When I need advice and I need it fast, I love asking my readers. Especially when it comes to beauty – you guys always know what’s up! So last week when bumps suddenly amassed all over my forehead, I quickly posted on Instagram asking for your breakout cures. The responses did not disappoint – all 500+ of them! HUGE thank you to everyone who responded.

From natural remedies to reliable products (containing glycoloic, lactic and/or salicylic acid were mentioned A LOT) and what to adjust in one’s routine, here were the most common answers:

PRODUCTS:

IS Clinical Active Serum
This was the most suggested product and is IS Clinical’s #1 selling product so it must be GOOD! So what is it? A multi-tasking face serum that improves the appearance of aging, acne-prone and dull complexions. I’ve ordered myself a bottle to put it to the test – should be arriving this week!

Biologique Recherche – p50 Lotion
This was the second most suggested product and Biologique Recherche’s #1 selling product, so again, it must be good. (Even though it has a reputation of smelling like trash, literally, from ingredients like onion extract, horseradish, and vinegar.) So what gives? It’s packed with Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid which is why this cult favorite is known to be “magic potion.” It exfoliates, hydrates and balances the pH of the skin.

True Botanicals Clear Pure Radiance Oil & Antioxidant Booster
A handful of skin guru’s recommended these two products together, and as if that wasn’t enough reason to give them a go, they’re also super clean products. The Clear Pure Radiance Oil helps balance and clears up the skin, while the incredibly potent Antioxidant booster treatment firms, cleans acne and brightens dark spots.

Sunday Riley UFO
Formulated with clarifying plant oils like tea tree and black cumin seed oil along with Salicylic Acid, this facial serum is known to reduce the appearance of acne, blackheads and blemishes.

Sunday Riley Good Genes
This anti-aging treatment is formulated with purified-grade lactic acid that works to clear skin and produce natural collagen. Ingredients like licorice, lemongrass and aloe are meant to help you achieve an even complexion while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Tata Harper Clarifying Spot Treatment
Infused with healing copper, magnesium, zinc, essential oils, and powerful herbal extracts, this solution treats blemishes by neutralizing impurities and reducing inflammation on the spot. Brilliant!

Cocokind Chlorohyll Mask and Turmeric Stick
Clean beauty lovers suggested these two products (I have both and can attest to their performance). The customizable chlorohyll maskl is densely packed with chlorophyll, organic spirulina, wheatgrass and chlorella which provide an antioxidant punch that help clear, soothe, and brighten skin. You can add water, facial oils, yogurts, milks, or other carriers to the mask – whatever your skin needs!

The turmeric stick is packed with turmeric, ginger, and tea tree oil, which ward off breakouts and helps to brighten skin tone by reducing excess melanin production. You can use this alone or under the Chlorophyll Mask for extra acne-fighting power.

Mario Badescu drying lotion
This fan favorite is $17 and includes Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, and Calamine which combined together help dry up pesky problems overnight.

Retinol
Retinol helps stimulate the production of new skin cells and can help to fade dark spots resulting from photo-aging, hyperpigmentation, hormonal changes, and blemish scars. Prescription-strength retinoids renew the skin, treat acne, reduces appearance of fine lines and helps with skin discoloration all which sound great, but unfortunately not safe for this breastfeeding mama (or anyone expecting).

NATURAL REMEDIES:

Aztec Clay
This deep-pore healing clay is $10.95 and a #1 seller on Amazon. As a prime member, it certainly can’t hurt to try, right?!

Tea Tree Oil
FYI! This apparently can burn your skin – it’s that powerful – so it’s important to dilute the oil with water before applying directly to your skin.

Witch Hazel
This natural remedy is commonly used to remove excess oil from the skin and help dry out acne, which is why it’s especially known to help people struggling with acne.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Spot treating with ACV came up A LOT and luckily for me, I had some in my fridge, so I got started on it right away. The reason people like applying it to skin is that it kills bacteria, removes excess dirt/oil, dissolves dead skin cells and helps return the acidity to the skin.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES:

Strip it all way back – limit the amount of products being used.

Cut out: coffee, sugar, carbs, soy and dairy.

Take or drink: celery juice, probiotics, collagen, chlorophyll, apple cider vinegar and tons of water.

Phew! What would you add to this list?