We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A Cerave exfoliating cleanser gentle enough for even the most sensitive complexions. Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin D pick up dead skin cells (the kind that cause gunk build-up) to prevent acne outbreaks — but this is still non-comedogenic, so your complexion won't feel overly tight *or* break out even further.
2. A Bliss jelly peel exfoliator because we all deserve skin softer than a baby's butt — and this delivers. Papaya and pineapple enzymes lift away dead, flaky skin to reveal a smooth canvas that allows the rest of your products to seep in more thoroughly. And the best part? It isn't irritating.
3. A Mario Badescu lip balm that will melt into your lips (think ~the Wicked Witch of the West meets water~) and leave behind a soft, non-sticky surface that won't trap any of your stray hairs. This little tube of goodness contains cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E for ultimate moisture.
4. A micro needle roller to combat scarring and cystic acne indentations one swipe at a time. This specific model is more affordable than other rollers on the market (we’re talking an $80 difference) but equally as effective. #bless
5. A La Roche-Posay gel cleanser with a favorite five-letter word: C-L-E-A-R. This salicylic acid wash targets (and destroys) blackheads and whiteheads while ridding surface oil by up to 47%, which basically translates to clear complexions ahead.
6. A Cosmedica rose gold serum to deliver some major "I drink a ton of water" vibes. A blend of hyaluronic acid and aloe offers balanced hydration and visibly brighter skin, even giving your complexion a touch of illumination — it can also be applied over foundation as a subtle highlight.
7. A First Aid Beauty priming moisturizer that enlists the help of coconut water and quinoa protein for a dewy canvas that allows for foundation to glide on like butter. It's also vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and comes in recyclable packaging, so repeat after me: success.
8. An Eva Naturals face serum because adult acne is garbage and according to reviewers, this stuff truly helps. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, aloe, salicylic acid, and niacinamide work in harmony to solve your most annoying skin problems from acne and dark spots to dehydration and redness.
9. Versed brightening solution, because what's more annoying than acne? Acne scarring. Just a daily swipe of this four-acid complex will lead you to greener pastures (the greener pastures = lightened dark spots, no more dullness, and a more even complexion overall).
10. An Ancient Greek Remedy facial oil that is truly a skincare jack-of-all-trades. This stuff softens skin, helps heal acne, aids in ridding scarring and stretch marks, and provides a large dose of 🗣️MOISTURE.
11. Hydrocolloid Hero Cosmetics pimple patches you should slap on a zit to 1) prevent picking, and 2) speed up the ~draining~ process. If you're looking for a no-frills way to stop cystic acne in its evil tracks, you may want to ~pick~ this product.
12. Or! Hero Cosmetics surface strips to treat cluster breakouts (cc: that special time of the month in which your jawline is shown no mercy) with the same medical-grade hydrocolloid formula.
13. A Mario Badescu clarifying serum that bids adieu to about-to-erupt blemishes one sleep at a time. Just apply a thin layer of this thyme and salicylic acid gel over effected areas, and the only thing you'll be waking up to is the irritating sound of your alarm — no cystic acne (that deep, painful kind).
14. Single-step vegan Bliss resurfacing pads capable of ~peeling~ off dead skin cells with just one swipe. Glycolic acid will slowly be released to reduce fine lines, even out discoloration, and improve brightness — and unlike your typical peel, these pads contain witch hazel, licorice, and calendula flower extract to keep irritation at bay.
15. A Neutrogena alcohol-free toner that is truly fab *and* costs less than $4. This post-cleansing product contains no alcohol (plenty of toners do) to ensure you skin doesn't feel stripped of moisture, plus it removes all the gunk and trapped oil that your cleanser somehow missed.
16. The Inkey List eye cream lets you lean on caffeine to de-puff your peepers and reduce pesky dark circles (because beauty sleep = overrated, am I right?). Luxe eye creams usually cost around a trillion dollars, so finding a holy grail like this ~$10 feels like striking gold.
17. A bottle of Cosmedica hyaluronic acid serum is a great way to try the holy grail that is hyaluronic acid for cheap. Seek products with hyaluronic acid if you have dry *or* oily skin. With just a few taps, you'll be able to prevent excess oil production, add hydration, and give your skin a boost of brightness. Talk about a million-in-one product.
18. A thick Weleda lotion made from vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, and calendula flowers to hydrate even the most parched skin. Slap some of this on before bed (WARNING: it'll feel a bit greasy upon application) and wake up to a nourished complexion. Pro tip: This is especially lovely if you're using a super drying acne medication.
19. A Body Shop sleeping mask to give beauty sleep a whole new meaning. A blend of salicylic acid and tea tree oil work to happily destroy pimples and excess sebum whilst you dream, meaning you'll wake up to mattified skin that *won't* require 10 pounds of setting powder.
20. A vanilla-scented Kiss nail pen so you can finally kick hang nails and mauled cuticles to the curb. This formula is so effective, one could say that it truly ~nails~ it.
21. An Avène gel cleanser lauded by over 1,000 reviewers, who all *swear* that this is the ultimate step one in your skincare routine. This soapless stuff truly does wonders for acne while a splash of thermal spring water works to calm your skin (and help maintain its optimum pH balance).
22. A bottle of The Ordinary peeling solution packed with quality ingredients (think glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid) to remedy your biggest skincare concerns: acne and excess oil. The time to break up with breakouts has arrived, my friends.
23. A hypoallergenic Glossier gel cleanser because you'd love to double cleanse, but you lack the energy. That's okay! This gentle-but-effective cleanser will literally ~melt~ makeup, oil, and gunk off your face — just add a few pumps to wet skin, cue mini facial massage, rinse, pat dry, and go to sleep. Only about .5 seconds have passed.
24. A daily Vanicream moisturizer ideal for both face and body. If you've ever struggled with eczema, itchy skin, or clogged pores, then this paraben-, formaldehyde-, dye-, and fragrance-free product is bound to become your new holy grail.
25. A non-comedogenic, fragrance-free Cerave moisturizing cream that you should've started using, like, yesterday. This formula contains salicylic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin D — all of which provide light exfoliation so your skin can retain more moisture, plus it's super effective at combatting (and calming) everything from psoriasis to body acne.
26. Plus, a Cerave body wash that mimics the above formula and targets *gulp* arguably the most stressful kind of acne: the kind that develops on your chest, back, and butt.
27. A Neutrogena gel cream to improve dryness and provide ultimate hydration for up to 48 hours. If you're looking for a ~tall glass of water~ to quench your face thirst, look no further than this fast-absorbing and oil-free formula.
28. A gentle Shea Moisture African black soap packed with a generous dose of shea butter, organic oats, and aloe to deep cleanse *and* fight hormonal acne, eczema, and broken capillaries. Heroes? Not all of 'em wear capes.
29. An exfoliating SkinFood mask that smells so divine, you'll probably want to eat it (READ: please don't). It's packed with black sugar, strawberry seeds, and strawberry seed oil that'll work wonders to give your skin an instant "I slept so well last night" brightening effect.
30. A Pawpaw two-in-one pot you'll consider *major* bang for your buck: it's got a sugar lip scrub to slough away dead skin, plus a nourishing lip balm made with Pawpaw, olive oil, and aloe vera.
31. A deep pore-cleaning Aztec Secret clay mask with a powerful calcium bentonite clay formula to basically scare even the most stubborn cystic acne away. Simply dilute this mask with either apple cider vinegar or water for best results and et voila, prepare for clear complexions ahead.
32. A non-greasy Australian Gold face lotion packed with SPF50 (which you should already be WEARING EVERY DARN DAY). Not only is this hypoallergenic sunscreen also oil-free, dye-free, and reef-safe, but it also contains an antioxidant-rich blend of kakadu plum, eucalyptus, and red algae that won't make your skin betray you via a ginormous breakout.
33. An oil-free, soap-free La Roche-Posay foaming gel to kick both your acne and your oily t-zone to the curb. For a matte complexion that stays matte throughout the entire day, this morning and night cleanser is destined to become your new holy grail.
34. A vegan and cruelty-free face mask with two superstar ingredients: turmeric and red kaolin clay, both of which work in harmony to tone, brighten, and tighten your complexion. Masks that are super effective for $10 > masks that are just "eh" for $30+ .
35. A Yes To facial scrub to slough away the dead skin cells that have marked your chin as their final resting place. This grapefruit and lemon balm formula will work to exfoliate and brighten your skin without any pimple disasters.
36. Cetaphil cleansing cloths you'll want for those nights in which you are way too tired to cleanse, tone, and moisturize. These remove dirt, trapped oil, and makeup (*cough* even waterproof mascara *cough*) without simultaneously stripping your face of moisture.
37. An oil serum here to deliver some SERIOUS glow, the kind you'll say ~I dew~ to after about .5 seconds of wear. A blend of nourishing oils, fruit extract, and sugarcane squalane offer hydration and visibly brighter skin while light-reflecting minerals give your complexion a boost of radiance.
38. Cotton Mediheal sheet masks packed with ingredients like willow bark, rosemary, tea tree oil, chamomile, and asiatic pennywort — all of which work in perfect harmony to exfoliate and stop pimple problems in their tracks while simultaneously calming down your complexion.
39. A Yes To facial cleanser here to kick the derrieres of acne, blackheads, and uninvited excess shine (you can thank an effective trio of charcoal, tomato extract, and salicylic acid for that).
40. A splurge-worthy Tatcha sunscreen that will protect you from the sun's harmful rays (SPF 35, baby) without leaving behind a film of sticky, greasy residue. This even blurs pores and doubles as a makeup primer to ensure that your foundation stays put all 👏 damn 👏 day 👏.
41. A Bliss moisture cream so you can keep consistent dehydration at bay by using this soothing rose water and nourishing colloidal gold duo every night pre-Zzzs. It's even specifically designed for sensitive skin, so rest assured that it will become a welcome addition to your nighttime routine.
42. An exfoliating towel, because the following word strikes fear in all of our hearts: Backne. This remove layers of dead skin that lead to scarring — use it in combo with Mario Badescu botanical body soap and your back will be all but invincible to breakouts.
Salicylic acid getting ready to destroy my chin pimple:
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