One of my biggest takeaways after dealing with acne for so long is don't waste your money on extremely fancy cleansers. Sure, it shouldn't feel like soap detergent and leave your skin dry and scaly to the touch, but there are a ton of products on the market that thoroughly and gently cleanse. I used to (wrongly!) think that because of my oily skin the only way to prevent breakouts was to overdry my face to reduce the amount of sebum. My poor face definitely paid the price, and to no surprise, my acne never got better. It wasn't until my 20s that I learned balance is key. The ideal pH for skin is slightly acidic, which equates to around 5. For this reason, I've stuck to low pH cleansers to protect my skin's natural microbiome, which also helps to balance out oil production. This Corsx face wash manages to clean my skin without overdrying.

For days when I need a little extra backup, I hit PanOxyl's Benzoyl Peroxide-laden foaming wash. Anyone familiar with the world of acne-fighting products will instantly recognize this antiseptic ingredient–it's certainly one of the buzzier ones out there. Many dermatologists consider Benzoyl Peroxide one of the most effective over-the-counter acne treatments because of its ability to unclog pores and inhibit the growth of bacteria. It certainly can help when in a pinch, but my advice: use it sparingly, as it can dry out the skin with frequent use. How should you start to incorporate such a powerful treatment if you're new to the game? "Many acne-fighting ingredients are also somewhat irritating, so starting too many ingredients at the same time or too strong of ingredients can cause irritation and resultant hyperpigmentation. Therefore, products should be integrated into the room slowly–usually, 1-2 products at a time, starting just three times a week and slowly building to daily as tolerated," explains Love.

Salicylic acid, or BHA, is a potent exfoliant Love recommends when treating both acne and consequent post-acne scars. "Since post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is often more bothersome than acne in darker skin tones, topicals that treat both acne and hyperpigmentation are particularly helpful–retinoids being the gold standard and glycolic acid and salicylic acid also playing a role," Love told me. When it comes to toners, you can't get much more potent than this one from Paula's Choice. Its magic lies in the gentle chemical exfoliation of BHA which helps to unclog blackheads and excess oil in addition to fading acne scars. After trying my share of chemical exfoliating toners, I realized that you don't need to overdo it. Too much can have almost the reverse effect, leading to rough patches. You'll want to find one that's relatively gentle, and apply it with moderation. I keep coming back to this one because of how quickly it helped to fade my scars, leaving my face glowy and clear.

Another great option is Acwell's low pH toner. Loaded with licorice water and green tea, this serves as a gentle brightening follow-up to my cleanser in the event of any missed dirt or makeup residue. It also serves as a reinforcement to protect the acidic environment of my face. 

I wish I could marry this toner. A cult favorite, this "beauty elixir" feels like the most refreshing, and bougiest drink of water for my face. Even with the best pro-hydration intentions, my skin can veer on the dry side after a cleanse. This spray is a refreshing, hydrating mist that leaves just the right balance. Without a doubt, it was a lifesaver during my Isotretinoin days when almost every crevice of my skin felt like a lizard. At almost $50 is it a splurge? Yes, but sometimes it's not a bad thing to treat yourself.

It's easy to overlook antioxidants when you're in a perpetual fight with acne. My brain was wired for years to grab anything with the highest amounts of Benzoyl Peroxide or BHA, wrongly thinking only those ingredients would deliver clear skin. But, please don't overlook a Vitamin C. Not only can it help reduce inflammation (a big factor when treating acne), it can also help fade acne scars and hyperpigmentation. While tending to active breakouts is one half of the journey to clearer skin, the other half lies in treating the resultant scars. While Skinceuticals' C E Ferulic and Drunk Elephant's C Firma Day Serum are worthy contenders, I've been into Tatcha's Violet-C Serum which boasts two forms of stabilized vitamin C.

You may recognize this wonder from the depths of Tik-Tok, but it's been one of my tried and true products for years. Niacinamide is another helpful tool when combatting inflammation and excess oil, also assisting to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Zinc is also a hot ingredient that some claim helps to reduce acne-causing bacteria. The jury is still out on that, but the way I see it more never hurts. It's gentle enough that I can layer this on without irritation.

Dermatologists constantly tell me that my oily skin is a good thing (for one, the excess moisture helps to wards off wrinkles), but I can't help but curse the pools of oil that accumulates on my face by the end of the day. The game of choosing an acne-fighting serum is complicated: it shouldn't be too overdrying or harsh, yet you want to feel something. Containing a natural form of salicylic acid, Caudalie's Vinopure serum feels lightweight on the skin but packs a big punch. After applying it in the morning, I notice a visible difference in the size of my active breakouts throughout the day. It's really one of the best serums around.

Formerly a prescription-only treatment, Differin's active ingredient is adapalene, a type of retinoid. Dr. Love regards retinoids as the best of the best among topicals used to treat acne and hyperpigmentation. But not so fast: adapalene is considered the least effective among retinoids to clear up acne (with Isotretinoin considered the best), and in my experience, Differin doesn't completely clear up more aggressive cystic acne. On the flip side, it does help keep my moderate-sized pimples in check. I don't use it every day to avoid irritation, so I try to keep my applications to a few times per week. Dr. Love recommends La Roche-Posay's Effaclar, a similar adapalene gel, so I'm itching to try that next. 

Sulfur has been a godsend for fighting those pimples that seemingly come out of nowhere. Since my teenage years, I've tried everything from sulfur soap (that was drying to the max) to sticky sulfur ointments (that was a nightmare to sleep in), with some mixed results. I'm happy to report that this sulfur spot treatment is the real deal. Just a little dab at night is enough to dry out unsightly whiteheads, laying the groundwork for the rest of my treatments to do their thing.

After slathering on my topicals, I like to address any persistent pimples with a good old patch. It might not work 100% of the time, but it's one of the better ways I've found to keep the environment around my pimples free from additional bacteria. Usually, however, it does reduce the size of my breakouts to a degree, which is a better result than most things I've tried! If you're skilled with applying these you can lay them flat enough that they're almost invisible against the skin and layer makeup over them if need be. Not the case for me, but I barely leave the house anyway.

Just about everyone has heard of this mask, I feel like I was one of the last people on earth to try it. With all the hype, I'll admit I was skeptical, but it's truly deserving of the hoopla. A popular hack is to mix it with apple cider vinegar, but even so, I've used it with water with equally effective results. It can serve as a spot treatment to dry out a pimple, or an all-over mask for a spa-like experience.

Acids are my happy place, and I feel no happier than when I'm masking with Drunk Elephant's Sukari Babyfacial. A 25% blend of AHA or glycolic acid (another of the three ingredients Dr. Love suggests for post-acne hyperpigmentation), and 2% salicylic acid, it's touted as a pro-level mask you can do at home. Essentially all of those acids exfoliate the skin, prompting quicker cell turnover and unclogging pores. After months of use, my skin has thanked me in the form of diminished acne scars and a brighter complexion. Applying this feels like self-care in a plastic bottle. 

Who doesn't like the feeling of fresh, clean pores? Well, here's that feeling in a tube. This has been one of my go-to face masks when my skin feels dull or just feeling blah. Another clay-based mask, it helps to decongest the skin, drawing out dirt and pore-clogging oil. Pro-tip: steam your face before application (I like this one) it will feel like heaven.