Co-written and edited by Jenny Tellier, 2023.
If you have persistent acne, the occasional blemish or a stress-induced pimple, you're not alone. Inflamed skin, even into your adult years, is an experience shared by many. Clear up your skin naturally with our top picks of effective cleansers, toners, serums, spot treatments and masks. These skincare products will lift your confidence and bring out the best in your skin.
While acne could be a more holistic issue than using the right skincare products, it is a crucial component to be mindful of on your journey to acne-free skin. Here are some helpful tips and product swaps you can make to your skincare routine to banish those blemishes.
DOUBLE CLEANSING FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN
At the end of the day, try adding an additional cleanse to your routine, otherwise known as a double cleanse. This routine consists of using two types of cleansers, an oil and a water-based cleanser, to get your skin clean without additional irritation.
The first cleanse, with an oil-based cleanser, will clean off makeup, sticky SPF, excess oil and pollution that accumulates on the skin throughout the day.
The second cleanse washes excess dirt away from pores leaving you with the perfect canvas for applying additional skincare products.
HH PICKS:
Living Libations Sandalwood Best Skin Ever (oil-based)
This is great for blemish-prone skin as it reduces redness and inflammation, evens out skin tone and promotes the healing of post-acne scars. This oil cleanser and moisturizer is a 2-in-1 product that doesn't contain coconut oil, which for some, might be too pore-clogging and contribute to breakouts.
Tata Haper Clarifying Cleanser (water-based cleanser)
This foaming gel cleanser is specifically targeted for oily, blemish-prone skin and has over 800 5-star reviews on Tata Harper's site. Hello! With AHA and BHA this light and refreshing cleanser is formulated to treat redness and impurities while keeping the natural skin oils perfectly balanced.
Vintner's Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser (water + oil-based)
Vintner’s Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser is an advanced, gently foaming cream formula that gives your skin a double cleanse in one step, how great is that? Thoroughly remove makeup, sunscreen and daily buildup while brightening, balancing and energizing your skin.
Monastery Sage Cleanser (oil-based)
This herbal oil cleanser is formulated with sage, hinoki cypress, and greek coriander balancing overactive sebum production without stripping the skin of its natural protective oils. The antibacterial properties provide gentle healing to acne-skin. Monastery's entire line is comprised of non-irritating absolute oils that are effective at reducing inflammation.
BLEMISH HEALING TONERS
Toners are an important part of your skincare routine as they help balance your skin to its natural pH level. Toners also enable serums to penetrate your dermal layer for maximum benefit.
HH PICKS:
Graydon Face Food Mineral Mist
This hydrating, soft-smelling toner has a mineral-based ingredient list that helps balance the complexion. The toner soothes inflamed skin and shields the face from environmental pollution.
Province Apothecary Balance Toner
A HH bestselling product, this floral toner helps to reduce inflammation and maintain healthy oil production for a radiant complexion. Made with gluconic acid, a gentle AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that smooths skin's texture coupled with sage essential oil that helps to restore balance to irritated skin.
Wildcraft Clarify Toner
This lovely and light-scented toner is naturally anti-microbial and is effective at reducing puffiness and inflammation. When used with a cotton round, it helps clear out excess makeup or buildup from pores in preparation for a serum or moisturizer.
ACNE HEALING MOISTURIZERS + SERUMS
Finding a great moisturizer and serum will allow your skin to rest and repair overnight and help soothe and protect the skin during the day. A general layering rule, apply moisturizer before your oil-based serum.
HH PICKS:
Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturizer
This lightweight moisturizer has a matte finish, helping the skin retain moisture while also balancing oil production and minimizing the look of blemishes. It's packed with active botanicals and works hard to keep your skin looking its best.
Wildcraft Clarify Moisturizer
If you're looking for something a little more rich, look no further. This moisturizer is formulated to help balance blemish-prone skin, is nourishing and hydrating and contains kukui, rosewater and aloe gel to reduce redness and soothe acne-prone skin.
Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum
This luxurious serum is formulated for acne-prone and combination skin. This serum penetrates deep to balance skin and reduces irritation. This serum is made to provide long-lasting support for persistent breakouts.
The Cure Face and Neck Serum
This beautifully rich face serum contains power-packed ingredients like Irish Sea Moss to help minimize redness, reduce the occurrence of breakouts and even out scarring and skin tone.
Monastery Gold Botanical Oil Serum
This innovative blend of oils calms the most irritated complexions with its unique blend of vitamin and nutrient-rich oils. Sandalwood nut oil (not to be mistaken with sandalwood oil) is a medicinal oil from Australia that contains oleic acid and ximenynic acid. Rare ximenynic acid is one of nature’s most potent anti-inflammatories and a superhero for soothing skin. Like a multivitamin for your skin, this serum works to repair broken-down skin tissue and calm any type of damage.
POWERFUL SPOT TREATMENTS
Spot treatments are a fantastic way to directly connect with those breakouts that won’t just go away and need a little extra attention deep down. We recommend applying these treatments overnight.
HH PICKS:
Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advance Spot Concentrate
This spot treatment is dedicated to reaching stubborn blemishes. One drop of this concentrate is all you need to minimize inflammation. Ingredients like neem seed oil and turmeric essential oil help to reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes.
Living Libations Zippity Dew Dab Ozonated Beauty Balm
This small jar is full of oils that clean blemish-prone skin, purify pores, and clear the appearance of scars and spots. The addition of fresh ozone supercharges the skin bringing it back into harmony.
Living Libations Zippity Dew Dab
This soothing spot-on serum is designed to diminish the appearance of fine lines, scars, bumps, couperose and melasma on your skin. Dab directly on areas needing TLC or blend with Best Skin Ever when cleansing or apply as a serum.
CALMING FACE MASKS FOR INFLAMED SKIN
A good face mask is a great way to decongest the pores, soothe the skin and help manage redness and inflammation. Clay is an effective ingredient that helps to unclog and cleanse the skin, while reducing excessive oil production and maintaining hydration. To keep your skin looking and feeling refreshed we recommend doing a mask 1-2 times a week to really see and maintain results!
HH PICKS:
Tata Harper Clarifying Mask
This product is a powerhouse when it comes to maintaining clear skin. Containing AHA and BHA this mask helps refine pores and minimizes redness and the appearance of blemishes. It contains soothing honey which prevents bacteria. It is all-around lovely! Pair it with Tata Harper's Clarifying Cleanser or Clarifying Moisturizer for maximum results.
Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask
This creamy, gel-like mask is infused with a delicate blend of self-neutralizing AHAs that replenish moisture and gently exfoliate to revive dull, stressed skin and reveal a healthy-looking, radiant complexion. The Superkind line is especially suitable for sensitive skin as the entire line is hypoallergenic, derm tested, and vegan. Free from: gluten, wheat, soy, and nut derivatives, fragrances, essential oils, and 85+ common allergens and irritants.
Living Libations Frankincense and Honey Mask
Support your skin with the anti-bacterial properties of honey infused with the renewing capabilities of frankincense. This is a weekly routine you'll look forward to!