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1. Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant (all of your favorite skincare TikTokers swear by it) unclogs pores, banishes dead skin cells, and evens out skin tone. It even works on my very allergy-prone sensitive skin. A whopping 70 reviewers used the word "miracle."
2. Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser reduces breakouts and gently removes impurities without harshly stripping or drying out your skin (aka potentially causing new acne in the process).
3. Nip + Fab Daily Cleansing Pads contain 2.8% glycolic acid for gentle chemical exfoliation, revealing brighter and clearer skin every day — plus hyaluronic acid for moisture and witch hazel to tone and soothe.
4. Mighty Patch Pimple Patches absorb pus and oil from *inside* the zit, protecting skin from further damage and reinfection so you don't have to hot compress, pop, ooze, scar, and repeat.
5. *Or* Avarelle Acne Cover Patches are formulated with tea tree oil and calendula oil (to heal and shrink zits faster) AND come in two shapes — classic circular patches and large, square patches so you can easily treat and shrink clusters of pimples all at once.
6. Golde Clean Greens Face Mask is, as the brand says, basically a green smoothie...but for your face. It has chlorella, spirulina, and mango juice that not only look really cool when you mix 'em up and put them on but also makes reviewers' skin feel soft and looks dewy and fresh. Ahhhhh!
7. Acure Brilliantly Brightening Facial Scrub says "BEGONE!" to dirt and oil. It's formulated with sea kelp and French green clay to soften and detox your skin *without* removing all the moisture so it doesn't cause new breakouts.
8. Blume Meltdown Acne Oil is great spot treatment to use pre-moisturizer whenever you feel a breakout coming on — it'll help soothe, heal, and reduce inflammation while you get your Zzs in. You can also add it to your favorite clay mask!
9. Diva Stuff Anti-Bacterial Pillow Mist kills acne-causing bacteria so you don't have to change out your pillowcases as often. AND, thanks to its soothing lavender scent, you'll be off to a solid dose of beauty sleep in no time.
10. Glossier Solution is an easy-to-use exfoliant chockfull of promising acids (AHA, BHA, and PHA, oh my!) that reduce acne and dark spots, brighten, improve skin tone and texture, unclog pores, exfoliate, and reduce signs of stress. Like, that's a lot of stuff.
11. Foreo Luna Mini 2, a silicone face-cleansing brush, washes and exfoliates, scrubbing every drop of makeup, dirt, and oil from your face with each vibrating pulse so you know you're getting a *thorough*, pore-clearing clean — in just 60 seconds.
12. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is like a big ole glass of OJ for your face. Thanks to its blend of antioxidants, vitamins C and E, ferulic and hyaluronic acids, not only will it help you get that "woke up like this" glow and reduce discoloration, but tons of reviewers note that it's helped clear their skin!
13. Or if you're looking for something a little stronger, Eva Naturals Skin-Clearing Serum combines 20% vitamin C with 2% salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and niacinamide to reduce inflammation, soothe irritation, and even out skin tone.
14. My Konjac Activated Bamboo Charcoal Sponge physically exfoliates your skin, but super gently, while the activated charcoal removes excess oil and combats bacteria, meaning smoother skin today and less acne in the long run.
15. Herbivore Blue Tansy Oil is the perfect go-to if you'd like to add an oil to your routine (especially if you're interested in trying facial massage) — this one is specifically formulated for oily and acne-prone skin to ~balance~ and hydrate!
16. Humane Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Treatment contains the maximum dose of benzoyl peroxide — aka it's NAHT for sensitive skin — so it's a great (and cruelty-free) option that'll clear pores and kill bacteria to give you long-lasting results for the most stubborn acne.
17. Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen might finally get you to put on sunscreen — and do so every dang day. Want SPF but afraid it's gonna make you break out? 1. Same. 2. This weightless, broad-spectrum SPF 35 formula won't turn greasy, and the Japanese wild rose will actually diminish the appearance of pores.
18. Or if you're looking for a fragrance-free (and less expensive) option, La Roche Posay Toleraine Moisturizer has SPF 30, plus niacinamide, ceramides, and glycerin for smooth, soft skin without any irritation or greasy feeling — with *no* breakouts to be found.
19. Versed Just Breathe Clarifying Serum works to de-congest pores, control excess sebum production, and reduce inflammation (thanks, niacinamide, zinc, and willow bark extract!). Pro tip: apply to your skin while still damp for better absorption.
20. Bye Bye Blemish Acne Treatment Drying Lotion is infused with salicylic acid, sulfur, and other all-natural ingredients to dry out acne spots without drying out your skin. Don't shake before use! Just dip a Q-tip right in and apply.
21. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask clears out pores, rids skin of pollutants from the air, removes excess oil, and squashes any burgeoning pimples in their tracks.
22. Skinfood Egg White Pore Foam tightens skin and pores, thanks to protein-rich albumen (that's the egg white) so your skin is ridded of oil and impurities, leading to fewer breakouts and surprise clogged pores in the long run.
23. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser removes impurities and buffs away dead skin while nourishing with a potent blend of pineapple and papaya enzymes. A tropical vacation away from acne? Sign me up!
24. Frank Body Charcoal Face Cleanser's anti-bacterial blend of activated charcoal, echinacea, and natural oils (coconut, sweet almond, and grapeseed) powers away impurities without stripping skin of its moisture so you can use it morning and night.
25. Aztec Secret Healing Clay Mask ~pulsates~ as it works its magic, banishing the toughest acne and deep cleaning your pores with calcium bentonite clay.
26. Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick makes taking care of your skin while traveling so much easier. No suitcase spills, no taking up tons of carry-on room. Just swipe the stick all over damp skin, and the blend of 13 natural oils will breakdown cosmetics while the bits of green tea leaf gently exfoliate. Hello brighter, clearer skin!
27. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water has your back when it comes to effortlessly cleaning your face. It *gently* removes makeup, dirt, grime, and residue from the day, leaving your skin cleansed but not stripped. Dry, acne-prone skin? You might be cleansing too harshly.
28. Radha Rosehip Oil has over 3,500 5-star reviewers who say it not only hydrates their skin, but also reduce redness and breakouts, thanks to the rich blend of fatty acids and antioxidants.
29. Dr. Oracle A-Thera Tea Tree Peeling Sticks target congested pores and blackheads, precisely exfoliating (hello blend of AHA and BHA), lifting dead skin cells, and smoothing bumpy skin with the giant Q-tip–esque stick.
30. Bolden Overnight Spa Treatment works overnight to stop pimples in their drafts. Just dot it on as needed and the sulfur formula kills bacteria and exfoliates to hasten the zit's imminent demise.
31. TreeActive Invisible Acne Treatment lives up to its name, going on CLEAR so you can wear it under makeup or on its own — no one will know the peppermint and tea tree oil formula is going to town on your zits, reducing size and redness.
My skin, every time it clogs a pore to bring FrEsH sTrEsS to my life.
