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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 its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Want glowing, clear skin? Look no further!
Apply when your pimple is ~ripe~ and white pus is visible.
Promising review: "These things are amaze-balls! Just pop your white head pimple a little, put this wonderful little patch on before sleep, and BOOM — it’s practically gone the next day. You won’t spend days trying to clear the gunk from your zit — these dry it out and you don’t have to worry about acne scars either, especially if you're a compulsive picker like me." —Amanda Jarvis
Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $4.80.
Promising review: "Yay! This stuff is a lifesaver. Recently my doctor put me on steroids to clear up my allergies, but as a side effect, I immediately started breaking out like I was 15 again. I didn't have a good exfoliator and this one had such good reviews that I decided to try it out. It really works! In eight days my skin was almost back to normal, and felt clean as can be! My dark acne spots were significantly lighter and all the little bumps I had were gone. Will be buying this from here on out." —Janelle
Get it from Amazon for $9.06 (cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny and PETA certified).
Promising review: "I prefer to double cleanse with an oil or balm cleanser on days I wear makeup or sunscreen, but my skin was getting too annoyed with the foaming cleansers I was using afterward. Now that northern California is burning all around me and winter is coming, my skin needed this cleanser! This is like a mix between a milk and a gel, but it does not foam up. It has a lot of slip and feels cooling on my face. I love the big bottle size and for a slightly pricey brand, this cleanser is fairly priced. I will continue to repurchase this and I bought a bottle for my best friend who has the most sensitive, reactive skin ever, and she loves it too. :)" —gwangarang
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in a purifying version for normal to oily skin).
Promising review: "Really helps reduce the redness I have in my cheeks with my mild rosacea and doesn't make me break out like other heavy night creams." —Chicago913
Get it from Amazon for $13.29.
Promising review: "I've always been one who didn't want to take the time to slather my skin in some lotion that took forever to sink in. I have found the holy grail of solutions!! This lotion has the consistency of conditioner. I turn off my shower and it only takes a minute to apply. I don't even pat it dry. I just throw on my robe and start applying my face. It absorbs quickly and it keeps my skin hydrated ALL day! Love it!" —Meagan
Get it from Amazon for $6.84.
Promising review: "Bio-Oil was recommended to me by my physical therapist after I had a knee replacement. I apply it twice a day and it feels great — and my scar is slowly fading, especially further down my leg. I use this on my elbows too, since they get rough and dry. I like the smooth feeling it leaves. I’d buy Bio-Oil again!" —Christy Davis
Read our full writeup on this oil to learn more!
Get it from Amazon for $8.92 (for the two-ounce; also available in a larger size)
Promising review: "My face is pretty much always red for some reason. I also have some acne scars that are healing ever since I started seeing a dermatologist. This stuff is AMAZING. It really does neutralize all of my redness and scars. I haven't really worn makeup since I started using this stuff. Makes your skin hydrated and flawless!" —kt1709
For more deets, read a BuzzFeeder's full review to learn more (#10)!
Get it from Amazon for $50.80 or Sephora for $18+ (available in two sizes).
But wait! There are other products in the Cicapair line: Tiger Grass Cream, Tiger Grass Re.Pair Serum, Tiger Grass Camo Drops, and Tiger Grass Nightly Re.Pair Mask.
Promising review: "Every winter, my fingers and knuckles crack and bleed. I've tried everything on the market to heal my hands. I received this hand cream yesterday and when I put it on, I could tell right away that this was better than anything I'd tried. This stuff started working immediately. I filled all the cuts and cracks on my hands with this cream, and today they are almost healed. I believe that this is the best hand cream ever made on earth." —Steve
Get it from Amazon for $6.49.
Promising review: "One of the best foaming face washes I've used, and I've tried a lot. It really cleans your face well without being overdrying. I usually try to always remove my makeup first, but when I forget to or am just too lazy, this face wash still gets my face super clean!! It has also significantly reduced the congestion in my pores." —LLD180
Get it from Amazon for $10.06+ (available in two sizes).
It's vegan, cruelty-free, and contains organic argan oil and pomegranate seed oil, as well as antioxidant extracts such as sea buckthorn berry and goji!
Promising review: "I've spent hundreds of dollars on products to lighten the dark spots on my face from acne scarring. This has been the only product that not only lightened the dark spots, but it didn't make me break out more! This is like liquid gold for me. I recommend this to anyone who has sensitive skin like me and is looking to get rid of their dark spots. I'm on my second bottle and I get compliments all the time that my skin looks like it's glowing. Also, for the first time in forever I leave out the house with only a tinted CC cream on my face and feel confident that my skin looks good! I will be a customer for life!" —Nenah
Get it from Amazon for $27.19 (cruelty-free, PETA certified).
Promising review: "This gel has completely changed the texture of my skin and is not too harsh like other chemical exfoliants I have tried. My combo/acne prone skin looks more even and feels super smooth. My makeup looks better too!" —Angie
Get it from Amazon for $29 (cruelty free, Leaping Bunny and PETA certified).
Read my full writeup "I Swear By This Highly-Rated Low pH Gel Cleanser To Clean Out My Pores" to learn more about why I love it so much!
Promising review: "Finally something that doesn't strip my face!! I've noticed my skin looking better and a little bit brighter after a week and a half. I also notice my scars are looking much softer and better. Now I can't wait to try Cosrx's other products like the AHA/BHA toner and snail cream." —Musicman
Get it from Amazon for $10.34.
Promising review: "I like to use these as an in-shower facial mask to break down oils on my super-oily skin! I've noticed my skin clearing up after I started using these. Also a great makeup remover! I have very sensitive skin, and haven't had any irritation." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (cruelty-free, PETA certified).
Start with the textured side and then follow up with the softer, padded side. You can also totally cut your pads in half to make your supply last longer, since you might not need that much product anyways.
Promising review: "These pads are a must-have! I have oily skin and suffer from hormonal acne (occasional whites heads and cystic pimples). These pads calmed my breakouts immediately. They also smooth, plump, and moisturize." —Britt
Get a container of 30 from Amazon for $23+ (available in lemon, green tea, and wine; cruelty-free).
Promising review: "I’m 24 and I have crazy dry skin, so I never really had acne on my face, but starting about three months ago I started getting horrible cystic zits on my forehead (possibly hormone-related). They were really painful and always came to huge whiteheads. I tried a lot of typical drugstore brand spot treatments, but none of them did much — then a friend recommend Mario Badescu’s dying lotion, and THANK THE DEAR LORD SHE DID. Over the course of two or three weeks I used the spot treatment as directed and it was extremely effective. It seems like it’s had a lasting effect because I’ve been cystic zit–free for about three weeks now! If you’re looking for a product that specifically acts as a spot treatment and not an overall face treatment, look no further. For real, buy it." —Christa Rose
Get it from Amazon for $17.
Water lily and sea grass extracts help condition and promote your skin's ability to retain moisture, and it also has illuminating pigments for a healthy glow. You could say it goes above and beyond the regular call of duty for a moisturizer.
Promising review: "Moisturizes without clogging my pores! I have cystic acne and this is the best moisturizer Ive found — I use it before bed and in the morning to prep my skin before applying primer." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $31.50.
Read my full review on this refreshing spray for more deets!
Promising review: "I always have dry skin and this is one of my lifesavers. I keep spraying it on throughout the whole day, because why not? It smells great and makes my skin dewy and fresh all the time!!" —Mariel Nikki Olgado
Get it from Amazon for $7+, or get all three scents (rosewater, cucumber, and lavender) for $21.
Promising review: "I have a medium-tan olive complexion, and it’s always difficult to find sunscreens that don’t leave a white cast. This sunscreen is clear! I couldn’t be happier about that. I have also suffered from terrible acne and even used Accutane, so I am wary of products that might irritate my skin. This sunscreen is so smooth, doesn’t irritate my skin, has a lightweight feel, and offers the protection my skin needs from the sun. I never liked using sunscreen because of the greasy/oily feeling and shiny outcome. The Unseen Sunscreen does not feel greasy AT ALL! And neither does it have that typical SPF smell that is off-putting. To sum it up: YES, PLEASE!" —dancebyrachana
Get it from Sephora or Nordstrom for $32 (cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny and PETA certified).
Just start with dry hands, dispense a pre-measured dose of powder, add a bit of water, work into a lather, and then massage onto your face before rinsing everything off!
Promising review: "This has transformed my skin. Like previous reviewers, I use this in the morning in the shower. It sloughs dead skin off gently, removing impurities and creating a smooth canvas for makeup application. No primer needed! It has cleared up my persistent acne and is starting to fade existing acne scars. Earns MVP!" —kjebeauty
Get it from Sephora for $22+.
Promising review: "Amazing drugstore alternative to high end or K-beauty cleansing balms! This lightweight balm melts into the skin, while gently but effectively removing makeup, dirt, and oils. Rinses away easily and leaves no filmy residue. I love to double cleanse with it at night, but I also use it to gently refresh and awaken my face in the mornings. The formula is lightly fragranced — not overwhelming or lingering — which just adds a touch of luxury each time I use it." —anju8776
Get the Cleansing Balm from Target, or Walmart for $9.99 or the original Cold Cream Cleanser from Amazon for $6.48+.
Promising review: "This stuff is absolutely amazing. It is definitely a weird texture to get used to since it spreads more like a gel than a lotion, but it dries quickly and feels amazing on my face afterwards. I have psoriasis and chronic dry skin, but with my new regimen (which includes some Mizon snail ointment), I never have problems with dry skin. It was life-changing for me really." —Amanda
Get it from Amazon for $14.79.
Promising review: "HOLY GRAIL of skincare, almost as good as a retinol. Keeps breakouts at bay, heals existing ones. It also assists with smoothing out your complexion — just use it consistently and you will see results." —Paul
Get it from Amazon for $84+ (not certified, but its website says, "We never test on animals and do not use ingredients sourced from animals.")
Promising review: "My skin never feels overly oily but I am very prone to clogged pores and big, painful acne spots. I'm a tired, lazy mom of a one-year-old boy and I never have the energy at the end of the day to actually cleanse my face the way I should, so my complexion is always gross. I tried these as a way to at least do SOMETHING for my skin. Let me say, I am very impressed. These wipes do huge things for getting my acne under control. I can have a super big, deep painful angry blemish, wipe my face down before bed, and wake up to that blemish being significantly smaller and on its way to healing. I'm very happy with these and would buy them again once I run out." —Lou Lou
Get one pack (30 tissues) from Ulta for $5.99.
Read my full review of this heavenly-smelling sleeping mask (and its matching, but more lightweight, moisturizer!) for more deets (#8)!
Promising review: "This mask is amazing. Even after the first use, I woke up to baby-soft, even toned skin. Not to mention it smells like heaven! After extended use, I don't need to exfoliate as often and my skin is consistently baby-soft. I have sensitive skin but have no issues with this mask. It's so good!" —Kresme
Get it from Sephora for $22+ (not certified, but their website states that they do not test on animals, nor do they curate brands who do).
Promising review: "At the price you really can't go wrong. I use one very other night and leave the mask on for about 15 min right before bed and then wake up to softer skin. They improved my fine lines and wrinkles." —Brady Brady
Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $9.44.
Promising review: "This stuff is magic. I study math all day until I reach a zombified state, at which point my skin looks dull and I swear it radiates a grayish hue. But then I put this on at night as the last step in my regimen before my moisturizer, and I somehow wake up looking like a well-to-do Korean woman. The oil penetrates deep into your skin's surface, and then the tiny oil molecules go all Julian Michaels on your skin cells." —SLC
Promising review: "This product worked wonders for me. I've been having bad acne problems for more than two years. I've used everything that my dermatologist told me to use but to no avail. I was about to give up, but after reading up on the reviews about this product, I gave it a try. After three months of using it, my face cleared up — no more scars and no more cystic-like acne." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12 (cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny and PETA certified).
This legit feels amazing when tapped/patted into your skin. I'll go with three or more layers usually!
Promising review: "I have sensitive skin so I'm a bit apprehensive when introducing a new product to my skin, but my skin didn't have a bad reaction with this product. It's light and doesn't feel heavy on my skin. Also, I live in an area with dry weather, and this still kept my skin soft and moisturized." —Tammy
Get it from Soko Glam for $38.
Promising review: "I used to roll my eyes at people making claims like 'I noticed a difference after one use' and thought there's no possible way. But seriously, after ONE USE of this, I actually could see a difference. My breakouts shrunk down and inflammation decreased, my post-acne marks lightened, and my skin overall just looked fresh. This is the only face product I've repurchased in years, and I'm not sure how I survived without it." —Erica
Get it from Target for $15 (3.4 oz) or Anthropologie for $29 (cruelty-free).
Promising review: "This serum was recommended to me after my facial by my esthetician. I can honestly tell you this is the best skincare product I have EVER purchased. My skin immediately looks so much smoother and almost 'plumped.' Makeup goes on like a dream and I need less of it because my skin tone has completely evened out and looks ridiculously radiant! Worth every penny; it's a game-changer." —Shlee
Get it from Ulta or Dermstore for $87 (cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny and PETA certified).
Promising review: "I am absolutely obsessed with this product. I have very sensitive skin prone to breakouts and it has helped me clear my skin, brighten it, and keep it clean. Looking at the dirty cotton pad after swiping it on my face makes me so happy because I know it is catching everything that my cleanser isn't. It has such a pleasant lychee scent and the beauty water feels refreshing. This is now a permanent fixture in my otherwise constantly-changing skincare routine." —chocominty
Promising review (for the night serum): "After a few months of keeping up with it, I have no more breakouts and everything is smooth. I don't even wear foundation or powder anymore — and let me tell you, it is so liberating. A little goes a long way: I just do one pump and spread it around on my face and under my jaw line before bed. Such a great product." —Mrs. Incredible
Get the C-Firma Day Serum from Sephora for $80 and the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum for $90+ (available in two sizes).
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The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.