Yahoo Movies Banish pimples with these acne-busting products
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Pardon the drama, but combating acne is kind of like fighting a war, with each blemish an individual battle. Many culprits may cause blemishes, including hormones, pore-clogging products and an overproduction of oil, to name a few. In any case, to get rid of acne, you need products that use exfoliating and skin-clearing ingredients to disarm pimples or blackheads at their cores. Let these 10 options be your weapons.
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1. This daily cleanser that gently removes impurities
A great skincare routine starts with a cleanser. Cerave makes a great one that claims to gently remove dirt and oil from acne-prone skin. Its key ingredient is salicylic acid, which goes into the pores and dissolves skin cells and oils that can lead to acne. The wash also uses niacinamide to improve the skins’ texture and tone, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and ceramides (lipids found in healthy skin) to protect the skin barrier. The fragrance-free formula is mild enough for you to use in the morning and at night even if you have sensitive skin.
Get the Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser from Amazon for $9.87
2. This stronger cleanser that kills bacteria
If your acne presents as inflamed pimples instead of blackheads, an ingredient called benzoyl peroxide may be a better fit, as it can kill acne-causing bacteria.
The Panoxyl Acne Creamy Wash claims to lift dirt and oil from the pores while using the 4% benzoyl peroxide to prevent acne. To keep your skin from drying out, the wash includes moisturizing ingredients like palmitic acid and glycerin. Still, the brand recommends only using it once a day at first to avoid dryness or irritation. Apply it onto wet skin and massage it in, allowing it to sit for a total of one to two minutes, and then rinse well and pat your skin dry with a white towel (benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric).
Get the Panoyxl Acne Creamy Wash from Amazon for $9.48
3. This leave-on treatment that unclogs pores
A cleanser is a great way to introduce skin-clearing ingredients into your routine with minimal irritation because it’s a wash-off treatment, but you may find even better luck with a solution you leave on.
The Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant uses salicylic acid to unclog pores and even the skin’s tone and texture as well as green tea extract to soothe irritation. The formula is gentle, meaning you can apply it up to twice daily after cleansing the skin and before moisturizing it.
Get the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant from Amazon for $29.50
4. This overnight solution for pesky pimples
For a stronger leave-on option using benzoyl peroxide, try the Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Skin Clearing Treatment. The cream formula contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria, bisabolol to soothe irritation and allantoin to reduce redness. Apply it to acne-prone areas after cleansing and limit use to once a day while your skin adjusts to the ingredient; the brand recommends applying less often if you see any dryness or peeling. Consider swapping out your pillowcase to a white one while you’re using this product to prevent bleach spots.
Get the Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Skin Clearing Treatment from Amazon for $18
5. This moisturizer that exfoliates
Retinol, a weaker type of retinoid, is beloved for its anti-aging abilities, but it’s also an exfoliator that can benefit acne-prone skin. By forcing skin cells to turn over quicker, retinol keeps pores from clogging. However, retinoids can be irritating on the skin, so if you’ve never used one before, you should consider starting with an OTC retinol, like this one from Lilyana Naturals.
Along with skin-smoothing retinol, the cream contains hydrating and moisturizing ingredients hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin E, green tea, shea butter and jojoba oil, because you still need to moisturize oily skin. Start by swapping this product in for your normal face moisturizer once a week and build up a tolerance to it before increasing your frequency of application.
Get the Lilyana Naturals Retinol Cream from Amazon for $19.99
6. This aggressive preventative
Not a stranger to retinol? Consider upgrading to a stronger retinoid to combat persistent acne. Differin Gel uses adapalene 0.1% to prevent clogged pores and inflamed skin. Though available over the counter, this treatment is stronger than retinol and can act as a more aggressive approach to acne prevention.
For best results, apply it on acne-prone areas of skin after cleansing and before moisturizing and allow it to fully absorb into the skin to avoid diluting the ingredients. Like other retinoid treatments, you’ll want to build up your tolerance by starting with application once a week and upping the frequency as your skin adjusts.
Get the Differin Gel from Amazon for $12.26
7. This pregnancy-safe treatment
Considering that hormone changes can result in acne, it only makes sense that pregnancy may affect your skin (for better or worse). However, treatments containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids are not approved for pregnancy, so you’ll need different actives for dealing with breakouts.
Azelaic acid helps exfoliate the skin and can even ward off post-acne discoloration called hyperpigmentation, as it contains enzymes that inhibit pigment-causing melanin. This azelaic acid-containing cream from The Ordinary claims to improve texture and tone and reduce blemishes. The brand recommends applying it to clean skin in the morning or nighttime.
Get The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream from Sephora for $7.90
8. This alternative exfoliator for sensitive skin
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are another alternative to salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Though not as effective for treating acne as salicylic acid, AHAs also exfoliate the skin, which helps keep the pores from getting clogged and are gentler for sensitive skin.
One option that’s great for exfoliating newbies is The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% Exfoliating Serum, as it contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and inflammation-reducing Tasmanian pepperberry. The brand recommends applying the serum once a day at night.
Get The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% Exfoliating Serum from Sephora for $6.80
9. This oil-absorbing clay mask
Whether you’re experiencing a flare-up of acne or just want to treat oily or combination skin to some TLC, a clay mask is a great option. The beloved Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask contains natural calcium bentonite clay in powder form that you can mix with water or apple cider vinegar to create an oil-absorbing mask that’ll harden on the skin and clean the pores. The brand recommends allowing the mask to dry for five to 20 minutes (10 or less for sensitive skin).
Get the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask from Amazon for $14.95
10. These pimple patches
For dealing with singular pimples instead of clusters of acne, pimple patches are a must-have to zap them overnight. These adhesive dots are made of hydrocolloid dressings that draw moisture out of wounds—or zits, in this case. Place one on overnight—or for several hours during the day—and you can expect a major reduction in the size and redness of the blemish. Bonus: These patches can help you avoid picking at your skin, which can introduce bacteria and cause scarring.
Get the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch The Original from Amazon for $21.99
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Skincare products that get rid of acne on the face
