Affordable way to tame oily skin and acne

We can see these products everywhere (YouTube, instagram, TikTok...) but do they really worth the hype? The Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Key ingredients: 30% AHA (glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid) 2% BHA (salicylic acid). Price: $7.20 Worth the hype?: YES! It’s one of the products that attract the most attention since its color looks like blood 🩸. There are thousands of reviews, many speak well of the product and others not so much, probably because it is not for everyone. Definitely someone with sensitive skin shouldn't use it. And those with skins that tolerate chemical exfoliation should take precautions before using it, such as: 1. Patch test (inside the arm or back of the ear) and wait at least 24 hours. 2. Do not overexfoliate, most people see this product as a mask, but it’s a chemical exfoliant, if you wash your face with an exfoliating cleanser or scrub you would definitely be overexfoliating. 3. Do not leave it more than 10 minutes. 4. Remove it completely with water, you can use cleanser to make sure you remove it completely. 5. Apply a moisturizing cream after removing it (without acids like salicylic acid, retinoids...). 6. Use sunscreen (mineral or physical). It’s normal to feel warm or slightly tingling sensation, but it must be tolerable. I like the results of this product, it leaves the skin luminous and clean. The face may be a little red but for no more than 30 minutes. It’s the type of exfoliant that I use every 2 weeks or when I require a more aggressive exfoliation. 🚨IMPORTANT: Social media has popularized the image of touching a glass vial of skin care directly to your skin. Doing this makes the dirt on your skin go directly to the product bottle contaminating it, the ideal is to apply a few drops of the product on your hand without touching it. AZTEC SECRET - Indian Healing Clay Key ingredients: Calcium bentonite clay. Price: $12.90 Worth the hype?: YES! This product became popular several years ago, it has excellent reviews from many users talking about the wonders it does. It is a 100% natural clay that helps clean the pores. It acts as a kind of impurity magnet, it can be used with water or apple cider vinegar, the second option is better because it helps to neutralize the pH of the clay. I mix it with apple cider vinegar, let it dry for 20 minutes. As it dries, you’ll feel a tightening and pulling sensation. The slight redness of the skin is normal and disappears in about 30 minutes. The pulsating feeling is intense and when the mask dries your face feels a little tight. It leaves the skin clean and makes you less prone to breakouts, in fact for this reason I bought this mask and it works very well. The ideal is to use a moisturizer after (without acids such as salicylic, retinoids ...). 🚨IMPORTANT: use non-metallic containers, spoons/spatulas. My skin type: combination. Skin concerns: blackheads, pores.

I’m a long-time fan of The Ordinary, so when I saw this new mask in the Deciem store during a recent trip to Toronto, I snapped it up! I‘ve used their acid peel in the past and although I loved the results, it was very strong and stung my skin every time I used it. I was hoping this mask would be a gentler alternative, and thus far it’s lived up to my hopes. This mask claims to target lackluster tone and texture, including large pores and acne blemishes. The product is a creamy consistency, and a little goes a long way—a very thin layer is all you need. The mask dries to a matte finish within a few minutes, and when I wash it off it feels like there are some physical exfoliants—maybe the charcoal? Either way, it doesn’t sting my skin at all, and I think it’s really helped calm down my current breakout. This mask is more expensive than the acid peel, at $12 for 50ml, but it’s still very affordable. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a milder exfoliating mask that targets acne, large pores, and texture.The Ordinary - Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

The Ordinary - Salicylic Acid 2% Masque I’m usually a big fan of the ordinary products, since most of them are super affordable and effective. I’ve only been using this mask for about 3 weeks but I like it so far. The consistency is like a thick black cream, that’s really easy to apply with fingers or a brush. I used it all over my face the first time, and even though I only left it for about 8 minutes, it felt a bit drying on some areas. A couple of hours after using this, my blemishes really got to the surface and disappeared faster than usual. Now I only use it as a spot treatment or on areas that I have blemishes, because it can be drying. It works very well and is really effective for the low price. I recommend applying a thick layer or washing it off after a couple of minutes to not dry your skin out. I have sensitive skin and it doesn’t irritate my skin that way. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a effective affordable spot treatment or mask for blemishes! 4/5 stars because it can be a bit drying.

Anyone else always have those go-to masks in their skincare arsenal for when the breakouts hit? I have two that I can always rely on to stop spots in their tracks and help to keep them at bay if I’ve been indulging in junk food or it’s my time of the month! They’re both quite different so I use them in different ways. If I can feel big cystic spots lurking under my skin then I use the Yes To White Charcoal Mud Mask. The white clay helps to draw out impurities, but unlike regular clay, it’s not as drying so doesn’t leave your skin with that tight, stripped feeling. It’s a really enjoyable mask to use if you don’t normally wear clay masks and it’s great for all skin types, especially combination like mine. I also love the applicator! You squeeze the product out onto a sponge tip which you then use like a brush to apply it to your skin. No mess!If a spot has appeared before I’ve had time to get it then I use The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid Mask instead. This one is a little stronger and can be drying so I tend to only apply it where it needs to be rather than all over. Salicylic acid is amazing for treating blemishes and preventing new ones from appearing by keeping pores clear. It’s also so good for oily skin – I have an oily T-zone so sometimes I just apply it there and it helps to prevent the dreaded shine. This mask is quite hard to remove so I apply it with an old makeup brush to keep my fingers clean, and I always use a damp face cloth to remove it instead of scrubbing at my skin. It’s totally worth the effort though because the salicylic acid works fast to get rid of those spots!

I have been using this weekly and honesty my combo, acne-prone skin loves salicylic acid. It’s one of my go-to ingredients for acne busting. This mask isn’t overly drying, especially if you tend to have oily skin like me. It is really hard to get off though, which sucks. But the mask is like 10-12 bucks at Sephora or on Deciems website. High quality product for a low price! Their BHA Peeling mask is also a holy grail for me. Worth trying for the price.

If you suffer from acne and don’t know what could be causing it, the problem could be rooted right into your skin care routine! Comedogenic ingredients (pore clogging) like coconut oil and sodium chloride have the highest comedogenic ratings and you would be surprised at how many companies use them in their products!! Products that say that they are meant to get rid of acne! These companies want your money and they want you to think that it is YOUR skin that is the problem and not THEIR products, so that you will keep SPENDING MONEY ON THEIR PRODUCTS!!!! Google search, “Comedogenic ingredients” and stop using your products if they contain a comedogenic ingredient with a rating higher than 2. Shea butter and argan oil are 2 examples of noncomedogenic, non pore clogging oils that are amazing for acne prone skin! Added fragrance is also an ingredient that can aggravate skin. Synthetic fragrance is a biggie but also natural fragrance like essential oils in leave on products. Citrus oils like lemon or orange in rinse off products like a cleanser or cream mask is good for skin, though. It took a lot of time, money, research and trials and errors but I am happy that my skin is finally clear and that I can help others get to this point as well! My non comedogenic skin care regimen: All of my skin care is cruelty free brands. That’s all I will use when it comes to anything I buy. Cruelty free. 🐰💗 Cleanser: ANDALOU NATURALS - Cleansing Gel, Citrus Kombucha, Clear Skin Mask (2-3 times a week) : ANDALOU NATURALS - Glycolic Mask, Pumpkin Honey, Brightening Moisturizer: I have been using Saadia Organics argan oil. It is not cheap but is the best hydrating product I have ever used. An alternative is Paulas Choice clear skin moisturizer. Extras: Once a week: The Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Glossier Niacinamide and zinc serum. Alternate days: MUAC lac-Luronic serum Once a week (*Tip: Leave on for no longer than 15 minutes. DO NOT let the clay dry on your face before rinsing it off. If it starts to feel dry after 5 minutes, rinse! It all depends on how dry your skin is at the time of application. If your skin is dry, the faster the mask will dry on your skin.): AZTEC SECRET - Indian Healing Clay Alternate nights of the lactic Acid 10%: The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% withPAULA'S CHOICE - 10% Azelaic Acid Booster