10 Skincare Hacks That Finally Cleared My Acne (And Actually Work)
After years of battling breakouts, wasting money on harsh cleansers and hyped-up treatments, I finally discovered a few skincare hacks that actually worked for me. These aren't just Pinterest tips—I tried and tested them all, and they truly helped transform my skin.
Double Cleansing Every Night – This changed the game. I start with an oil-based cleanser to gently melt away sunscreen and makeup (even stubborn mascara), then follow up with a water-based cleanser to get my skin really clean. It feels like a mini spa moment before bed!
2. Switching to a Microfiber Towel – I swapped my rough towel for a soft microfiber one, and WOW. It’s so much gentler on my skin and really helped reduce redness and irritation. Plus, it feels fancy every time I use it.
3. Using Ice to Reduce Inflammation – I started doing a quick ice facial in the mornings, and it’s like coffee for my face. It helps de-puff, calm breakouts, and makes me feel super refreshed. I found the straight ice cubes were a bit much when I used them directly on my skin so I ended up switching to an ice roller and its is perfect!
4. Zinc Supplements – This one surprised me! I started taking zinc (with food, always), and within a few weeks, I noticed less oiliness and fewer cystic breakouts around my chin.
5. Spot Treating with Sulfur, Not Just Benzoyl Peroxide – Sulfur spot treatment smells... not cute. But it’s way gentler than benzoyl peroxide and worked just as well for calming angry spots overnight without drying out my skin. One the up side at least Sulfur is pink :)
6. Cutting Dairy (Just a Bit) – I didn’t go full dairy-free (ya girl loves cheese), but cutting back made a real difference. My hormonal breakouts weren’t as intense, especially during PMS.
7. Weekly Clay Masks – I make time for a little self-care Sunday with kaolin or bentonite clay masks. They help detox my pores and give me that squeaky-clean-but-not-stripped feeling.
8. Changing Pillowcases Every 2 Days + Changing to Silk – Sounds extra, I know—but I hate to admit it did seriously help. I keep a little stack of fresh pillowcases and rotate them every other night to avoid buildup from oils and bacteria. AND silk pillowcases were a game changer, they have anti bacterial properties and are much gentler on your skin when sleeping (side sleeper addict here)
9. Light Therapy (Blue & Red LED) – I bought a cute little LED mask on sale and used it 3–4 times a week. The blue light fights acne-causing bacteria, and the red light helps with healing. Bonus: I feel like a futuristic goddess while wearing it.
10. Keeping a Skincare Journal – I started tracking what I used, how my skin reacted, and where I was in my cycle. It made it sooo much easier to see patterns and avoid things that triggered breakouts.
Everyone’s skin is different, but these little habits helped me feel more in control and confident. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just start with one or two changes and go from there. You’ve got this, glow baby!
