Skin-Saving Products You’ll Want In Your Emergency Stash
Okay, the worst has happened: you’ve woken up to find that zits are staging a hostile takeover of your face, or there’s a mystery splotch that won’t go away, or your pores look positively enormous and congested, or, or, or….the list goes on and on.
All good things take time, and while your skin gets back to normal, you might wanna reach for some high-powered problem-solvers to speed the process along.
So let’s break it down! For every product, I’ll share the pros and cons (of real testing!), along with a price point. No gatekeeping here— I’ll tell ya the truth, so you can find what’s best for YOU.
$ - Under $30
$$ - Under $50
$$$ - Under $100
Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
I literally cannot live without this stuff. Don’t expect fancy fragrances or impressive ingredients lists — this only has one: hypochlorous acid, a compound naturally present in our bodies. You need this if you have reactive skin, want to calm down angry breakouts, or are just keen on soothing bug bites, sunburns, or irritation.
Pros: Actually works. I had a bad reaction to a face mask and this was the only stuff that helped the swelling and redness go down!
Cons: It does its best work after drying down, so patience is key here.
$$
Zitsticka Press Refresh Exfoliating Hydro-Mask
Made of hydrogel and comprised of two parts, this mask is as easy to use as it is effective at healing breakouts and preventing new ones. It’s infused with graphene that interacts with your bod’s natural microcurrents — this actually helps its actives delve deeper into your pores (and makes them more effective).
Pros: What a treat this is to use! You won’t have to try to finesse a giant sheet to line up with your mouth and eyeballs, and because it’s made of gel — rather than fabric — it stays moist for longer and keeps the magic going for more than five minutes.
Cons: The price is, arguably, the biggest con but when we’re talking about emergency products we use infrequently, I’d say it’s worth it.
$$
Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops
A real multi-tasker. Can be worn as a serum or a primer, leaving a flawless finish either way. Gentle acids keep things smooth and blemish-free (and pores clear of debris). Not a huge package, but a little goes a long way.
Pros: Another multi-purpose product that saves me from toting around a hundred and one bottles. Smells faintly of strawberries and feels ah-mazing on the skin. The fact that it also reduces oil production is just a bonus.
Cons: None!
$$
Innisfree Retinol Cica Patches
Fab (and gentle) microneedle action you can slap on pain-free. Packed with retinol and majorly soothing. A must-have for especially painful breakouts, especially those hiding under your skin.
Pros: Instead of simply absorbing your zit goo like hydrocolloid versions, these actually treat the offending area, too. They’re larger than standard patches, which is great if your face loves blessing you with clusters of pimples every once in a while.
Cons: Pricey! You only get 18 patches, so think of these as a nuclear option for particularly stubborn, painful, or irritated zits.
$$
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Minimizing Clay Mask
Even though this comes in an impressively-sized tub, it’s not still not big enough. It’s fantastic at decongesting clogged pores and reducing redness of any pimples you may already have, and actually makes your skin feel softer after one use.
Pros: It’s basically like a vacuum for dirty pores (you can even see the lil’ bumps and pustules as the clay sucks out the gunk hiding inside).
Cons: Like any clay masks, it can get a bit drying if you use it too often. I try to stick to max two times a week.
$$$
Patchology Flashpatch Hydrating Lip Gels
When lip balms and masks aren’t doing it, these patches are what I turn to. They’ve got a funny texture (courtesy of the hydrogel) that actually feels incredible on chapped lips. Using these about once a week in the winter kept my smoocher from turning into a crispy mess.
Pros: They’re lip-shaped and generously-sized, so all the skin around your mouth gets some TLC, too. There’s even a teeny slit in the middle, so you can still sip your fave bevvy from a straw in the middle of your treatment.
Cons: They have a tendency to slide around, so sit your butt down while these work their wonders.
$
Freck Beauty Cactus Water Cleansing Lactic Acid Toner
Hands down the gentlest toner I’ve ever used — yes, even with the lactic acid. Instead of just dissolving dead skin and gunk, it also hydrates and refines in the process. If you find yourself over-scrubbing with physical exfoliants and getting nowhere, definitely pop this in your shopping cart.
Pros: Honestly gave me the best skin of my life. A splash here, a splash there, and my face was free of bumps, congestion, and irritation, all with my skin barrier intact.
Cons: Lactic acid (like other actives) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure you slather on some SPF while you’re using this.
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