Teen acne treatment advise

[Cai16]

I'm a teen who has oily/dry skin and acne problems. I'm trying to find something that would be healthy for my slightly sensitive skin. Preferably less than $100 if possible but will consider more expensive options if it is worthwhile. Wishing for suggestions from fellow shoppers or skin care specialist. I am indifferent to weather it is cream, oil, scrub, or mask. Thanks all who help. 

[dvip]

My recos based on experience, dermatologist’s advice and TikTok are:

- clean with Cetaphil or Cerave 

- serum with a salicylic acid (check out The Ordinary)

- if this doesn’t help seek out benzoyl peroxide based products (may need to go through dermatologist)

- always moisturize, even if you have oily skin. This is huge because your skin will produce more sebum if you overdry it. I reco either cerave or a gel-like texture. (I avoid the Ordinary moisturizer given it made me break out) 

- sunscreen daily. Splurge on Supergoop - it’s a delight! Key here is that even if it seems the sun helps your acne, it can actually make your pimples appear more prominent if you have lighter skin
- and given you’re young and taking such good care of yourself anyway, incorporate an eye cream to make your eyes sparkle! I reco something vitamin c based - drunk elephant or olehenriksen

[quspork]

What specific products are you currently using in your skincare routine, @Cai16?

[Cai16]

Currently I am using Dermasil labs facial scrub with vitamin E. (Photo attached below) but I have also tried proactive. 

[quspork]

Hmmm, so looking at the ingredients list for that cleanser, @Cai16, it may be contributing to your issues. It has some ingredients that can be drying and irritating and even if it does work well for your skin, you probably don't want to be using a scrub every day. 

I'd recommend starting with the basics (gentle cream or gel hydrating cleanser, gel or light cream moisturizer, and sunscreen). After you have those base products in place, you can look at adding in a BHA/salicylic acid serum to help treat the acne. 

Here are a few options for cleansers: philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser fresh Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser Youth To The People Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

For Moisturizers: belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb CosRx Oil-Free Moisturizing Lotion Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra Moisturizing Sorbet 1.3 oz/ 40 mL OLEHENRIKSEN Sheer Transformation® Perfecting Moisturizer Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream 

For Sunscreens: COOLA Mineral Sun Silk Crème SPF 30 1.5 oz/ 44 mL MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 40 PA +++ 

And when you're ready for BHA: Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 4 oz/ 118 mL CosRx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid SEPHORA COLLECTION Clarifying Peel Pads 60 Pads