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Barrier Rehab; my acne prone skin approved 🏆

Until recently Ive had nothing but frustration to show from spending the last few months trying to bring my skin back to where it was prior to severe hormonal acne breakouts. Ive always been fairly consistent as far as not adding and removing products too quickly; so I knew that wasn't to blame. But all the go-to actives were not giving me long term relief; it would get a bit better then flare up or go back to how it was... The only consistent was how up and down it would be. I still have a ways to go but seeing as I know all too well how exhausting, emotionally draining and trying this was on me, I figured I should share the choices that have helped the most for me as of now.

ReneeEgan user profile picture

ReneeEgan

Oily/Resilient

dot84 Views

1

Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser

A super affordable cleanser that is recommended for textured skin and to brighten. Cleanses without over stripping my skin. Not sure if its enough to take makeup and spf off on its own but I don't care to try, I like the benefits I get from using oil cleanser as my first step.

Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser product review
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veagee


Dry/Resilient

I really like that it is gentle on my skin while giving a nice cleanse. It is not stripping given that I have dry skin. It has a little bit of particles, looks like a shredded herb or leaves but it doesn't feel like a scrub or anything like that. It lathers a little. However, when I was using the foam maker, it gives a pretty foam and still not stripping. With cleansers, I am not seeking anything more than taking off the dirt or make up on my face so I cannot speak to the brightening claims as I didn't check on that aspect, and I am not sure how the brightening properties could work on wash off products. The packaging is basic and is just suitable for this product. Nothing exceptional.

Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser

The Inkey List
Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser

star rating

4.1

(62)

favorite

165

2

Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray

An exact ingredient twin of Tower 28 SOS daily facial spray at half the price and with twice the amount of product! This has possibly been the biggest factor thats helped calm and clear the breakouts for me. I use a few sprays on damp skin after every time I cleanse my face and follow with the rest of my routine.

Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray product review
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ReneeEgan


Oily/Resilient

An amazing alternative for the Tower 28 SOS spray (I hate to use the word "dupe" here as it implies a lower quality- which it is not at all - but its an amazing dupe). I was a bit concerned that id end up wasting alot of product with it being in a spray bottle but that doesn’t seem to be a factor, a little goes a long and because its in a spray bottle Ive never seen the need to use a cotton; any loss from the spray is made up for by not needing to soak a cotton. This has really made a great impact on relieving the severity and duration of my breakouts! I use it everytime after I cleanse my face (day and night) then follow with Paula's choice mandelic acid solution.

Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray

e11ement
Hypochlorous Acid Face & Skin Spray

star rating

5.0

(2)

favorite

6

3

6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Supposedly a gentler option to the super popular Paula's Choice 2% BHA Solution but my reason for choosing this is for the benefits mandelic and lactic can have. I also wasn't having the results I wanted and hoped for by using the common choices with salicylic which I do have other products I could use in my routines with salicylic. Mandelic acid is antibacterial in addition to bring a more gentle exfoliant. Recommended for uneven texture, dullness, Hyperpigmentation, acne, and fine lines & wrinkles.

6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant product review
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ReneeEgan


Oily/Resilient

Supposedly a gentler option to the super popular Paula's Choice 2% BHA Solution but my reason for choosing this is for the benefits mandelic and lactic can have. I also wasn't having the results I wanted and hoped for by using the common choices with salicylic which I do have other products I could use in my routines with salicylic. Mandelic acid is antibacterial in addition to bring a more gentle exfoliant. Recommended for uneven texture, dullness, Hyperpigmentation, acne, and fine lines & wrinkles. Still a newer addition to my routine but seeing better progress than other exfoliants already. Benefits: Improves sun damage, dullness & fine lines Reverses a compromised skin barrier Renews skin below the surface for healthier cell turnover & radiance Gentle & effective for all skin types Not sure whether this one should get 4 it 5 stars but we will start at 4. its still a relatively new addition so ill give it more time before i award it 5 stars.

6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Paula's Choice
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

star rating

4.7

(17)

favorite

26

4

Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask

Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask product review
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Butterbeans666


Oily/Resilient

This Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask from Herbivore Botanicals is a calming gel face mask containing blue tansy, white willow bark extract (natural BHA), and fruit enzymes (natural AHA) that clarifies skin, helps control shine, and refines pores. I really enjoyed using this face mask! It felt nice and cooling on the skin, and after 20 minutes of leaving it on, I washed it off and my skin felt very refreshed and clean!! The color of this mask is more green than the blue I had expected from the product pictures, and the scent of this mask is a little strong, though not unpleasant! I'm very excited to hopefully see a reduction of blackheads and pores with continued use! Overall, I think this is a really nice face mask that I'd definitely recommend trying out, especially for those with combination/oily, blemish-prone skin! :)

Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask

Herbivore Botanicals
Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask

star rating

3.9

(39)

favorite

58

5

Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum

Now most of us are well aware of the loyal following behind the DDG daily peel pads but this is an underhyped Dr Dennis Gross holy grail. Got a sample from Sephora and it was so quick to improve my skin, which now im kind of kicking myself because is definitely on the expensive side. Said to be safe for daily pm use along side the DDG peel pads and a great option for texture because of congestion and fine lines.

Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum product review
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purplerain9


Oily/Resilient

My skin feels very smooth after apply

Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum

star rating

4.9

(7)

favorite

15

6

Soothing & Support Barrier Serum

I had wanted to give this a try for awhile but only recently bought it and so far im really glad I did. I was skeptical of how well it would sit under makeup but it is great! Absorbs surprisingly well but if you use too much and have fair skin it may leave a slight pink flush! A bit pricier than most of the ordinary's other products but ill absolutely repurchase when I run out.

Soothing & Support Barrier Serum product review
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fronsry


Oily/Sensitive

have noticed that my skin is less red and irritated since I started using this serum and and I am really impressed with the results. I have sensitive skin, but this serum has helped to calm my skin and I have not experienced any negative side effects from using this serum. The serum is a lightweight, milky liquid that absorbs quickly into the skin. It has a slightly sweet scent, but it is not overpowering. I apply the serum twice a day, after cleansing and before moisturizing. I would highly recommend this serum to anyone looking for a soothing and barrier-supporting product. *Received this product free from The Ordinary in exchange for my honest review*

Soothing & Support Barrier Serum

The Ordinary
Soothing & Support Barrier Serum

star rating

4.5

(43)

favorite

41

7

Slushy Serum Moisturizer Crush

Slushy Serum Moisturizer Crush product review
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GauriChauhan


Oily/Sensitive

This amazing product helped me to have hydrated look the entire day.

Slushy Serum Moisturizer Crush

INNBeauty Project
Slushy Serum Moisturizer Crush

star rating

4.7

(11)

favorite

19

8

Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

A light and non-congesting, yet still richly hydrating option thats not quiet a balm; but has such long lasting hydration I dont know a better word for it. It absorbs amazingly, I did not expect it too the way it does especially after how it feels to the touch initially. I take a small amount into the palm of my hand and quickly rub out under my fingers to warm before working it into my skin. A natural finish that is neither matter or dewy which makes it so universal. Is also said to be great for any skin type... I dont know if it would be enough for those with dry dry skin without using multiple Layers but I could be wrong, i have combination to oily skin.

Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer product review
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Sugoisarahpicky


Dry/Sensitive

This moisturizer has been a godsend for my dry, sensitive skin. It is packed with amazing ingredients like Mango Seed Butter, Niacinamide, Eight Amino Acids, Three Ceramides, Eight Peptides, and more to strengthenand fortify the skin barrier. The texture is thick and nourishing, while still spreading easily across the skin. A little goes a long way, genuinely a pea size amount is all I need for my face and neck. It doesn't 100% fully absorb into my skin, but I love the finish it leaves as it makes my skin feel so protected and comforted. The product claims to have a Balm to Gel texture and I mostly agree with that; the texture definitely transforms from a balm into a spreadable gel, it just isn't as lightweight as a gel moisturizer. This product also as a fresh, lemony citrus scent that I like. While this is a tad expensive, since a little goes such a long way and it has so many great ingredients I do feel the price is justified. To stress how little product you need to use; I have been using this for over a month, both day and night for my dry skin during the winter, and am not even half way through the jar which is just wild for me. Additionally while I can use it both day and night, I could potentially see combo/oily skin finding it too heavy for the day time under spf. This product makes my skin feel incredible, has a lovely texture, and helps reinforce my skin barriers health and I highly recommend it!

Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

Ole Henriksen
Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

star rating

4.8

(24)

favorite

45

9

Evercalm Redness Relief Serum

Evercalm Redness Relief Serum product review
Evercalm Redness Relief Serum product review
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Ravnya


Dry/Sensitive

I have been using this for a little while now and my skin feels so nice and smooth after, even my rosacea is not as red after using it morning and evening. My skin feels calm and hydrated all day.

Evercalm Redness Relief Serum

REN Clean Skincare
Evercalm Redness Relief Serum

star rating

4.5

(2)

favorite

4

10

Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask

Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask product review
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ReneeEgan


Oily/Resilient

This product is so nourishing and comforting; such a truly fitting name for it. I picked up ren Evercalm ultra comforting rescue mask from Amazon on the October prime day for $10 (reg $50 USD) but ill be repurchasing this without a doubt even at regular full price. I typically use this in the evening if I need anything soothing (whether due to over zealous exfoliation or picking pimples, or anything in between) but its a great choice for anything. I have even used this in the morning prior to applying makeup and it created an amazing base, but you definitely want to adjust the way you apply it depending on what your using it for. For hydration and soothing I use this after cleansing my face while my face is still damp for better absorbancy. Id start with between a half pump and one pump as it seems very condensed in the bottle and a little goes a long way. I apply it fairly generously in the evening and probably use it once a week as a little pampering for my skin in addition to as needed throughout the week. When you apply it it goes on coloured and opaque. As it absorbs it goes clear then completely disappears as it gets pulled deep into the Layers of skin (and quite quickly). I give it a minimum of 30 minutes in the evening then ill either rub in the excess or slightly dampen my skin with a mist and continue with any other steps I may need. It can also be left on over night as applied but I always make sure I haven't applied it to occlusively as im very acne prone but it has never aggravated any breakouts! For morning use I apply it after cleansing and on damp skin but I use it much more sparingly in the morning and give it 10+ minutes (this can varry depending on how on schedule I am). When I need to proceed with the rest of my routine I briefly massage in whats remaining and if there is some that hasnt absorbed completely after maybe 1-2 min, i very gently remove the excess with a slightly damp cotton face pad before any next steps. Typically from here I go into spf then primer. I cannot recommend this enough! I know most of my reviews are products I highly recommended but thats because my reviews usually can fit into two categories: the "Holy grails" or the "fails". A fail needs to be an epic fail for me to spend time reviewing it as well lol It is great for hydration, soothing and nourishing your skin barrier, and calming redness. Its buttery smooth and has a noticeably calming feeling. A slight slight herby/flowery smell. Video taken at 11:44pm and photo of where I applied it taken at 11:56pm to show is amazing absorbancy Hopefully I remember to post photos in 30 min of the redness relief on my face, provided u heaven fallen asleep lol

Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask

Ren
Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask

star rating

4.2

(5)

favorite

5

upvote

7

comment

6

6 Comments

Beri1872 user profile picture
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Beri1872

Dry/Resilient

Wow 😍 This is one amazing list!! So many products here that I want to try!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
upvote

2

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0

C

chikin2013

Dry/Sensitive

Is it dry skin apporved?
upvote

3

comment

0

ReneeEgan user profile picture

ReneeEgan

Oily/Resilient

Most of these absolutely are dry skin friendly! The ren Evercalm Mask is AMAZING!!! Its by far my favourite hydrating mask, probably even my favourite hydrating product! There really is no bad time to use the ren Evercalm. The e11ement hyphoclorous would be great as well, its really helped to plump and keep the hydration in my extra dry areas far longer than before I started using it, is sorry affordable too. The ole henriksen strength trainer it amazing for me any time; day or night. Finding a great hydrating moisturizer that Layers well under makeup was tough but this is everything I was looking for and more. The Paula's Choice mandelic acid is a peel/exfoliant so id recommend spot testing (behind/on the back of my ear is where I always spot test). This is on the "gentle" end as far as exfoliating products go but its ahah an Antioxidant so i use it am "to conbat free radicals" thats not why I got it but figured two birds one stone. Blue tansy Ive never had any sensitivities from but this is another one id patch test especially if your on the dryer side. There is a Blue Tansy oil from Acure though that may still have the benefits of blue tansy but with added hydration, id give that one a try first and if you love it maybe consider giving the Herbivore a try. The acure oil is much more affordable. The ordinary barrier serum is another amazing choice for anything but hydration is one of, if not the biggest benefits. Slushy is great, another great option for day or night but i especially love it for layering with makeup.
upvote

1

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JenShaf1 user profile picture
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JenShaf1

Dry/Resilient

Love Herbivore products! I also adore the ingredient Blue Tansy. I use the Earth Harbor “Marina Harbor” which contains Blue Tansy, Green Tea and Jojoba Oil on days I don’t use an active. It really helps with hyperpigmentation. Thanks for sharing this list!
upvote

2

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0

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Bitesizedbagel

Oily/Resilient

Thanks for sharibg
upvote

1

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0