Pimples. Everybody gets ’em. Whether you’re visited by the occasional breakout or struggle with severe acne on a daily basis, it can be tough to sift through the hundreds of available products and treatments out there. To help you find what might work best for your skin, we’ve compiled a streamlined list of some of the best cleansers, toners, masks and more. Here’s to better skin in 2018!
Facial Cleansers
1. Clean it Zero Classic by Banila Co ($21 at Soko Glam)
If you’ve heard of K-Beauty, you likely know of “double-cleansing,” using an oil-based cleanser before a foaming cleanser to get a deeper clean. This balm-to-oil cleanser is a cult favorite.
2. Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Cleanser Acne Treatment ($38 at Nordstrom)
Sulfur and rice-bran extract work together to help treat painful bumps lurking under the skin.
3. Dark Angels ($14.95 at Lush)
If you have sensitive skin, this gentle exfoliating cleanser helps to control oil and buff away dead skin that may be clogging your pores.
Toners
4. Humphrey’s Organic Witch Hazel ($7.32 at Amazon)
This is especially great for those with sensitive skin. Use this after regular cleansing to keep your pores clear and acne at bay.
5. Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner ($14 at The Body Shop)
Tea-Tree oil is a miracle ingredient for acne, and if your skin is more on the oily side, this toner will help keep you shine-free.
Moisturizers
6. Boscia Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer ($38 at Sephora)
Even if you suffer from acne or super-oily skin, it’s absolutely necessary to moisturize your skin every day. This green-tea infused cream will soothe inflamed skin without feeling heavy or greasy.
7. The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Essence by Tony Moly ($28 at Soko Glam)
This light-weight hydrating essence can help even bumpy, textured skin become softer and smoother.
Spot Treatments
8. Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion ($17 at Ulta)
Hailed by beauty bloggers and celebrities alike, MB’s Drying Lotion is just one of those magical products that work for little bumps and whiteheads.
9. Salicylic Acid 2% Solution by The Ordinary ($5.30 at Sephora)
Quickly becoming a popular brand due to its affordability and no-fuss aesthetic, The Ordinary has gifted acne-sufferers with a spot-treatment of their own. Unlike other spot-treatments, you can layer products (and makeup) over this one without worry.
10. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment ($6.84 at Walmart)
If you’re patient, using a thin layer of this for 2-3 nights will dry up even the biggest and baddest of spots.
Masks
11. Seaweed Oil-Balancing Clay Mask ($23 at The Body Shop)
For those of you dealing with blackheads or oily skin in general, this mask is super helpful. I use it twice a week, and it’s so fun how you can actually see the impurities being pulled up from the skin!
12. Tony Moly Strawberry Nose Pack ($3.50 at Ulta)
This 3-step blackhead remover kit outperforms classic pore-strips and actually smells like strawberry candy.
Makeup
13. CoverFX Mattifying Primer ($38 at Sephora)
The added salicylic acid in this formula will help treat any spots you may have during the day, even if you’re wearing a full face over it.
14. Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation ($5.97 at Ulta)
Those with oily skin will love this medium to full coverage foundation that keeps skin looking smooth and healthy.
It’s important to keep in mind that while the products we use on our face can have an impact on the quality of our skin, our lifestyle choices certainly play a part as well. If you’ve tried everything and find that nothing works, consider talking to a dermatologist or nutritionist about the possible benefits of cutting out dairy, gluten or sugar.
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