Browse links
US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and itsΒ publishingΒ partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Stop, drop, and confront π that π zit π.
This color-correcting palette ($24 on Tarte) fades discolorations, conceals pimples, contours, and brightens β all in this one color wheel! Each shade addresses a skin concern (i.e. orange counteracts dark under-eyes) so you can conquer whatever the morning throws at you.
To learn more helpful tips, check out "22 Makeup Tricks Every Beginner Should Know".
They're also great for treating blackheads and hydrating dry skin!
Promising review: "This is great for acne-prone skin. It doesnβt burn your skin, but it removes dead skin cells leaving fresh, clear, smooth skin in the morning. Iβm 65 and love these. My granddaughter is 20 and it cleared her stubborn acne up in a few days. Your skin actually glows and is super smooth! Price is so much lower than other products that claim they do the same thing but are higher priced!" βPrincessnana1999
Get a pack of 60 from Amazon for $10.19+ (available in two sizes).
You'll want a hard ice pack like this four-pack ($8.99 on Amazon), because β speaking from experience β the soft ones melt wayyyy to fast. And then you have a puddle on your chin.
Promising review: "Iβve tried so many brands of pimple spots, and these are hands-down the best on the market. Last night, I put these on a few acne problems (a small cyst, a whitehead, and a pimple I shouldnβt have picked and has been a bump for about three weeks now). I just woke up and am writing this review in disbelief. THEY'RE FLAT! Gone! All of them! I could cry Iβm so happy. The packaging is also ideal, because it allows you to conveniently and easily peel the stickers off without stretching them out or folding them back on themselves. Everyone should have these on-hand for a stubborn zit when you really need them." βCaitlyn
Get a box of 40 round patches for $8.50 and a box of 8 extra-large patches for $8.50, both from Amazon.
To learn more, check out "These Satisfying Acne Patches Deserve A National Holiday, Change My Mind".
They're bigger than traditional round patches to cover large pimples and have hyaluronic acid to keep it from dying out (aka no flaking)!
Promising review: "THIS MICRONEEDLE PATCH IS AMAZING!! I normally use the regular pimple patches, but those donβt really do much for my deeper bigger pimples. I had a recurring pimple near my nose so I used this overnight. Iβve had issues with my other patches coming off in my sleep, but this one stayed on so well. I was very impressed. Also, you can really feel the microneedles when you place the patch on β a very slight poke is all but itβs cool how you can feel them). I woke up in the morning to a much flatter/less red pimple! Definitely recommend this β itβs a bit pricey but you can tell the difference in quality." βSharon Won
Get a pack of nine from Amazon for $11.99.
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation ($7.59+ on Amazon; available in 12 shades) combines mattifying powders and whipped mousse liquid foundation to give you full coverage while blending seamlessly. This is great for anyone who wants matte coverage with an air-light finish.
PΓR Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation ($27.19 on Amazon; available in nine shades) provides lightweight coverage as an all-in-one foundation, concealer, powder and SPF 15. If you're looking for easy and quick, this is your go-to.
To learn more, check out You Beauty for "Powder and Foundation Cheat Sheet: Find the Right Coverage for You".
It'll also restore your skin's pH balance and absorb excess oil. It's everything you want your toner to do, except now you can use it WHEREVER. Plus it's organic and suitable for sensitive skin!
Promising review: "I have very acne-prone and sensitive skin that is pale with pink and red undertones. I break out very easily, and my skin is irritated even by the 'sensitive skin' brands and formulas. I have used EVERYTHING under the sun to aid in redness and sensitivity, and nothing has worked to calm flare-ups like this. I wake up and my skin is glowing and peachy pale, as opposed to red and blotchy. This rose water has not only improved my skin's redness and overall tone, but it has virtually eliminated any signs on acne. I use before I put on my redness moisturizer and before bed as a refresher. I also find myself spritzing at various times of the day, because the fragrance is so pleasant." βKathy Pancake
Get it from Amazon for $10.
See what won best toners on BuzzFeed Reviews.
If it doesn't work the first time, just repeat holding down the warm washcloth a few more times. As long as it's not a cystic pimple, this will work! Pro tip: use an extra-gentle washcloth to prevent further irritating the inflamed pimple. These bamboo washcloths ($15.50 on Amazon) are designed for both babies and people with sensitive skin so you'll be extra soothed as you press down and wipe your zit.
Check out even more from The Beauty Department for "The Only Way To Pop: Blemish Magic Trick".
If you pop a pimple, you should ALWAYS treat it right away. The popped pimple's bacteria, oil, and debris can infect your exposed skin and, yep, cause more acne. This trick will ~disinfect~ the area so you're safe.
Promising review (for Neosporin): "I read an article that using Neosporin on open pimples helps them clear up faster. So I bought it for my boyfriend to try it out, and it really does help! He's also been using it on closed pimples and it helps with those, too!" βAmazon Customer
Get them from Amazon: a pack of 500 cotton swabs for $6.64 and Neosporin for $3.77.
Promising review: "I can't begin to say how much I love this product. I've used this powder for nearly 30 years, and I have never once been disappointed. People comment on my complexion all the time by telling me how good my skin is (it's because of this). This covers acne well without being cakey and looking like makeup. My skin is typically very oily to the point where I have to reapply pressed powder several times throughout the day β not so with this! I don't even carry a compact when I use this, because there is no need to ever add more." βMichelle Anderson
Get it from Amazon for $5.67 (available in six shades).
To learn more, check out "This $6 Face Powder Will Actually Make Your Makeup Look Flawless".
FYI, this is a great spot treatment for anyone with sensitive skin because it's gentler than most!
Promising review: "This is the first time I've ever used Tree Activ. I absolutely love the product. I use it both at night time, as well as during the day under my makeup. I've used other acne products that were supposed to be able to go under your makeup. However, they would leave a residue when blending and it would flake even after waiting for it to dry. This product dries quickly and leaves no residue, which saves me time in the morning. As far as acne control it actually works. This clears up acne or a single pimple in about one to two days, which is awesome! I tried it initially because of the reviews ,and it did not disappoint." βAmber Bracamonte
Get it from Amazon for $18.
RIP Roger. Need suggestions? We've got you ~covered~:
Salicylic-acid-based products are best for inflammatory and comedonal acne (aka whiteheads, blackheads, and red bumps). Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($29.50 on Birchbox) unclogs pores and removes dead skin cells to both get to the root of pimples and leave you with a brighter complexion. Tl;dr: gently exfoliating with salicylic acid easily brings breakouts to a head.
Zinc-and-sulfur-based products work well for treating cystic or nodule acne (aka deep infections that don't come to a head). Malin and Goetz nighttime acne treatment ($22 on Birchbox) works overnight to help minimize pimples and calm oily skin β both factors that those of us with hormonal acne are all too familiar with.
To learn more, check out Birchbox for "Your Guide To The Different Types of Acne".
Promising review: "I bought this blackhead remover for my T-zone, because I have blackheads on my nose a lot. It really works and I love it!!! I used my facial steamer for about five minutes before using this blackhead remover. It removed so much gunk! It has great suction and gets the tiny blackheads in a pinch! And you can see the oily bits come out stick to the machine heads, but not painfully or with any discomfort." βViola
Get it from Amazon for $25.99.
This is pretty powerful (reviewers say not to keep it on one spot for too long), so if you have super sensitive skin I'd suggest using gentler β but equally effective! β pore strips ($7.52 on Amazon).
Did I mention it's available in ~40~ shades?! It's basically a one-step solution to subtly masking even giant zits. It's oil-free, vegan, and super creamy to make it easy to blend! AND it has SPF 15 to protect you from the sun.
Promising review: "I'm in love with this product, it gives me an even, full coverage with a minimal amount needed. My skin looks so clear with this. Iβm not good with makeup, but this one product does all the work for me!" βYannett L
Get it from Tarte for $39 (available in 40 shades).
Learn why a BuzzFeed editor loves this in her full review in "10 Life-Changing Beauty Products You Need To Try ASAP".
Promising review: "This stuff is a miracle worker! It's deep skinβcleansing and a great spot treatment for acne. I use it overnight for spot treatment and it's gone by morning almost every time, or extremely less noticeable. I use it regularly for overall skin health. There are a lot of other expensive brands out there, but this one has been around for a long time and it works great and isnβt not overpriced for what it is. I definitely recommend this to people all the time! Safe for sensitive skin!" βOm Mecca
Get them from Amazon: Aztec Healing Clay for $10.95 and apple cider vinegar for $9.96.
To learn more, check out "This Clay Mask Basically Vacuums Out Your Pores, And BRB I'm Going To Bathe In It".
The faster you learn what your body is trying to tell you, the faster you can treat it! This 10-pack of body wipes ($11.99 on Amazon) combine tea tree oil, cooling peppermint, aloe, and ginseng to not only ~freshen you up~ if you are s w e a t y, but ward off acne-causing bacteria.
Check out even more from Birchbox for "If Your Breakout Could Talk, Hereβs What It Would Tell You".
Promising review: "I have a lot of acne and oily skin and I must say this setting spray is really the cherry on top! When I put this on after I finish applying makeup, I NEVER get oily! I have worn this through two shifts (I have two jobs), rode two buses to get home, and walked home, and I still looked flawless! This is a must-have." βSasha
Get it from Amazon for $3.79.
Take this "Tell Us Your Skin Problems And We'll Recommend A Face Mask" quiz to find your match!
Promising review: "I've used plenty of peels and none of them seem to do much, but this product is A M A Z I N G. I no longer have acne, just some scarring. This product took care of the texture in two uses, improved the look of my pores, and evened out my skin tone. It's given my skin a 'glass'-like appearance, making makeup application so much easier. I've gotten many compliments since using." βupstate80
Get it from Sephora for $7.20.
Check out a BuzzFeeder's full review in "I Tested A $7 Chemical Peel On My Sensitive Skin, And I'm High-Key Obsessed".
You can dim or brighten the LED bulbs based on your preferences and choose from three magnification modes.
Promising review: "I have terrible lighting in my new place and this has really helped me see my pores and coverup marks better than with regular lighting." βSapphire Stagtite
Get it from Amazon for $25.99.
Because there's so much more to your skin type than just "oily" or "dry"! My local drugstore probably used to think I was on a mission to buy out their face mask section whenever I broke out. I saved SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY when I just took a breath and figured out what my skin was asking for, instead of picking whatever I could find the fastest.
Take Soko Glam's "What's My Skin Type?" quiz to discover what your complexion is looking for!
Promising review: "I bought this product about a month ago and I use it at least once a day, sometimes twice. I started noticing a difference in my skin within a week! For the record, I have terrible skin. It's red, blotchy, uneven, and on top of that I would get terrible breakouts. I chose to post some before-and-after pictures (above), because this product has helped A LOT! It helped reduce the redness of my breakouts within a few days of using it, and I'm convinced that it has also helped prevent more breakouts. This past month I've only had about two big pimples (which is great for me since I used to get a new pimple every couple of days) but other than that my face has been doing great! The top two photos were taken the day I got the product, and the bottom two photos are the results after about a month of using the product!" βAmazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes).
To learn more, check out "This Vitamin C Face Serum May Give You The Best Dang Skin Of Your Life".
This baby helps soften your skin's surface and remove dead skin, dirt, oil and makeup remnant. Plus it dramatically clears out your pores and leaves your complexion feeling dewy and smooth. Tl;dr: it's a major relief for clogged skin.
Promising review: "This thing is amazing. I have acne and I use this almost every morning. It makes any whiteheads I have ooze out without me having to dig into my face. Plus it makes my skin feel so much better." βAdam R.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two colors).
This well-loved Acure argan oil serum ($14.15 on Amazon) has an easy-to-use pump so you don't overdo it when applying to your sponge! Plus, reviewers rave about how their complexions are absolutely *glowing* and clearer even after the first use so you're treating the pimple on-the-go.
This five-pack of makeup blending sponges ($8.99 on Amazon) already has THOUSANDS of reviews that speak to their even application and ~flawless finish~ β especially when it comes to concealing acne and blending foundation!
To learn more, check out The Beauty Department for "Dry Patch Pre-Foundation Fix".
Promising review: "I started taking medication that breaks my skin out pretty badly. I have tried medicated acne products to eradicate this unwanted side effect to my oral medicines. At first they seemed to work; but I had to stick with them for several days in order to see results. The very first time I used this brand of black soap, I could immediately see and feel how clean my skin got. I was consistent with washing my face with this soap every day for the first two weeks but slacked off for the past two weeks; however, my skin is mostly clear of pimples. The dark spots are also lightening. My overall complexion has improved noticeably and I am grateful." βBajanMarge
Get it from Amazon for $14.20.
Promising review (for Maybelline green concealer): "This is the best Iβve tried yet. It's lightweight and holds foundation well for up to 16+ hours easily. It definitely helps even my very natural uneven skin tone which is red, sun damaged, and scarred (from acne/popping/picking). It also smooths and minimizes my pores." βShalohm
Get them from Amazon: a concealer brush for $0.99, Maybelline green concealer for $5.98, and NYX concealer for $5.99 (available in 22 shades).
To learn more, check out The Beauty Department for "How To Cover Up A Pimple".
PLUS! It leaves room for your pores to breathe, rather than clogging them.
Promising review: "This stuff is incredible! I have now been using it for three years and every time I get close to running out, I go and buy another one right away. I have adult moderate cystic acne and this stuff really calms it down and helps with redness. Anytime I feel like I am getting a pimple or can see the under-the-skin bump, I will lather this healing powder all over it all day long. Definitely a go-to product and I highly recommend to anyone who suffers from incredibly painful and stubborn cystic acne." βjustanothercollegestudent
Get it from Amazon for $12.
Get a fidget spinner from Amazon for $11.99.
To learn more helpful tips, check out "Take BuzzFeed's 7-Day Better Skin Challenge".
They're packed with lactic acid to gently lift dead skin cells while glycolic acid exfoliates and resurfaces skin. Plus a blend of tea tree extract, lemon extract, and bamboo extract to naturally exfoliate without irritating sensitive skin.
Promising review: "I was a little nervous to try this product because it seemed like it could be harsh. I was incredibly amazed when it wasnβt at all harsh on my skin and it helped my blackheads and whiteheads on my chin (problem area) overnight! The texture of my chin has been really off as well (dry patches, yet blackheads and whiteheads) and it immediately rectified that. I was super pleased with this purchase and will definitely be buying it again." βJulia A.
Get a pack of 10 from Soko Glam for $24.
Promising review: "I have tried everything (short of Accutane) to get rid of my persistent cystic acne, and nothing has been effective. I applied a small amount of this miracle-in-a-jar to the blemishes on my face, chest, and back. In the morning, the blemishes were noticeably reduces in size and redness. My skin has never looked better. If you have cystic acne, give this a try. You won't be disappointed." βErika B.
Get it from Amazon for $24.95.
To learn more about this, check out "Hundreds Of People Swear By This Spot Treatment For Cystic Acne".
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.