College Beauty Awards: Our 7 Favorite Beauty Products for All Things Acne
We talk a lot about acne here at Her Campus. It’s not just a beauty issue, it’s a health issue too, which means that caring for skin can get really granular. Acne-prone skin goes beyond just having blemishes. Sometimes skin is oily, or ultra-sensitive. Some days you may have trouble keeping your skin balanced, and even the lightest products feel super cakey. Maybe you’ve got a sudden smattering of flaky patches, or you’re trying to cover scarring and discoloration from years of acne treatments gone wrong. Basically, there’s no treatment that’s one-size-fits-all when it comes to acne, but you don’t need that kind of stress in your life!
If you’re feeling disillusioned with skincare and makeup for acne-prone skin, we hope these awards reinvigorate your routine, because we’ve sought out the best beauty that fights and soothes breakouts in all their forms. The results speak for themselves, with tons of gold stars from college women. Once you try these products, you can’t stop because your skin looks that good. They yield results quickly and gently, so get ready to have your world rocked (and when in doubt, talk to your dermatologist!).
1. Pore-Balance Facial Sauna Scrub
Ole HenriksenOle Henriksen, sephora.com, $28; shop now
If you've ever gone to a spa for a facial and extraction, this product mimics the same post-treatment feeling. Even for college women with sensitive skin, this doesn't make you red or patchy — but instead keeps your skin clear and breakouts under control.
2. Blemish Balm
OSEAOSEA, oseamalibu.com, $48; shop now
We cannot hype this moisturizer enough. It so lightweight that it doesn't feel like much when you put it on, but after using it twice daily, your skin will completely clear up.
3. Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
BanishBanish, banish.com, $39; shop now
Banish, a brand entirely dedicated to acne and skin issues, dreamed up this formula of pumpkin enzymes, AHAs and glycolic acid to improve skin clarity. It's a hall-of-famer, and after you try it, you'll understand why.
4. Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
DifferinDifferin, walmart.com, $24; shop now
This is a great OTC treatment to help big, deep breakouts that no mask or cleanser can fix. The results speak for themselves, as women with combo skin and severe breakouts can tell you.
6. Seamless Buffing Brush With Antibacterial Charcoal
bareMineralsbareMinerals, sephora.com, $28; shop now
This makeup brush was designed with special fibers infused with activated charcoal to help repel bacteria and to stay cleaner for longer. Obv, that's such an important factor when you're dealing with acne-prone skin. Now your makeup application will be free of bacteria that could encourage your breakout.
7. Acnedote Face & Body Scrub
Alba BotanicaAlba Botanica, target.com, $7; shop now
Meet the scrub that's tough on backne but gentle enough for daily facial cleansing. Clear skin matters on more than just your face, and this is a 2-in-1 product that covers it all.
Gina Escandon (Cal Poly ‘17)
Gina Escandon (Cal Poly ‘17)
Gina was formerly the Beauty & Culture Editor at Her Campus, where she oversaw content and strategy for the site's key verticals. She was also the person behind @HerCampusBeauty, and all those other glowy selfies you faved. She got her start in digital media as a Campus Correspondent at HC Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she graduated in 2017 with degrees in English and Theater. Now, Gina is an LA-based writer and editor, and you can regularly find her wearing a face mask in bed and scrolling through TikTok.
