[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4271″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]June may be Acne Awareness Month, but your battle for clear skin is a year-round undertaking. Take charge of your complexion and exile breakouts and excess oil once and for all with salicylic acid, green tea and other potent acne fighters.
Story by Anna M. Park[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4275″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]In the battle against acne and oily skin, the first step is a cleanser with salicylic acid to penetrate sebum-clogged pores. This one also contains the astringent witch hazel and oleanolic acid, an olive leaf extract to soothe inflammation and reduce redness. Clinical studies show a 94% reduction in excess oiliness after use. Cosmedicine Healthy Cleanse-Oily, $52, cosmedicine.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4278″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]It’s a myth that acne is caused by dirt; in fact, stripping your skin of its natural oils can lead to an overproduction of oil and clogged pores. So make sure to use a cleanser that’s SLS-free (sodium lauryl sulfate), like this one, which also has lavender and tea tree extracts to balance sebum, as well as antioxidant green tea extract to calm irritated skin. Elemental Herbology Cool & Clear Facial Cleanser, $52, elementalherbology.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4280″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]After cleansing, balance skin’s pH with a toning mist. Willow bark (a milder form of salicylic acid), bearberry and peach extracts, which is naturally rich in AHAs, also help to reduce sebum in this all-natural, botanical-rich hydrating toner. John Masters Bearberry Skin Balancing & Toning Mist, $30, johnmasters.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4277″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The potency of this blemish treatment, which contains a combined 8% AHA and BHA (salicylic acid) for some serious exfoliation, is only exceeded by its all-natural and organic ingredient list. Ecco Bella Natural Leave-On Invisible Exfoliant and Blemish Remedy, $31, eccobella.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4279″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]This intensive acne fighter features tea tree oil that is microencapsulated for a sustained release of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory oil fighters all day long, while willow bark extract penetrates pores and buchu leaf extract mattifies skin. Éminence Clear Skin Targeted Treatment, $65, buynaturalskincare.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4274″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Sometimes you need to bring out the big guns for serious breakout emergencies. Benzoyl peroxide in this spot treatment helps shrink existing blemishes and prevent future, persistent breakouts. Clinique Acne Solutions Emergency Gel-Lotion, $17.50, clinique.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4273″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Pore penetrating salicylic acid (2%), soothing aloe vera and witch hazel, which has an astringent effect, helps prep skin for subsequent acne treatments, all in a convenient one-time use pad. ClarityMD Skin Clarifying Acne Pads, $25, myclaritymd.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4270″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Even oily and acne-prone skin needs hydration, especially if you’re using potent acne treatments, which can sometimes be drying. This organic moisturizer has lilac stem cells, which were shown in a clinical study to reduce excess sebum, a contributor to breakouts, by 72%. Acure Oil Control Facial Moisturizer, $16.99, acureorganics.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4282″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Adult acne is on the rise, and more and more people are finding themselves battling both pimples and wrinkles. A well-formulated moisturizer can help with both, and this one not only fights wrinkles with kombucha, retinol and glycolic acid, it also helps clear breakouts all day with encapsulated salicylic acid. Murad Advanced Acne & Wrinkle Reducer, $44, murad.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4283″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]You don’t get just willow bark extract to help purge pores in this moisturizer — a host of active botanicals help sop up excess sebum, normalize oil production, and mattify. The soothing gel texture is a bonus for troubled, irritated skin. Ren Clarimatte T-Zone Balancing Gel Cream, $52, renskincare.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4272″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Hydrogel masks not only cling to the contours of your face better that a cotton or paper sheet mask, it offers cooling relief, especially important when your face is battling a breakout. So sit back and relax while green tea helps to reduce inflammation and reduce sebum production, and marine collagen hydrates and softens skin. Boscia Green Tea Mattifying Hydrogel Mask, $8, sephora.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4276″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Activated charcoal is known for its detoxifying properties, acting as a magnet for micro-pollutants in the skin, while kaolin and bentonite clays are stellar at absorbing excess oil. You get all this and two kinds of seaweed to hydrate and protect skin from environmental pollutants in this multi-tasking mask. Derma-e Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask, $19.50, dermae.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4281″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Since you wear a sheet mask for 20 minutes, your skin is better able to absorb nutrients from the serum. This one is made from biodegradable wood pulp, which retains 50% more moisture than synthetic materials, while salicylic acid and anti-inflammatory honey treat and calm blemishes. Karuna Clarifying+ Face Mask, $28 for 4, karunaskin.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Impact photo: Red Door for Area[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
