My skin has changed since then due to living in different environments and of course, age. It’s behaving better but still falls under the oily and blemished category. Having to keep them under control is still a priority. I’m still testing out anti-ageing products that are suited for my skin type. Troublesome ey? I will do a top 5 recommended products dedicated to this when the time comes, but for now, welcome to the 2021 edition of my top skincare choices for oily, spot-prone skin.
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Salicylic acid is your best friend and your spots’ worst nightmare. This COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser is an absolute angel in a bottle when it comes to fighting and preventing breakouts. It helped with my forehead and hormonal breakouts as well as those pesky bumps that are yet to rise and say hello. Salicylic acid can potentially strip and dry out the skin but this doesn’t. When it says gentle, it means gentle. It leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean afterwards without any sort of irritation. Do I need to do a full review on this? Let me know.
Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
The combination of AHA, BHA, PHA, tea tree and niacinamide may sound like a scary combination at first but it’s a great way to add those ingredients to your routine without having to apply them individually. It’s a lightweight, mild exfoliator toner that promotes healthy skin and is great for spot and acne-prone skin. Within a month, my skin has cleared up, brightened and the flakey skin around my nose has disappeared. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my skin looking this good ever. I now only use it whenever I break out. Holy moly, your serums and moisturiser will penetrate into your skin deeper, leaving your skin more moisturised. Some By Mi 30 Days Miracle Toner gets a big thumbs up!
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo(+)
This is my all-time holy grail. I am yet to find a moisturise that is best suited for oily, blemished skin. Despite preferring the original as opposed to this reformulated, Duo(+) version, I still can’t get enough of it. My thoughts on this have changed a little compared to my review back in 2014 in a positive way. As I’ve tested many brands and products throughout the years, I have found certain products that helped complement this, allowing it to work better. I don’t dare to try a different moisturiser. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Witch Naturally Clear Blemish Stick
An underrated product is how I would describe this. I always overlook this brand because it was more on the cheaper end of the scale. In my mind, cheap equates to bad but this had changed my outlook to a certain extent. Witch Naturally Clear Blemish Stick had performed better than my tea tree oil from The Body Shop and other spot treatments. That is something. There is a slight stinging sensation for a couple of seconds but it does manage to calm the angry, red spots and help it heal quicker. It’s been a firm favourite since lockdown.
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
I’m not sure how many times I can preach this before it gets too much and you get sick of hearing about it but everyone must try COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch. Actually, everyone needs to have backups of this. Seeing the pus being sucked out is so satisfying. You know when you’ve got a big, juicy one. TMI? The size of the spot is visibly reduced without damaging the skin. I’m a spot picker and squeezer and this prevents me from squeezing. If only these existed back in my teenage years. You can read my full review here.
Shop the Post
Pin for Later
Blog photography: Corey Wong
Do you also get blackheads? Was wondering if the COSRX cleanser helps with that too! I’d love to see a full review on it.
I’ll add it to my list! 🙂 in terms of blackheads, I have noticed a small difference, nothing too drastic – reducing the look of them on my nose and also prevented new blackheads from forming.
Awesome! Anything to prevent blackheads forming is excellent to me! 😀