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As a girl who’s struggled with acne for over a decade, I’ve tried nearly every viral breakout-busting product, facial and trick. Pimple patches quickly became a favorite for my more aggressive breakouts, but they certainly weren’t a perfect solution. They weren’t equally effective on all kinds of pimples, didn’t accommodate varying-sized breakouts and didn’t always stick when paired with serums and moisturizers. Even when buying the jumbo 72-count packs, the frequency at which I’d go through a sheet started to add up.Â
So, you can imagine my interest when I was walking down Fifth Avenue in New York and saw a giant window display for a brand new Ordinary product across the street. As soon as I got home, I did a little research and found that the affordable skincare brand launched the Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate, a tiny bottle that promised to pack a big punch for just $9.90. In fact, it promised to reduce pimple size and redness in just one hour with a gentle colloidal sulfur for sensitive skin. Naturally, I popped into my local Sephora to try it for myself.Â
My first impression was just how small the bottle really is; it’s comparable to a hundred-point Sephora Rewards Bazaar sample. I tried a small patch on a (very red and irritated) breakout above my eyebrow and was shocked that the affected area was significantly less red in just a few minutes, and it only took about a day to go away entirely. In the past, similar breakouts would have taken at least three days to fully heal with pimple patches. The Ordinary recommends starting with one to two applications per day, just to make sure it’s not too intense for your skin. I’ve found that one application in the morning and one at night works perfectly for me!Â
After a few weeks of my twice-a-day routine, the sulfur-based powder was equally effective in treating whiteheads and preventing still-forming acne from reaching an uncomfortable head. It’s been helpful to use the exact amount for small and large pimples alike, as well as smaller breakout clusters, without having to waste product. Despite being a loose powder product, I don’t find it messy or obnoxious to apply.Â
Ready to powder up your beauty routine? The Ordinary’s Power-to-Cream Concentrate is available through the brand site and its distributors, which include Ulta, Sephora, Kohl’s, Nordstrom and Amazon.Â