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1. A pack of Hero Cosmetics acne patches to drain 👏 those 👏 zits 👏 so you can avoid picking or any of the other lovely benefits of a usually longer-lasting breakout. They're gentler than acne cream, speed up recovery to practically overnight, and do all the ~heavy lifting~ for you.
2. Or! A set of Rael microneedle patches that'll tackle deeper, cystic acne thanks to their self-dissolving micro tips that work like your derm's usual methods. A combo of hyaluronic acid, tea tree, and salicylic acid melt into the zit to soothe inflammation that usually takes MUCH longer to heal.
3. A bottle of The Ordinary peeling solution for decreasing excess oil (a probable cause of recurring breakouts) with a surprisingly affordable combo of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid that need only ~10 minutes~ to treat acne, smooth your skin tone, and exfoliate oily skin layers.
4. A pack of Dr. Oracle peeling sticks so you can precisely target clogged pores and blackheads. They're essentially cotton swabs loaded with acne-fighting acids (ty, AHA and BHA) to get rid of breakouts — and you're done using them faster than you can count to one minute flat.
5. An ever so popular Thayers witch hazel, because this'll brighten and even your skin tone by regularly removing dead skin cells. It's alcohol-free so it's gentle enough for all skin types to use every night, as long as you moisturize, and is an easy way to diminish breakouts.
6. A jelly-like, blue algae mask to resurface dead skin cells where your breakout lies so it's easier to ~unclog~ irritated pores and pimples. It's essentially an at-home peel that'll reveal allll that built-up oil and sebum and leave you with fresh, smooth skin.
7. A bottle of Glossier Solution that'll clear breakouts faster than you can say "pop" thanks to this exfoliating blend of alpha hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid, and polyhydroxy acid. Reviewers l-o-v-e this for fading acne scars and treating active breakouts.
8. A wildly popular Aztec Secret clay mask for successfully treating consistent cystic acne, aka the toughest of underground pimples. So. Many. People. swear by this for bringing the deepest acne to a head so you can finally stop picking (which only irritates your skin and causes more breakouts).
9. An e.l.f spot gel stick so you can treat surprise pimples with ~pinpoint~ accuracy. It uses a powerful formula of salicylic acid, witch hazel, camphor, tea tree, green tea, and aloe to not only nourish irritated skin, but dramatically reduce swelling and redness.
10. A pack of Bioré cleansing pore strips, because these'll be your sidekick that basically act as a magnet to efficiently draw out dirt, oil, and blackheads both from your nose and your forehead (or really anywhere). Deep clean does not even BEGIN to define these.
11. A TreeActiv cystic acne spot treatment to shave the time it takes for cystic pimples to fade in half. Its main ingredient, bentonite clay, draws out toxins, fights swelling, and calms irritated skin très vite so the days of waiting an eternity are over.
12. A Paula's Choice liquid exfoliant that'll employ 2% BHA* to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells so you can get to the ~root~ of pimples — and end with a brighter complexion. Tl;dr: gently exfoliating with salicylic acid easily brings breakouts to a head.
13. A Peter Thomas Roth sulfur mask for telling acne you are not. messing. AROUND by drying 'em out with a powerful mix of 10% sulfur, as well as kaolin and bentonite clays (while aloe soothes). Excess oil = absorbed. Huge bump = deflated.
14. An Aveda toning mist so you can take your treatment routine on-the-go, especially if your face tends to feel tight and dry midday. This'll hydrate and refresh tired skin *and* help control excess oil and redness throughout the day — aka pimples won't have a chance to make a comeback.
15. A vitamin-rich cleanser specifically designed to tackle breakouts, because this'll use organic fruit acids and essential oils to not only wish unwelcome guests goodbye, but keep them away.
16. An extra-strong spot treatment to take matters into your own ~hands~ and shrink pesky zits with 10% benzoyl peroxide, ginger, chamomile (to soothe), and sea whip extracts. That pimple won't even know what hit it by the time the sun comes up.
17. A CosRX gel facial cleanser that'll start your mornings off with some *perks* by combining tea tree oil and natural BHA to shrink pores and improve your complexion's evenness. Essentially, it tells breakouts to ~clear out~, while still being gentle enough for sensitive skin.
18. An Alba Botanica deep-clean astringent for combining the power of 2% salicylic acid, witch hazel, and willow bark solution to effectively treat those annoying active breakouts quickly and easily.
19. A set of NeoGen wine peeling pads so you can clear dead skin cells and lingering breakouts (looking at you, week-long cystic zit) in just one, two, swipe. Each pad's three-layer technology, plus powerful lactic acid and red wine extract, penetrates deep into clogged pores to eliminate dirt and oil. Feel free to have a glass of actual wine to toast that pimple goodbye.
20. A bottle of Mario Badescu drying lotion, because this'll zap your zits on sight and keep you from popping or picking — you know how that ends. Dab this on, go to sleep, and wake up a whole lot happier.
21. An Origins charcoal mask to make acne-treating routines a little more relaxing by using bamboo charcoal and white clay that'll clear pores, reduce oil, and brighten skin while you enjoy a little ~self-care~ time. Clear *and* refreshed skin are right around the corner.
22. A Neutrogena alcohol-free toner that'll work just as well (if not better) than most high-end toners, but win at keeping sensitive skin in mind. It gently treats acne, brightens skin, and tightens pores *without* causing irritation. No more aggravating skin in the name of fighting acne.
23. A bar of Shea Moisture African black soap for fighting breakouts ALLLL over (hello, surprise butt pimple) before you have time work yourself into a lather. Its combo of shea butter, vitamin E, and coconut oil work together to quickly wash those unwelcome zits down the drain.
24. A Tarte exfoliating treatment so you can keep consistent breakouts at bay by using this salicylic acid, sulfur, and glycerin formula three to four times a week. It'll minimize the appearance of pores, control oil, and target active breakouts — all while leaving a ~tingling~ feeling.
25. A Clinique BB cream (already a major fave among those with cystic acne), because this'll ensure you continue your day worry-free about breakouts growing. It's great at concealing, feels weightless, *and* actively treats acne while you wear it.
26. A Glow Recipe sleeping mask to let this do all the hard work while you catch up on your beauty sleep. It treats acne with exfoliating PHA and encapsulated retinol (the gentlest form of retinol), while nourishing irritated complexions with hydrating avocado. Get ready to wake up to dewy, soothed skin.
27. A bottle of Acure brightening facial scrub that'll be a reliable go-to when you want to exfoliate excess oil away (aka why you're probably breaking out). It's gentle enough to use every day, meaning your acne doesn't have a chance to come back. We are on 👏top👏 of👏 it — all while bringing out a clear, glowing complexion from underneath.
28. A Dr. Dennis Gross steamer for giving yourself a DIY facial whenever you want in order to draw out those darn whiteheads in the fastest (yet gentlest) way possible. Its ~micro steam~ technology deeply hydrates your skin while also opening up clogged pores, leaving you with a totally refreshed and dewy complexion.
29. A Yes To charcoal scrub and cleanser stick so you can wish pimples adieu with just a flick of your wrist. It uses charcoal, moisturizing avocado, and coconut oil to help you gently exfoliate your way back to clear skin *and* no more excess oil.
30. A Derma E rebalancing cream, because this'll act like a spot treatment but for your whole darn face whenever you're mid-breakout. It uses tea tree, salicylic acid, and glycerin to reduce redness and irritation, heal acne, and prevent future breakouts.
31. An APTO healing mask to drastically minimize swelling with one simple yet powerful natural ingredient: turmeric. It's essentially the ultimate multitasker — it'll disinfect, decrease inflammation, and slow down cell damage.
32. An investment-worthy Drunk Elephant night serum for resurfacing broken-out skin overnight thanks to a blend of powerful acids (i.e. glycolic, citric, salicylic, and more). Basically all you need to do is get a full night's sleep while this lifts away dead skin cells and improves overall clarity and brightness.
Your pimples the minute they meet these...
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