The six best anti-acne products that I use to manage breakouts on my dry skin
Since puberty has come and gone, I have heaved a sigh of relief that my skin is no longer as erratic as it was during those tumultuous years. Most of the pimples I experience as an adult can be chalked up to bouts of pre-period hormones, purging, or product incompatibility. And because age comes with wisdom, I’ve already assembled a Dream Team of products that help manage those tricky times a little better.
For example, when I start to feel like my skin seems generally “gunky”, my maintenance product of choice is The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution (P1,095 for 50ml). It’s packaged to look like a serum, but it actually feels more like an astringent as denatured alcohol is the second ingredient listed. I’m all about the hydrating toners, but I’ll occasionally reach for this and smooth a few drops over my T-zone or all over my face to have that cool, clarified feeling. Then I take care to moisturize well to balance out the drying effect of the alcohol.
Cystic acne is annoying AF because it hurts and takes forever to go through its cycle. I find that The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil (P495 for 10ml) is an effective spot treatment to keep the area disinfected while waiting it out. Plus, I have noticed that this crowd-favorite oil seems to hasten the ripening of cystic pimples. Bonus: It also helps manage heat rashes (a.k.a. bungang araw), because of tea tree oil’s antiseptic properties.
But for the more superficial ripe zits that are smaller in size, the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (P1,280 for 29ml from Rustan’s) does the trick. This spot treatment has a satisfyingly cool, astringent feeling you’d get out of a clarifying toner. It also has calamine to help soothe inflamed skin.
Ever since learning about the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (P200 from The Skincare Curator) back in 2017, I’ve always kept a pack in my skincare SOS stash. I like how low-key this pimple bandage looks. No concealer? No problem! The COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch (P200 from The Skincare Curator) is thinner along the edges for a more seamless effect. But apart from the cloudy patch’s blurring visual effect, I like how it helps lessen scabbing. The area where the popped pimple was heals better and looks smoother right away.
Because pimples put the skin through the ringer, a soothing skincare product is a must to promote gentle healing. In that regard, The Face Shop Calendula Essential Moisture Serum (P895 for 40ml) offers both hydration and inflammation reduction in one go. Its light consistency and quick absorbency makes for a comfortable application. Plus, there’s no greasy or sticky feel once it dries.
Do you have a go-to pimple treatment that’s kind to dry skin? Tell me all about it in the comments section!
