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20 Weird But Brilliant Skin Care Products That Reddit Users Swear By For Acne
If you have acne-prone skin, you shouldn't be willy-nilly with your product choices. Whenever I switch up my daily skin care regimen, my face starts to react pretty quickly, so I'm careful about the ingredients I use. Before buying a new product I look to skin care tips on Reddit, because unlike acne commercials or Instagram recommendations, these are real people with real blemishes — and without sponsorship deals.
Actually, I go to Reddit for just about everything, from my daily corgi gif fix to general feedback on news stories. That's because, for the most part, Reddit can be a really supportive community filled with people who just want to share their opinions and experiences. The acne and skin care subReddits are no different, and people on who frequent the page have tried some relatively weird items that turned out to be brilliant solutions for breakouts.
Users share everything from their holy grail products to routines that have worked wonders for them in the past. They also tend to do so in a way that's informative, non-judgmental, and all around helpful. Consequently, if you're suffering from any kind of acne and want to see how snail mucin fared for other people, check out these weird but brilliant recommendations from real Reddit users.
2. This Intriguing Nighttime Serum With Pumpkin Enzymes
KYPRIS Moonlight Catalyst, $77, Amazon
"This one is the best of the lot IMO!" says dessai89 about KYPRIS Moonlight Catalyst. "It's a gel consistency and you put it on at night. It has pumpkin enzymes so it exfoliates skin using a natural form of vitamin A. It's just brilliant for giving a glow to skin and helping it have more clarity. I can't explain it, but it works." It's also promises that it's 100 percent natural and vegan.
3. This Bizarre Mask With Real Egg Whites To Help Oily Skin
Skinfood Egg White Pore Mask, $9, Amazon
For oily acne-prone skin, neosimmel suggests an "Egg white face mask... Very drying but very effective." The Skinfood egg white pore mask uses egg white extracts that penetrate deep into pores to balance skin and remove oily build-up. "My face is oily and is prone to blackheads/whiteheads. After just one use, the mask cleared out most of my pores and left my face clean and smooth," says one reviewer.
4. This Green Tea Mask That's Awesome For Serious Acne
Once Upon A Tea Matcha Mud Mask, $22, Amazon
"I recently have come across and been addicted to Matcha," says Reddit user mya_25. "Matcha is a green tea and it is very popular in Japan. It has cleared my cystic acne, guys!"Once Upon A Tea Matcha mud mask pulls out toxins, encourages collagen growth, and repairs skin with nutrients, all while leaving your face hydrated and soft.
5. This Odd Ampoule That Fights Acne With Honey Extracts
SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule, $16, Amazon
Made with antibacterial honey, SCINIC Honey all in one ampoule is a favorite for psithyrstes. "Not the most cosmetically elegant, but I've been using it for over a year and it provides great hydration/antioxidants/glow at an unbelievable price; I only need two bottles a year! plus honey/niacinamide helps with acne."
6. This Moisturizer With Shea Butter And Snail Secretions
Mizon Black Snail All-in-One Cream, $19, Amazon
Another recommendation from psithyrstes is this Mizon Black Snail all-in-one cream. The secret ingredients? Shea butter and snail secretion. "While this isn't ideal moisture for winter, it is perfect in summer: dries matte, has linoleic acid, has anti-inflammatory snail, has a bevy of antioxidants, and makes my skin very smooth and well-textured."
7. This Miracle Bar That Uses Activated Bamboo Charcoal
Joanna Vargas Activated Charcoal Miracle Bar, $22, Amazon
"A few weeks ago I read a random blog about a girl who had recently discovered activated charcoal soap as her saving grace to her skin," says AntiGravityCat. "This has worked wonders for me and started to work after about a week of washing with it 3-4 times per week. I am now pretty much acne free, with the exception of maybe 1 or 2 small spots a week." Joanna Vargas activated charcoal Miracle Bar has insane reviews because it promises to balance oil, remove impurities, moisturize dry skin, and heal acne.
8. This Weird But Surprisingly Effective Mix Of Clay And Sulfur
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque, $7, Amazon
According to kezzie87, another great mask is the "Queen Helene Mint Julep mask... leave it on overnight and it works WONDERS!" The user also claims that it started working on stubborn blackheads after only a 30 minutes. It's made with two types of clay and sulfur, which aim to pull out impurities and fight acne from the inside out.
9. This Weird Little Sulfur Mask Is Actually A Gem
De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment, $17, Amazon
Reddit user angelcrunch calls De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment a "holy grail" product. "It's a weird little product but a gem that I found out about... I've heard great things about this product and after using it for about a week I'm finally noticing that it's working. I put it all over my face after cleansing and leave it on for 20 minutes like a mask." This one also comes in a pack of three, so you can even use it as full-body acne treatment.
10. This Baby Wash That Helps To Heal Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Baby Wash and Shampoo, $9, Amazon
Though it's marketed towards toddlers, tons of Reddit users love the way their skin reacts to CeraVe baby wash and shampoo. "Since using the Cerave Baby for a few weeks... my skin is currently on its way towards healing, slowly but surely," says kellykellykellyyy who uses it for perioral dermatitis. "More importantly, the rest of my face hasn't gotten worse, even though I haven't been able to use any moisturizers since I self-diagnosed."
11. These Strange Masks Made From Mung Beans
The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Mung Bean, $14, Amazon
"The Face Shop Real Nature mung bean sheet mask is my favorite for treating breakouts," says waveitdowninside. It comes with 15 individually wrapped sheets and uses olive and mung bean extracts to nourish, hydrate, and exfoliate skin. "Acne is smaller and less inflamed the next day."
12. This "Dry" Oil To Moisturize Without Perpetuating Acne
Natures Leaf Organic Rosehip Oil, $13, Amazon
"Rosehip seed oil has been a HG for me as a day moisturizer," says madeenz. "As a dry oil it absorbs ridiculously fast and provides a natural, non-chemical laden way for me to even out my skin which has had freckles and uneven tone. I hear it works great for hyperpigmentation as well." This one from Natures Leaf is cold-pressed, unrefined, and non-GMO.
13. This Cleanser With Willow Bark For Effective Yet Soothing Results
BodiVéa Pore Perfect Daily Cleanser, $27, Amazon
"I use a product with willow bark and I really love it," says sharkto. "It is helpful when I've irritated my skin from too much exfoliation!" BodiVéa Pore Perfect daily cleanser has willow bark as well as other incredible acne-fighting ingredients (like witch hazel and tea tree oil). It also skips the sulfates to help sensitive skin, and reviewers love the refreshing scent and their soft, smooth complexion.
14. Reddit Users Swear By Apple Cider Vinegar
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Face Wash, $33, Amazon
aokna2736 is a huge advocate of apple cider vinegar as a facial toner for acne. "Seriously, EVERYONE should try it... I've been using it for less than a week, and I'm almost clear." The Rain apple cider vinegar face wash is made with ACV (loaded with enzymes to help balance and clear up skin), as well as other natural ingredients to cleanse, soothe, and hydrate.
15. Coconut Oil Fights Bacteria And Balances Oil Production
Vita Coco Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, $9, Amazon
"For me, I cleanse my face daily with coconut oil," says ZeroSenseOfHumour. "Rub some on and leave to soak in for about an hour (you can do more, or less) and then wash off with warm water. I recommenced Vita Coco." Not only is it cold pressed and unrefined, but it's antibacterial and USDA-certified organic to reserve all of its nourishing and hydrating qualities.
16. This Genius Mix Of Benzoyl Peroxide And Tea Tree
Create Cosmetics Benzoyl Peroxide And Tea Tree Treatment, $20, Amazon
"Tea tree oil is an antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial treatment," says jenniferocious, who uses it as a spot treatment. "It feels cool and tingly, which I actually think feels nice." This Create Cosmetics tea tree treatment also contains Benzoyl Peroxide to help with inflammation, bacteria, and adult acne.
17. Moisturize Oily Skin With Vitamins A and E
Red Raspberry Seed Oil, $10, Amazon
Most people shy away from oils when they have acne-prone skin, but overly dry pores will actually produce excess sebum to compensate. "I've been using vitamin E and A oil as a moisturizer and its been working great," says Supyohii. "My face is never dry or greasy." This red raspberry seed oil is loaded with Vitamins A and E. It also promises to improve elasticity, help to regenerate cell growth, and immediately absorbs into skin for matte-looking hydration.
18. Witch Hazel To Cleanse And Condition
Quinns Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner, $15, Amazon
"I feel like my single most important part of my routine is using an astringent after I get out of the shower," says richc3. "I use Witch Hazel formulated for it, but I think you can use most other kinds of astringent as well." Quinns witch hazel toner promises to cleanse, even, and condition, but because it's alcohol free, it does so without disrupting skin's natural moisture. It's also formulated with aloe and rose petal water to help soothe sensitive skin.
19. This Essential Oil That's Especially Great For Skin Care
WellnessScent Frankincense Essential Oil, $16, Amazon
"Frankincense essential oil has really been helping me with acne and scarring, hyperpigmentation, etc.," says love475, "but I only use it in emergency situations, as its quite strong." This one by WellnessScent claims to be 100 percent pure and is USDA organic, and it can be mixed into your favorite cleansers or moisturizers to help clear up skin the natural way.
20. This Glow Toner With A Surprisingly High pH
Pixi Glow Tonic, $44, Amazon
"Pixi Glow Tonic!" says AnthonyJCrawly. "People have said the PH is too high for it to be effective, but by some miracle it gives me glowing skin. The only time I get pimples now is if I miss a day." It rejuvenates and soothes with aloe vera and ginseng, and reviewers say that it leaves your face feeling refreshed instead of dry.
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