Non-Toxic Skincare Routine for
Acne-Prone Skin
Budget: Mid-range
None of these products contain pore-clogging ingredients or endocrine disruptors, which can contribute to hormonal acne. (Learn more about the correlation between endocrine disruptors and hormonal acne here.) They are all non-toxic, meaning they are free from carcinogens, fragrances, and harmful synthetic chemicals, ensuring a safe and effective skincare routine for acne-prone skin.
☀️ AM Skincare Routine
Step 1: Cleanse
Cocokind AHA Jelly Cleanser $18
The Cocokind AHA Jelly Cleanser is formulated with 4% AHAs from hibiscus flower acids and fermented grape, which help dissolve buildup, unclog pores, and smooth skin texture. It also contains hyaluronic acid and betaine to hydrate and soothe the skin, making it an excellent choice for both morning and evening use. This cleanser gently exfoliates without stripping the skin, ensuring a clean and refreshed complexion.
Step 2: Tone
Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner $14
This toner is perfect for the morning routine. It contains niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Vitamin C, which target uneven skin tone, dullness, and visible pores. The addition of naturally-derived arbutin helps improve hyperpigmentation, while licorice root extract soothes inflammation. This toner promotes bright, even skin and is gentle enough for daily use.
Step 3: Serum
Hyper Skin Vitamin C Serum $36
Hyper Skin's Vitamin C Serum is designed specifically for those dealing with acne and hyperpigmentation. It contains powerful brightening botanicals like bearberry, licorice, and kojic acid, which help clear hyperpigmentation and prevent future breakouts. This serum is lightweight and gel-based, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The vitamin C is an essential daily antioxidant to fight free radicals and damage from sun.
Step 4: Moisturize
Anua Heartleaf Daily Lotion - $25
The Anua Heartleaf 70% Daily Lotion is lightweight and non-comedogenic, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. It features heartleaf extract, basil, and hyaluronic acid to soothe and hydrate the skin without feeling greasy. This moisturizer helps maintain a healthy skin barrier and keeps the skin dewy throughout the day, making it a perfect base under sunscreen and makeup.
Step 5: SPF
Clearstem YOUARESUNSHINE Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 - $42
My favorite sunscreen - Clearstem's YOUARESUNSHINE SPF is a high-defense mineral tinted sunscreen that doubles as a soothing primer. It is designed to protect all skin types, including those prone to acne, rosacea, and discoloration. Formulated with green tea, gotu kola, and horse chestnut, it calms the skin, stimulates collagen, and reduces the appearance of scars and dark spots. This lightweight SPF is perfect for daily use, providing protection without feeling heavy or greasy.
🌙 PM Skincare Routine
Step 1: Cleanse
Primally Pure Cleansing Oil - $20
Primally Pure's Cleansing Oil from their clarifying line is perfect for evening use. It effectively dissolves grime and buildup without stripping the skin's natural oils. This method of oil cleansing is particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin as it helps maintain the skin's moisture barrier while deeply cleansing the pores.
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Step 2: Double Cleanse
Honest Beauty Get Clarity Foaming Acne Cleanser - $18
For the evening double cleanse, this is an excellent choice. Unlike benzoyl peroxide, which can be drying and irritating for some, sulfur is a gentler acne-fighting ingredient. Sulfur has antimicrobial, sebum-reducing, and anti-inflammatory properties that help clear acne without overly stripping the skin. The Honest Beauty cleanser harnesses the power of 3% sulfur along with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin. It effectively removes dirt, oil, and impurities while being gentle enough for daily use, even on sensitive skin. By using a sulfur-based cleanser, you get the acne-clearing benefits without the potential side effects like excessive dryness, peeling, or irritation that can sometimes occur with benzoyl peroxide.
Step 3: Tone
True Botanicals Nutrient Toner - $48
The True Botanicals Clarifying Serum is designed to target blemishes and prevent future breakouts. It contains potent natural ingredients that help clear the skin without causing irritation. This serum is part of True Botanicals' Clear line, which is specifically formulated for acne-prone skin.
Step 4: Serum
Cocokind Postbiotic Ance Serum - $20
The Cocokind Postbiotic Acne Serum is a powerful yet gentle treatment for acne-prone skin. It contains 1.5% salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin and clears pores, reducing acne, blackheads, and clogged pores. The serum also includes postbiotics and beta glucan to hydrate and support the skin barrier, reducing inflammation and redness. This serum is microbiome-friendly, ensuring a clear, comfortable complexion without irritation or dryness, making it perfect for evening use to treat and prevent breakouts overnight.
Step 5: Moisturize
Clearstem Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer - $56
Clearstem was a brand founded for people who deal with acne and breakouts. Their Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer is a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that hydrates the skin while promoting cell regeneration. It is formulated with clean, effective ingredients that support skin health and prevent breakouts, making it an excellent choice for acne-prone skin.
Bonus
Honest Beauty Spot Stopper Acne Spot Treatment - $18
For targeted treatment of active breakouts, the Honest Beauty Spot Stopper Acne Spot Treatment is a great addition. It helps reduce the size and redness of pimples quickly, providing an effective solution for those occasional stubborn spots.
FTC Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of those product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. This helps support my brand and allows me to continue to make content. I only recommend products that I trust, to the best of my ability, to be non-toxic. This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always read product labels and use as directed. Manufacturers reserve the right at any time to change product ingredients. Thank you for your support!
Medical Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please contact your healthcare physician or a functional medicine practitioner for medical advice.