I’m soooo fed up with buying new cleansers and moisturisers to try and find the best one that will help my skin heal and won’t make me breakout. I now have an entire fridge full of products that I either just sometimes use or never use at all. I cringe thinking about the total added up cost of all of those products, especially considering most ‘good quality’ natural products are really $$$$.
To save you the hassle, I’ve listed a few products that are safe to use on acne prone or acne inflammed skin. Just keep in mind that there is no one product that will work for everyone. You can have a sensitivity or an intolerance to even the most natural and organic product on the market. So if you find that you get a breakout within five days of using a new product, it’s time for you to try a different one.
It’s also a good idea to start with only one new product at a time. So start with a new cleanser first and keep your old moisturiser. If it’s all looking good after a week or two, then you can introduce the next product. If you change too much at once you can freak your skin out, and you won’t know which one of the new products is causing the breakouts.
1. Miessence
I love the miessence clenser. It is the most gentle product that I’ve ever used on my skin. Miessence is great because it’s 100% organic and very gentle on inflammed skin. This product does not break me out or dry my skin like some harsh cleansers can. It’s a little expensive but a bottle of cleanser lasts AGES because you only use a very small amount (the small amount took a little getting used to - I didn’t feel clean! - but I love it now). They also have a good pimple spot treatment which I’ve just started using.
For acne prone or inflammed skin, go for the ‘purifying cleanser’.
Click here to go to the Miessence website
2. Banalasta
The Banalasta moisturizer is worth mentioning becuase I’ve been using it for years with a lot of success. I’ve tried many, many different moisturizers and this is the only one that I feel 100% confident with using. They have both a day and night cream, but I only use the day cream because I did find that the night cream gave me an occasional breakout.
I even wrote a blog post about this product a long time ago. You can read it here.
Click here to go to the Banalasta website
3. Cetaphil
I haven’t used cataphil but it is well known to be one of the best products for acne sufferers. I don’t usually like to recommend products that aren’t natural but this one is a good choice if you’re having trouble finding a natural product that works well for you.
This is also a very good option if you’re using any acne topicals that are drying to the skin.
Click here to go to the cetaphil website
Fran
Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.
25 responses ↓
I use Cetaphil to cleanse my skin and I agree that it is a good option for those suffering from acne, or even those who have sensitive skin. The best thing about it is that it doesn’t sting your eyes, so it’s great for removing make-up, and it won’t dry out or irritate your skin. The Cetaphil moisturising creams and lotions are also really good, definately worth a try.
Also, another cleanser for acne sufferers that I use is Phisohex. It does contain chemicals, however in the past I seemed to notice a slight difference in the appearance of my skin.
Hope this helps =)
Thanks Melissa, I might look into Phisohex because I find the Cetaphil moisturizer makes my skin feel a little sticky and clammy.
Can’t tell you how many times I have had Cetaphil in my hands, and then put it down, because it doesn’t have anything natural in it. Only chemicals, detergents, etc.
Plus, sodium lauryl sulfate is supposed to be awful for acne. So confusing. What does one believe?
Hi Gary, I totally agree with you and I was the same. The main reason why I put this one in is because it is the number one product that is recommended by doctors and dermatologists for those who are on drying acne medications or topicals like roaccutane or benzoyl peroxide. Cetaphil is known to hydrate the skin well without clogging the pores. I haven’t found a natural product that is quite as hydrating yet (keeping in mind that using roaccutane or BP is a unique situation).
What do you think of Tea Tree Oil as an acne treatment?
Hi Gary, Tea Tree Oil is great. They’ve done studies comparing it to Benzoyl Peroxide and it was almost as effective, but without the nasty side effects.
You can use it as a spot treatment, just make sure you dilute it to around 20%. There are also a heap of cleansers and moisturizers on the market that contain TTO.
Hi Fran,
is there also any product you can recommend that is available in Europe (for example Germany)? Cause it would be a bit expensive for me to buy the products that you mentioned, cause then I also have to pay for shipping and so on.
Diana
Hi Diana, I’ve actually been using products from Philosophy, Dove and Olay recently with great results. You can use anything really, just make sure that it’s non-comedognic, that’s the number 1 rule for acne sufferers. Checking products up on http://www.makeupalley.com product reviews is also awesome, because you can read personal reviews from hundreds of others that have used it (and often they mention if products have or haven’t broken them out).
Take a look at these articles, they should help a lot:
http://www.highonhealth.org/dont-put-another-skin-care-product-on-your-face-until-youve-read-this-article/
http://www.highonhealth.org/you-have-to-check-this-site-out-before-you-buy-another-skin-care-product/
hi fran is there any place in LIMA, Peru where i can get somthing for my acne? or baba de caracol? (snail cream) is that good?
HI Rene, Unfortunately I don’t know a lot about what’s available in Peru. What you could do is post your question in the forums:
http://highonhealth.org/forums/index.php
Because someone in there may be able to help. I also remember a high on health reader talking about the snail cream once so we might cach their eye if we post in the forum
Hi,
I am using JURLIQUE which is a great and extremely natural Australian skincare range. Its quite expensive but highly worth the money in my books. Have you heard of it or tried it before?
Yep, agreed ..Jurlique is a great natural brand.
I am so thankful that you have this blog. The information you have collected has been very helpful. I have found that TTO works well. I take a multi-vitamin but after reading your article on B5 I may not be taking enough. The frusterating part of my acne is that is has cleared up for the most part but I still have some that shows up, I am still trying to get ride of 4 blemishes for over 2 months now they are lingering in the same spot, they have shrunk in size but they are still there, and I get 2 new blemishes a week and they clear up in a week, so I am confused, why are the 4 still here and the others are going away?? and I have dark spots where some of the old acne used to be, I get the dark spots when the acne takes a long time to go away. I eat healthy, take vitamins, drink tea.
I am using cetaphil, have been for about 2 weeks now, I have basically only been using a cleanser, and a moisturizer, and then a spot treatment. I like the idea of my moisturizer because it is loaded with vitamins, and I wonder if your external skin really benefits at all from putting vitamins drectly on your skin? or if it really doesn’t do anything and that it is truly important to digest vitamins, Does or has your natural beauty person (sorry I can’t recall what you had referred to her as) ever mentioned if putting vitamins on your skin benefits it at all or is it just BS?
Fran do you have any skin care product suggestions for me, I have fair skin, burn easily, dry skin, sensitive skin, I live in the USA in Minnesota, we have humid hot summers, and dry cold winters. Can I use the same product all year round or would I need to change it with the seasons? I am ok with getting 1 or 2 blemishes around my period, but every week is annoying, and I just want so badly for my skin to heal and for the breakouts to stop. I guess I am asking for your advice since you have tried so many things and I personally cant afford to try as many, as I have already tried a few already. I would like to be natural but then I wonder if maybe with all the polution natural may not work, and then again if you are allergic to natural things.
Have you also ventured into a lot of cosmetics? what would you recommend for all natural cosmetics, that dont clog pores, or rub off on clothes? I am looking for a light finishing powder and a concealer, I am personally not into foundation, my personal goal is to improve my acne and allow my dark spots to heal but for the most part not cover my skin up. I don’t understand why a lot of people want to cover up there skin especially when it is beautiful.
I’m sorry for so many of these, I just think of new things to ask or mention. I just want to note that the 4 blemishes that have been lingering did start to decrease in size and redness after I started using cetaphil, and it doesn’t dry out my skin, I have to say it is a great product so far, I just do not know why I am getting 2 new blemishes a week? So I am planning on upping my dosage of Vitamin B5. If I want to switch to something more natrual would you suggest that Miessence would work the same possibly better than cetaphil? I want to keep my poors clear, clean and not pluged. Fran I have noticed when looking for natural products that they seam to never say on the packaging that they are Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic. I have heard that Parabens are bad for you and you should avoid using products with them, have you heard anything about this? I have also heard that Fragrance free is important, would you agree?
A while back probably a month ago I signed up for your mini course, very helpful information, I mentioned Jason Natural products and you had mentioned you never heard of them, Well unfourtunately they no longer carry the moisturizer loaded with green tea and vitamins, but here is the link to there web site, I would love to hear your opionion on there product line and what you think about it, if they are products that you feel are natural and good for you. I know the skin care line I had purchased they no longer carry they had fragrance added, and other ingredients that I was not sure were ok for you even though they use organic I know you had mentioned that not all “organic” or “all natural” products were created equal.
http://www.jason-natural.com/home.php
I can’t remember where you had the list of ingredients you should avoid. I want to live a all around healthy life style and I want to do what is good for my skin and health and the reason why your mini course and blog has caught my attention is because you are living healthy and natural and have been your whole life and you are an amazing person for putting yourself out there and helping people this way. I guess I thank technology and people like you Fran who wants to truly help others and not trying to get a buck out of it all the time, selfless acts of kindness. I honestly want to know every product you use, LOL! (Hair care, make-up, toothpaste, deoderant, you name it I want to know) Because you already know what works and it will be natural and healthy, not to forget GREEN. What products work the best when you heat style your hair (blowdryers, curling irons, flat irons, etc.) I am using WEN to wash my hair, and honestly I love it because my hair feels soft and healthy and it is made out of a lot of natural ingrediants there are some in there that I am unsure about, here is the link to the product, what are your thoughts on this new way to cleanse your hair?
http://www.wenhaircare.com/about_wen.php?pactvid=90051e7ec5ed92bda175f7a0e2a5bda0
I did not grow up like you, but everyday I am converting over to be more natural and healthy, my partner wants to be this way as well, so it makes things easier. I am not 100% organic, but I have changed to a healthier lifestyle minus excersize, I used to do it but I have slacked, my partner is very into it so I will be going to the gym with him.
I know I am bonbarding you with a ton of questions, and honestly please take your time, don’t feel you have to answer them all at once right away. I can’t help but want to pick your brain. I don’t really know anyone who lives an all natural healthy lifestyle. I know the world is switching to that but so far the only people I have met have switched to organic diets and supplements and the gym, so far no one I know buys natural beauty products. I tried to look some over at a whole foods store and I felt very overwhelmed because I didn’t know much about anything to know what to look for or purchase. I did use bareminerals, but then I wondered if my skin was breaking out from that so I stopped using it, and then I wanted to work on my skin so I didn’t have to wear foundation at all, mybe a quick dusting of a loose finishing powder over blush or under my eyes to conceal so that it set the makeup. Yes I use mascara, and eyeliner, and eyeshadow. I did know one girl at one time who was a veagan, her makeup was natural, no animal products, not tested on animals, and it looked awful, she looked awful, her makeup was so pasty and weird and her lipstick was always all over the place, and her eye makeup looked blotchy and uneven, maybe she didn’t know now to apply it to look good, the products could have been bad, or a combination of both, she should have just not worn any makeup at all, I am sure her natural beauty underneath was amazing.
Hi Tiffany, thanks for your very long comment. It might be better to move this conversation to the forums where we can have more room for a discussion - http://www.highonhealth.org/forums/
Hey thanks Fran for directing me to a better spot for us to chat. I just registered for access to the forum. I am new to the forums, what topic do we chat under? Looking forward to a great discussion
First, I wanted to say THANK YOU! There are so many people that want money for stuff like this. Thank you for being so helpful!
Second, I have some scars from previous acne and was wondering if you knew of anyways to get rid of them?
Thank you again!!!
Annette- There’s a thread in the forums under “Acne Treatments” about scars, it should be helpful - http://www.highonhealth.org/forums/
Hi Fran! I just wanted to thankyou so much for the site it is amazing! I ordered Miessence and with in 20 minutes after using it my skin was brighter. I have VERY mild acne so very occasional break outs and now I don’t break out any more!! Also one more question you said that the cacao bean has alot of antioxidents and I’ve been making smoothies with the acai berry. I buy the frozen packs from a health food store here in the US and it has improved my skin so much! I want to know your opinion on that. Do you think it is as good as cacao?
I don’t get how Cetaphil can claim that some of its products are mild, or for sensitive skin…the “gentle” cleanser has sodium laureth sulfate in it!
Hello Fran, I was reviewing organic treatments for acne skin and find your web site, I just purchased the bee yummy skinfood and the yellow clay from your site, i had to go to remedica to get the west african anago since you have all sold out. I am so tired of buying cheap and expensive product for my acne and some only work for days and then the acne comes back. This is my first time trying organic products but I want your advice I really want to know if i bought the right products. I bought the bee yummy skinfood, the anago cleansing and the yellow clay. I also want to ask you do you know any toner I can use?
Thank you
Hi Fran, what would you recommend for the make up products for acne prone skin?
hello,Fran.i am a 41 yr old and yet i still have this problem acne pimples and scars on my face.i try all stuff for acne but they do it for me only for a weeks and then all my pimples came back.im so desperate dont know what to do,i’m asking myself why i have still this acne on my age…i go to different dermatologist but still….im desperate,then 1 day while im searching for my problem i saw your blog,can you help me???plsss..
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