Throughout all of high school, I washed my face with a bar of soap and water — I almost never dealt with acne. But as soon as I hit my 20s, zits started popping up regularly and I knew I had to take my skincare routine more seriously. As a shopping editor, I have tried hundreds of beauty products, but I have found that the tried-and-true drugstore formulas work best for my pimples. With my improved daily routine, I rarely ever have to deal with acne anymore.
If you need help getting stubborn blemishes under control, I have curated a list of the products that work best for me, all on Amazon and under $22. From a top-rated toner to a clarifying face mask and everything in between, these formulas could help you get those pimples under control for good. With such affordable prices, you might as well try out a few. Read on for all the details.
When in doubt, I can always rely on Clean & Clear Maximum Strength Persa-Gel 10 ($5) to blast stubborn zits overnight. I use it as a spot treatment before I go to bed and when I wash it off in the morning, pimples are significantly reduced if not totally gone.
This Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera ($18, set of two) is a great daily product that keeps my skin clean and unclogged. It's more gentle than typical toners, so it's ideal for sensitive skin. I appreciate that it isn't drying — my face feels refreshed after I apply it with a cotton pad.
I use this Neutrogena Acne Proofing Daily Facial Scrub With Salicylic Acid ($7, originally $9) in the shower about twice a week. It includes little beads that buff away flakes. I have also noticed that it reduces redness.
I also use this The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque ($21) when I'm having a particularly bad breakout. It sucks out any gunk really well and when I wash it off, my skin immediately feels smooth and appears brighter. I feel like I got a professional facial after I use this.
This L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Face Mask with Charcoal ($7) is another affordable mask I have found really effective. Over 1,300 customers have reviewed this mask on Amazon and 70 percent of users give it a perfect five stars.
It's important to keep your skin moisturized after using acne-fighting products, otherwise it will become even more irritated. This Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin ($10) keeps my face quenched without any greasy residue. It works wonders for acne-prone skin.
I have found that this Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Serum ($20) is particularly great at eliminating blackheads from my nose and chin. All you need to do is apply a thin layer and let it sit overnight.