I think a lot of the fancy brand-name “acne treatments” actually include ingredients that cause more acne, to keep people buying it. Cause it seems like the people who put the most effort into acne treatment always have the worst acne.

That being said though, a well-structured skincare routine can make a huge difference. It doesn’t need a bunch of expensive formulas that come in tiny containers for $20+, but a good toner and a good moisturizer that both work for your skin type can work wonders.

Avoid anything with parabens (wax) and other nasties like that. Find something “low”/“no” grease and quick absorbing. Experiment with botanicals like oats&honey, but avoid anything that’s more hype than actual substance. For a toner, simple witch hazel with willow bark is really good.

If you have really dry skin, try a layer of lightweight body oil after the moisturizer (something like jojoba or almond oil), this can help seal in the moisture so the atmosphere doesn’t steal it in less than an hour.

Lastly, don’t smoke and avoid too much sun. Light to moderate exercise can improve circulation, and in general managing stress can help avoid patterns of wear (frowning a lot causes ugly wrinkles, but smile wrinkles are one of the most beautiful things. Study bitter versus happy old people and you’ll see what I mean).