We don’t have to tell you that adult acne is a major problem, especially for women. Despite the deluge of new in-office treatments and products hitting Sephora, Ulta Beauty and the like, it’s a problem that’s only getting worse. Some doctors say they’re seeing double the amount of patients with adult acne compared to five years ago, according to a report in The New York Times.
While hormonal (think: getting off birth control pills) and environmental factors (think: stress) are often to blame for a new crop of breakouts, so are multistep beauty routines. That’s right, not only is that 20-step, Korean-inspired beauty regimen eating up a huge chunk of time and wallet space, it may very well be doing more harm than good.
But the news isn’t all bad. In fact, there are a number of products not explicitly created to treat acne that do a great job at both treating and preventing future breakouts. Here’s a look at some of the best and why they work.
The Best Acne Fighters...That Don't Actually Bill Themselves as Acne Fighters
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Therapedic
Small Weighted Blanket, $149.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond
When you don't get enough sleep, it sets off a chain reaction in the body that includes hormonal fluctuations that can cause and worsen acne. For the supremely stressed, falling asleep or staying asleep can be a real challenge, which is where this weighted blanket comes in. It comes in a variety of different weights depending on your own body weight and is designed to help relax your nervous system. Basically, they're body pillows on steroids that help you sleep better and, ultimately, clear up your skin.
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Bawdy
Squeeze It, $9 at Bawdy
Bawdy is a line of butt masks — yep, you heard that right. Why should your face get all the pampering? This mask has ingredients to both exfoliate skin to help prevent breakouts and treat existing spots. Plus, it's just a fun, totally memorable thing to do on a lazy Saturday night.
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Philosophy
Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Mask, $35 at Sephora
The actives in this mask work to draw out impurities, scrub away blackheads and shrink the look of pores. It also works great as an overnight spot treatment to help dry out pimples.
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No B.S.
Charcoal Detox Peel-Off Mask, $45 at No B.S.
Totally oil-free, this peel-off mask is full of purifying ingredients to treat both hyperpigmentation and breakouts. It feels great on skin and is totally free of any harsh chemicals, synthetics or parabens.
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LaserAway Beauty
Drenched, $42 at LaserAway Beauty
It's important to keep skin hydrated to prevent it from overproducing oils. This hyaluronic acid-enriched moisturizer does the trick.
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Dr. Dennis Gross
Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, $88 at Dr. Dennis Gross
These two-step pads (you just need a minute or two between each pad) are formulated with five of the most powerful OTC acids (lactic, malic, glycolic, citric and salicylic) to leave your skin brighter and totally unclogged after a single use. Remember, chemical exfoliation is the way to go.
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Miriam Quevedo
A-Helix Advanced Intense Renewal Gel Cream, $95 at Miriam Quevedo
This is designed as an anti-aging treatment, but a number of actives are anti-inflammatory, exfoliating and antioxidant-rich, making it great for acne as well.
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Beautycounter
Overnight Resurfacing Peel, $58 at Beautycounter
Just google this product and you'll find a long list of glowing reviews that point to its ability to clear up skin.
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Instytutum
Resurfacing Glow Toner, $49 at Instytutum
While this toner has multiple benefits, one of the main ones is that it effectively reduces sebum production and impurities, which often cause acne.
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L:a Bruket
187 Fennel Seed Facial Wash, $39 at L:a Bruket
This cleanser is formulated with fennel, an antibacterial, and seaweed that helps detox skin of dirt and other impurities without leaving it dry.
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Bliss
The Real Peel T-Zone & Pores Prism Purple Peel-Off Mask With Charcoal Powder, $15 at Ulta Beauty
This peel-off mask earns brownie points because of its purple shimmer. It's designed to tackle oily T-zones and we all know too much oil is a root cause of breakouts.
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Nuria
Hydrate Refreshing Micellar Water, $26 at Nuria
This new line's products are all mineral oil-free, making them perfect for those who suffer from acne/oily skin but still need hydration. Better yet, instead of investing big bucks on flashy marketing, the brand put all its money into sourcing the best plant-based ingredients and plans to donate a significant portion of proceeds to She’s the First to support girls who are the first in their families to graduate high school.
