I’ve struggled with acne for a long, long time. Looking back on my teenage years, I feel for baby Sarah. All that angst, acne, and anguish brings back nothing but sadness. My skin was out of control thanks to angry, inflamed cystic breakouts and a plethora of blackheads that coated my nose.
Nothing I tried— multi-step acne systems, alcohol-based toners, harsh exfoliators—worked. And, like, No shit! The products pushed onto me back then were truly horrific for skin (you know it’s true), and I’d give anything to whisper the secrets to soothing and preventing breakouts to little ‘ol’ me. But since I can’t go back in time (wouldn’t that be cool?), I’ll share my wisdom with you, dear reader. Here’s how to best build a skin-care routine if you have acne-prone skin in 2024:
Cleanser: First thing’s first, you need a solid cleanser. Solid but simple! Most of your face wash will inevitably find its way down the drain, so no need to splurge on this product. Find something with hydrating ingredients, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, to get a quick boost of hydration before you layer on your treatments. I love the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
Exfoliant: Next, I’d recommend an exfoliating serum formulated with either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, two of the biggest acne-fighting heavy hitters. When over-the-counter options (like those above) don’t work, a prescription retinoid cream does wonders to clear current breakouts and prevent future excess oil production. And if you’ve got fresh flare-ups, use spot treatments on clean skin. I love the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Spot Treatment and Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Acne Clearing Solution.
Moisturizer: Then I’d opt for hydration with a soothing moisturizer to lock in the treatment(s) you used right before. An oil-free or gel-based face cream is your best bet, which will help prevent excess oil production. I love the Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer, which is also pumped full of hyaluronic acid.
Sunscreen: And lastly, wear sunscreen! All skin should be protected from the sun’s harsh rays, which can even exacerbate inflammation and redness on sensitive skin. Slather on an oil-free formula with SPF 30 or above, like the EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46, which is a favorite of mine.