Beauty and Style

Three products for spotty skin that really work

August 20, 2015

I didn’t get spots at all until I was around 25. Don’t hate me, but teenage acne never plagued me, and as result when spots did start to frequently visit me five years ago I didn’t know what to do.

Now, with a little help from my favourite internet-based experts and application of a little more attention to my face, I’ve found some products (and one process) which doesn’t keep me spot-free exactly, but does mean I can much more easily handle them when they do pop up.

Before I get to the products though (and without wanting to sound patronising), the first place to start is with a proper cleanse. I’ve written an entire ode to cleaning your face properly with a flannel, so I won’t repeat myself here, save to say that making sure you’re giving your face a really good clean at the end of the day is the essential starting point for reducing spots.

1. Clearasil Ultra Deep Pore Treatment Toner

I don’t think I actually saw this recommended anywhere, but I was looking for a budget product with some salicylic acid in it and I stumbled across this one. It feels pretty harsh on the skin, so I don’t spread it all over my face. Rather, after a good clean (and yes, sometimes a squeeze) I will put some onto a cotton bud and apply it directly to the spots. It stops the spots from developing further and I think it helps to speed up their disappearance. It’s pretty cheap to begin with but is often on offer in Boots and Superdrug if you want even more of a bargain.

products for spots that really work

2. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (+)

This was definitely something I saw on a few different blogs – it’s a treatment that works to correct the appearance of spots, control shine and reduce the appearance of marks left on your skin by blemishes. I love this stuff: I’ve re-purchased it twice and have recently taken custody of a bottle that Rachel didn’t want. I mention that last bit in the spirit of honesty – Rachel wasn’t blown away by it in the way that I am, so I don’t think this is for everyone; it really does depend on your skin type. Since my skin moved from ‘nothing to report here’ – by which I mean no dryness, oiliness or anything that needed special attention – to what I would probably term ‘blemish-prone’ with a typically oily T-zone, this has become a core product for me. It is another ‘layer’ you’re putting on your skin, but I find that if you’re using a serum anyway you can skip the moisturiser part unless you have particularly parched skin.

3. Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Masque

Probably the most-recommended face mask of all time – I can’t count the number of times I’ve read rave reviews about this product. So when I saw that an Aesop concession had appeared in the Manchester branch of Selfridges, I couldn’t resist having a chat with the lovely woman who worked there about whether this would work for me. She really sold it to me – and, while it is a bit pricey, I can confirm that it is absolutely worth the money (plus, you only need a thin layer for each application so it last for ages). It gives your skin a very thorough deep cleanse without leaving it feeling stripped. Also, it’s gentle enough to use more than once a week if you’re having a really rough time with your skin.

Products for spotty skin

Do you suffer with spots? What are your saviour products? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

P.S. My favourite blogs for skincare, a face brush that’s brilliant for spot-prone skin and five time-saving beauty products that won’t break the bank.

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3 Comments

  • lizziewoodman@gmail.com'
    Reply Lizzie Woodman August 20, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    Just lately I’ve been suffering from a horribly oily T zone and blocked pores. I started using the La Roche Posay serum a few months ago – it’s definitely doing something as I don’t get anywhere near as many big spots now, but my pores are still very clogged. I use the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and the gentle scrub a couple of times a week too. I’d love something to just clear up the horrible blocked pores though – maybe those little sticky strips? Did you find the Aesop masque did much for your pores?

  • Reply Rose August 22, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Yes I definitely think it cleans out your pores and I like the REN ‘Invisible Pores Detox Mask’ too – though obvs you don’t get invisible pores. I haven’t really tried those strips but I can’t believe they work!! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment xo

  • lisanaomimitchell@gmail.com'
    Reply Lisa August 31, 2015 at 11:11 am

    I’ve been using the tea tree cream cleanser from body shop recently and it has changed my skin entirely for the better.

  • Leave a Reply to Lisa Cancel Reply