How I Cured My Acne Using Only Drugstore Products

By Meghan Lee Tipton

Updated on 3/18/2018 at 9:50 AM

POPSUGAR Photography | Meghan Tipton
POPSUGAR Photography | Meghan Tipton
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I've suffered from acne for as long as I can remember. In high school I had small bumps covering my cheeks and would get random zits constantly. Starting in my 20s, my skin got worse and my acne turned cystic. To top it off, I'd still get whiteheads and had large pores with super dull skin . . . I had just about every skin problem you could imagine.

The only time my skin was ever clear was when I took oral medication, which I hated because of the negative side effects and lack of long-term safety testing. I'd go on the medicine, my skin would be flawless, I'd go off, and my skin would erupt again. This endless cycle continued until I decided to completely give up, and at 28 I had come to terms with the fact that beautiful skin just wasn't in the cards for me.

Then, a few months ago, I saw my friend Sam who I hadn't seen since high school. Sam never had terrible skin, but it definitely wasn't as luminous as it is now. She was literally glowing. I knew that whatever routine she was following was the reason that her skin was so perfect — and that's when Sam became my skincare guru. She taught me about ingredients, her favorite products, and most importantly, when to use the products and in what order. I'm forever indebted to Sam for my (almost) flawless skin, and wanted to share her secrets for all of you acne sufferers out there.

Morning Routine

Morning Routine

Cleansers that are made for acne usually have salicylic acid in them, so using them with other products can dry your skin out. This Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Facial Creme Cleanser ($10) isn't specifically made for acne, so you can follow up with acids of your choice after using it. My skin always feels really hydrated after I wash with this.

After cleansing, I exfoliate with salicylic acid, which is the best acid for acne prone skin. Salicylic is a BHA, so it penetrates the skin's surface and clears the inside of the pores. These Oxy 90ct Daily Defense Cleansing Pads ($4) are perfect for treating clogged pores and obviously, acne.

After you exfoliate, you should follow up with an active ingredient. There are a ton of different kinds, all with different benefits, but Vitamin C is by far my favorite. This Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum Natural Fragrance Oils ($22) brightens my skin, so it's really effective at healing scarring or discoloration caused from acne. It also makes me feel radiant, and who wouldn't love that?

After your acid exfoliants and active ingredients, you should always moisturize to seal it in. I love this Yes to Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer ($8) because it's really light and hydrating but doesn't make my skin feel greasy. I use this at night also if I'm not feeling like I need extra moisture before bed.

Sunscreen is the absolute BEST thing you can do for your skin. It's the most important step of any skincare routine, and it mortifies me to think I didn't used to use it daily. Since active ingredients can promote faster cell turnover, you need to make sure your fresh skin is protected. I like Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 55 ($13) because it doesn't make me too shiny and my makeup goes over it nicely.

Night Routine

Night Routine

At night, I double cleanse. The first cleanse is to remove my makeup, the second is to really make sure I'm clean. This Botanics Organic Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm ($10) has become one of my favorite parts of my day. It's oil-based, so you apply it to your dry face, right on top of your makeup. Then, run a clean washcloth under warm water, and hold it on your face. I can feel the steam literally drawing the impurities out of my pores. Use the washcloth to wipe off the remainder, and then you're ready for your second cleanse.

I use my tried and true again. This is a damn good cleanser.

I was really skeptical of this goofy-looking Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask ($30) until I started seeing results. Out of everything I use, I feel like the light therapy has made the biggest impact on my acne. It has red lights that target bacteria and blue lights to reduce inflammation. Yes, you will look like Daft Punk momentarily, but I can promise you, it's worth the 10 minutes a night.

After I use the light mask, I finish the rest of my routine. I use these Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Extreme Pads ($15) as my nightly acid exfoliator. Glycolic acid is an AHA, which helps gently eliminate dead skin cells and absorb moisture. There are many different AHAs — glycolic, lactic, mandelic, etc. — but glycolic is the most readily available and works best on my skin. I encourage you to try different AHAs if you don't love glycolic!

Differin ($29) is a Vitamin A gel — and a total game changer. Vitamin A (also known commonly as retinoids) is an active ingredient that promotes cell regeneration. For acne sufferers, that means healing your acne faster and preventing new breakouts when your fresh skin surfaces. You can buy it over-the-counter now, but it used to only be available with a prescription — so you know it's good.

Normally, I moisturize at night with the Say Yes to Tomatoes moisturizer. If I feel like my skin is extra dry or if it's winter and I need extra hydration, I'll use Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Creme ($12). It's thicker and I absolutely love the consistency.

Clay masks are crucial for acne prone skin as they help draw oil out of your skin. I love the Freeman line. The brand has a ton of different clay masks and it's all great. You just want to be careful with clay masks since it can have a drying effect. I use Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Clay Mask Avocado & Oatmeal ($3) twice a week, usually on Wednesdays and Sundays.