redness and bacteria. It’s a great option for killing acne-causing bacteria on the skin and you look cool wearing it.
Masks
There are so many masks that boast their acne treating prowess. These all have cult-like followings and recommendations, so they are definitely worth trying.
