I’m 32 years old and I don’t have a single wrinkle. BUT, I still get acne breakouts and I still feel like I’m forever fighting them off. Here are some products that have been helping me win the war. I’ve been getting a lot of compliments on my skin lately, so I wanted to share what’s working for cruelty free acne fighters.
My Prizefighter is not what you’d consider a typical beauty product. It’s an inexpensive supplement you can buy at your local drugstore – zinc! Zinc has really helped clear up my acne (but check with your doctor before taking any supplement). It helps control the oil output from your pores and it helps your immune system. Just be careful not to over-do it. If you take too much zinc, your body can become deficient in copper, which can actually damage your immune system (among other things). You can supplement with a small amount of copper (taken at a different time of day) or do what I do – take zinc 2-3 weeks out of each month (usually right before and during your period is a good time if you get hormonal acne).
I also get acne on my back (bacne – gross), and I really like vegetarian-friendly ZenMed Botanical Acne Body Wash which is clay-based and has a little scrubby grit to it, and the Murad Clarifying Cleanser, which uses salicylic acid (2%), silver citrate and citrus oils to kill bacteria. I use them on my face every now and then, but on my back every day (since the skin is thicker and can handle more exfoliation).
The veg-friendly ZenMed Acne Mask is great for the occasional all-over face (or back) treatment. You can also use it as a spot treatment overnight. It is made with clay to draw out impurities, and it also has a ton of acne-fighting and skin-soothing ingredients such as: 2% salicylic acid, witch hazel, chamomile, sage, rosemary, thyme, (insert Simon & Garfunkel joke here) oil of oregano (to kill bacteria), and more.
Super by Perricone Acne Solution is a treatment that uses apple-derived quercetin and salicylic acid to fight bacteria and brighten skin/fade old acne scars. It’s non-drying and you can use it all over or as a spot treatment.
Other spot treatments to try are: Murad Acne Spot Treatment (3% sulfur and glycolic acid do the heavy lifting), Become Skincare Spot Treatment (benzoyl peroxide, kaolin clay and pcynogenol are a great team) and Sircuit Skin Fixzit (azelaic acid, retinol, salicylic acid, lactic acid and several antioxidants help heal, prevent acne and fade old marks).
Be sure to use a sunscreen when you use these types of ingredients or your acne spots can get darker.
Thanks for these great products reviews! I will definitely try the Zinc! I have combination skin, but where my skin is oily I get break outs and haven’t found something that consistently works.
I’ll also be trying Super by Perricone and some of the other spotting treatments. I’m beginning to get a little scarring after breakouts which never happened before, so I need something to help with that.
Thank you so much for this!!!
All of those are cruelty free? Awesome!
Thanks for recommendations. Obviously, there are about 10 trillion different products. Always good to hear of something that’s working for someone else.
Hey, I have been told that some people are allergic to benzoyl peroxide, which is the main ingredient of Acnezine and other treatments. Can you confirm this?
Wow, I didn’t even know that acne products were classified as cruelty free. Great information. I hadn’t heard of supplementing with zinc for acne control but I’m always up for a new supplement (can you be addicted to supplements?). Thanks much.
I have always believed that the best way to get rid of acne and any other skin problem is eating right and living healthy
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables that supply the body with relevant nutrients is key to an acne free skin.
Always good sleep also impacts on your skin.
I wish all acne sufferers will read this article and make adjustments where needed.
I will try this product.
Thanks for the information.
Does anyone know of any CF oil absorbing acne wipes?? Before I used clean&clear but now I refuse to touch any and all P&G products.
Hi Brynn – I believe Nuance has one! Available at CVS stores.
This post is a few years old. Any recent recommendations?? I recently moved to a different state and my acne has become a lot worse! Not sure if it’s due to the move or not. Would love your most recent acne remedies (cruelty free of course!)
Hi Jen – I still think they are great picks actually! I recommend experimenting to see whether salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide works best for you. I love Jan Marini 10% Benzoyl Peroxide for my cystic acne. Salicylic seems to work best on small bumps, and benzoyl seems to work better on cycstic acne for me (I was told it penetrates deeper, which would make sense). I also love anything with glycolic and/or lactic acid to keep acne at bay and to lighten old scars.