3 Holy Grail Drugstore Acne Treatments and How To Use Them
Certain celebrities and social media stars such as, Zendaya have finally started sharing their coveted skincare routines. Unfortunately, not all of us have the money to spend on these so-called "miracle products", but there is a way to achieve Zendaya-like skin. Since most of us were not born with the perfect skin gene, there are a lot of us who struggle with acne. Thankfully there is an array of affordable products designated for the acne-prone people of the world. Personally, I have battled mild to moderate acne since middle school and have tried everything from prescriptions, to expensive high end treatments. Through lots of trial and error, I have finally found the Holy Trinity of drugstore products ((woop woop)) that will have your face cleared in no time. And by "no time" I mean, a while of persistent use and upkeep because there is no such thing as an easy solution to acne. Okay here we go!
1) 10% Benzoyl Peroxide ( $5-$8 )
Synopsis:
Man oh man is this stuff powerful. Its the A-Bomb of drugstore acne treatments. This is the stuff that is going to clear out the majority of your acne. Like all of these products, it is a topical cream that comes in a tube. You can find it at any drugstore.
How To Use It:
How you use this product largely depends on your skin type. I have combination skin that gets dry very quickly, so I have to be super careful when using it. In fact, if I use too much my skin becomes very red, itchy, and actually swells up. I don't mean to scare you but you really have to proceed with caution when using this product. However, some people can slather it on morning and night everyday without a problem. How you use this is up to you and your skin type, but this is really going to be the product that clears out most of your acne. If your skin can handle it, I recommend applying a thin layer all over your face morning and night after you wash your face. Unfortunately, I doubt most people can do this, so try using it as a spot treatment. In other words, only use it in the areas that contain the most acne. If your skin becomes dry or irritated, stop use for a few days.
2) 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide ( $5-$8 )
Synopsis:
This is my personal favorite out of the 3. It's powerful but it doesn't kill my skin. Again, it is a topical cream that comes in a tube. You can find it any drugstore, however it usually hidden on the very bottom or very top shelf. Not sure why.
How To Use It:
Again, how you use this product largely depends on your skin type. I'm willing to bet that most people can use this all over morning and night without a problem, and this is what I recommend if your skin can handle it. Again, if you are like me and have more sensitive skin, try using it morning and night 2 days on and 2 days off. Otherwise, this is a great all-around acne treatment that packs a punch.
3) Salicylic Acid ( $8.99 )
Synopsis:
The name sounds scary but it is actually the least intense of the 3. It is a topical cream that comes in a tube. You can find it any drugstore.
How To Use It:
Salicylic acid is very near and dear. It can be a fantastic all-over treatment for those of us with extremely sensitive skin; however, I find that the effectiveness begins to fade with continuous usage. Although it may not be great for the more noticeable blemishes, it demolishes blackheads and shrinks pores. I absolutely LOVE this stuff for my nose. I only use it on my nose and other areas where I have more noticeable pores and it is totally effective. It does the work that benzoyl peroxide can't. I find that benzoyl peroxide actually has very little effect on blackheads for me. Thankfully, salicylic acid steps up to the plate.
Summery:
10% Benzoyl Peroxide: Use as a spot treatment on problematic areas only (or all over if your skin can handle it) as often as your skin will allow.
2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide: Use as an all over treatment as often as your skin will allow.
Salicylic Acid: Use on areas prone to blackheads and large pores as often as your skin will allow. Can also be used as an all over treatment, although not as effective.
All in all, these products are amazing when used together. Keep in mind that the use of these products depends on your skin. You do not have to use all 3 products at once and you do not have to apply them morning and night. Although I do recommend purchasing the "Holy Trinity", how you use them is up to you and your skin. If you use these 3 magic products along with a regular skincare routine ((cleansing and moisturizing twice a day)), your skin should be nothing short of poppin!
xoxo,
The Glow To Girl
1) 10% Benzoyl Peroxide ( $5-$8 )
Synopsis:
Man oh man is this stuff powerful. Its the A-Bomb of drugstore acne treatments. This is the stuff that is going to clear out the majority of your acne. Like all of these products, it is a topical cream that comes in a tube. You can find it at any drugstore.
How To Use It:
How you use this product largely depends on your skin type. I have combination skin that gets dry very quickly, so I have to be super careful when using it. In fact, if I use too much my skin becomes very red, itchy, and actually swells up. I don't mean to scare you but you really have to proceed with caution when using this product. However, some people can slather it on morning and night everyday without a problem. How you use this is up to you and your skin type, but this is really going to be the product that clears out most of your acne. If your skin can handle it, I recommend applying a thin layer all over your face morning and night after you wash your face. Unfortunately, I doubt most people can do this, so try using it as a spot treatment. In other words, only use it in the areas that contain the most acne. If your skin becomes dry or irritated, stop use for a few days.
2) 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide ( $5-$8 )
Synopsis:
This is my personal favorite out of the 3. It's powerful but it doesn't kill my skin. Again, it is a topical cream that comes in a tube. You can find it any drugstore, however it usually hidden on the very bottom or very top shelf. Not sure why.
How To Use It:
Again, how you use this product largely depends on your skin type. I'm willing to bet that most people can use this all over morning and night without a problem, and this is what I recommend if your skin can handle it. Again, if you are like me and have more sensitive skin, try using it morning and night 2 days on and 2 days off. Otherwise, this is a great all-around acne treatment that packs a punch.
3) Salicylic Acid ( $8.99 )
Synopsis:
The name sounds scary but it is actually the least intense of the 3. It is a topical cream that comes in a tube. You can find it any drugstore.
How To Use It:
Salicylic acid is very near and dear. It can be a fantastic all-over treatment for those of us with extremely sensitive skin; however, I find that the effectiveness begins to fade with continuous usage. Although it may not be great for the more noticeable blemishes, it demolishes blackheads and shrinks pores. I absolutely LOVE this stuff for my nose. I only use it on my nose and other areas where I have more noticeable pores and it is totally effective. It does the work that benzoyl peroxide can't. I find that benzoyl peroxide actually has very little effect on blackheads for me. Thankfully, salicylic acid steps up to the plate.
Summery:
10% Benzoyl Peroxide: Use as a spot treatment on problematic areas only (or all over if your skin can handle it) as often as your skin will allow.
2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide: Use as an all over treatment as often as your skin will allow.
Salicylic Acid: Use on areas prone to blackheads and large pores as often as your skin will allow. Can also be used as an all over treatment, although not as effective.
All in all, these products are amazing when used together. Keep in mind that the use of these products depends on your skin. You do not have to use all 3 products at once and you do not have to apply them morning and night. Although I do recommend purchasing the "Holy Trinity", how you use them is up to you and your skin. If you use these 3 magic products along with a regular skincare routine ((cleansing and moisturizing twice a day)), your skin should be nothing short of poppin!
xoxo,
The Glow To Girl
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