Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser
This cucumber cleanser claims to be a gentle, gel-lotion cleanser that softly melts away dirt while conditioning sensitive skin for a fresh-feeling clean that lasts all day.
This cleanser is pretty forgettable. I tested it for this post and then went back to my old cleanser.
Verdict: Pass on it. Buy this gentle cleanser instead.
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate Face Oil
When you think of the best acne skincare products, oils probably arent the first thing that come to mind. And thats understandable: After all, putting oily products on oily skin seems counterintuitive at best . But some oils can actually help keep acne at bay. Heres why: Many popular acne skincare ingredients, like salicylic acid and retinoids, can be harsh and drying if used excessively. If your skin gets too dry, your body will produce more oil to make up for the lack of natural moisture in your skin. Ultimately, this can result in clogged pores and blemishes. Ensuring your skin is well-hydrated can, therefore, help keep your sebum production under control.
Of course, you want to make sure that the oil youre using is suitable for oily, acne-prone skin. We recommend Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate Face Oil, which is formulated with 100% naturally-derived ingredients, including hemp-derived Cannabis sativa seed oil.* This lightweight, non-comedogenic oil helps balance hydration and strengthen the skins natural moisture barrier. It also helps visibly reduce skin redness and relieve discomfort for calmer skin. The unique facial oil is suitable for all skin types, but especially beneficial for those with problem skin prone to blemishes.
Kiehls Blue Herbal Spot Solution Sgd$40
The Kiehls staff had advised me to include their Blue Herbal Moisturizer in between Step 4 and this step. I tried the sample sizes and did just that instead of just purchasing it as advised because the texture wasnt pleasant it pills easily upon drying. So I was right on that, for a few nights in a row I did include the moisturizer in my regime but it pills so bad it felt uncomfortable and I was also afraid the pilling may remove some of the previous skincare applications as well.
So I skipped the moisturizer and go straight to the spot treatment. Pain alert, people!!! This one is freaking legitly painful! Even as a spot treatment you can feel stinging bites from those tiny spots alone but thankfully it lasts only for probably a minute or less. Just brace through it, wipe off a tear or two, and then theres a better tomorrow, lol. The product dries up my acne quickly so they die faster, know what Im sayin?
Verdict:
So these are my before photos since my last attempt on any anti-acne product . I picked up these products in Oct 2015 and then there are the after photos . You may think that the improvements are not significant enough but these are the ones that prevent my acne from recurring and it has been on an upward improvement for 2 months! So it is kind of a big deal to me. Fingers crossed for it never to ever revert back to its sorry state.
Present Day: 2nd Feb 2016
Reporting back on my updated skin condition as promised!
Also Check: What Face Oils Are Good For Acne
What Clears Up Acne Fast
How to Get Rid of Pimples Fast: 18 Dos & amp, Donts of Fighting Acne
- Do ice the pimple.
- Do apply a paste made of crushed aspirin.
- Dont pick your face.
- Dont overdry the affected area.
- Do tone down on toner.
- Do use makeup with salicylic acid.
- Do change your pillowcase.
- Dont wear makeup with pore-clogging ingredients.
Kiehls Calendula Herbal Extract Toner

This toner is ideal for normal to oily skin types, making it perfect for me! What I love most about this toner is the smell. Its an amazing almost tea-like smell thats very natural, I cant get enough of it! The product itself is also gorgeous to look at, with hand picked calendula petals floating inside.
Being made with whole calendula flowers and pure extracts like great burdock root, this toner aims to gently cleanse skin of remaining dirt, oil and impurities, while calming and healing the complexion. Its also alcohol free, and did not irritate or contribute to my acne in any way!
The only thing I disliked about this toner is the application. The toner I was using before was a spray application, which I really love. Being an environmentally conscious person, Kiehls Calendula Herbal Extract Toner requires the use of a cotton pad upon every application, and I couldnt help feeling like my facial care waste contribution had now doubled. My second issue with the application is that is goes against the calming properties of the toner. Rubbing the cotton pad over my face, even gently, promotes redness in my skin. With a spray application this does not happen and therefore calms the skin more effectively.
If this toner was a spray application, I would have given this product 5/5 stars and even swapped it into my regular routine!
Price
500mL: $87
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What Is Retinol: How And Why You Should Use It On Your Skin
Theres no shortage of skincare products for every health and beauty goal, whether thats treating breakouts or maintaining your skins fresh, dewy look and feel. However, not all beauty ingredients are equal. Few can claim to have scientifically proven benefits for the user, so its not surprising that retinol has emerged on top of the best skincare ingredients in the beauty world.
Retinols efficacy and safety have been tested in clinical settings, and as you might expect, this holy grail cosmetic product passed with flying colors. From an overall clearer complexion to bouncier skin, its potent formulation lets you take care of your skin woes.
Then again, even though retinol is a proven powerful, multi-purpose skincare ingredient, many are wary of using it for fear of experiencing redness, flaking, or drynessno thanks to stories that cast doubt on retinol for some users.
Dont let the things you hear stop you from making retinol part of your skincare success story. Here are facts that should help retinol get the nod it rightfully deserves.
Kiehls Blemish Control Daily Skin
This is my favourite step of all because it is the easiest to apply and not as torturous on the skin. I just need to massage a little into skin and the job is done. Massage it all over the face however concentrating on the affected areas. This one lightens not only blemishes and acne scars, it also brightens the skin and eliminate dark spots.
Also Check: What Takes Away Dark Spots From Acne
It’s Safe To Use 24/7 365 Days A Year
Because of the uniquely lightweight yet nourishing formula, the moisturizer is also safe for use in the day or night time. When I wear it at night, I’ll mix some oil in to the moisturizer to wake up with an extra glowy complexion. I was, at first, a bit nervous about wearing it during the day but once again, I was thankfully proved wrong. It provides just enough nourishment to leave my skin with a healthy glow that shows through with or without makeup layered on top.
Because of that, it’s become a staple in my skincare routine year-round. I usually switch up the products I use every season, but this one even manages to keep my skin from getting greasy on hot, sweaty, summer days.
Kiehls Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
This is a deep-pore cleansing masque which helps to eliminate debris and dead surface skin cell accumulation that can clog pores, lead to breakouts and leave skin dull-looking. It also helps to eliminate surface impurities and toxins from the skin. With regular usage, skin appears more refined with visibly minimized pores and less breakouts.
Read Also: What Toner Is Good For Acne Prone Skin
Best Kiehls Products For Dry Combination Oily & Acne Prone Skin
10 Best Kiehls Award Winning Products & Must Haves!
Kiehls is one of the best skincare brands that delivers quality products which rejuvenate and replenish the skin. It was founded in 1851 as an old-world apothecary and now, Kiehls is one of the cult high-end brands for skin care and hair care. Their products contain some of the best and effective natural ingredients including lavender, squalene, calendula, caffeine, vitamin C, blue algae, etc. which is known to show an incredible effect to the skin. Once you start using their products, it is hard to go back to other brands however the products are a little heavily priced hence people are often confused on what to invest in. To make your choice easier, we list the bestaward wining products by Kiehls which are total must haves and suitable for dry, combination, oily and acne prone skin.
10 Best Kiehls Products Worth Buying: Reviews & Prices
Kiehls Best Toner For Uneven Skin Tone And Texture:
Daily Refining Milk-Peel Toner
Something you may not realize is that a toner can be used to exfoliate your skin. Certain toners, like Daily Refining Milk-Peel Toner, are liquid exfoliators that help address an uneven skin tone and texture. Our milk-peel lightly sloughs away dead skin cells and impurities. The formula, which contains almond milk and lipo-hydroxy acid, replenishes the skins barrier for a clear complexion and smooth, comfortable feel.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Redness Out Of Acne
How Can You Help Prevent Dark Spots
To help prevent dark spots from forming, apply sunscreen with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection every day to protect skin from damaging UV rays. While you may not see an immediate difference, this preventative step will significantly help your skin over time. If you also have dark spots caused by blemishes use skincare products for acne-prone skin to help reduce breakouts and keep skin clear and healthy-looking. The longer a blemish lasts may increase the likelihood that it will form a post-acne mark so treat any breakouts quickly with a targeted formula like a spot treatment with Salicylic Acid. Formulas with Vitamin C or Salicylic Acid may also help diminish darkspots and help to make them less visible.
How Do You Treat Acne

When you have an acne blemish or breakout, apply targeted acne treatment to the affected area to help clear skin. Look for acne treatment products with Salicylic Acid or Sulfur to help effectively target blemishes and help keep skin balanced and healthy-looking. Our skincare for acne prone skin range from detoxifying clay masks to our Salicylic Acid acne cream that moisturizes and helps control acne blemishes. Keep your skin clear and balanced with Kiehls line of acne prone skin care.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Nodular Acne
Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate
This is facial oil and it is supposed to be used after cleansing the face. It can be worn alone or under a moisturizer. This is a paraben-free oil which works all night to regenerate, repair and replenish the skin. If you have acne-prone and combination skin, then it will surely improve your skins texture and will also help to banish those breakouts.
Kiehls Best Toner For Normal To Oily Skin:
Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner
Help calm, soothe, and refresh skin with Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner. Combination and oily skin can benefit from this best-selling toner that gently balances skins natural oils and removes any dirt, debris, and residue left behind by your cleanser. Its gentle yet effective alcohol-free formula is infused with handpicked Calendula flower petals. Alcohol-free toners are ideal for normal to oil skin, which you dont want to expose to harsh drying ingredients.
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Kiehls Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence Sgd$68
I have this one at home, and I was foolish enough to have suspected it as one of the culprits that may be clogging my pores, so I stayed off it in a while. However, the Kiehls lady told me the opposite she said this essence has iris extract that only calms the skin, it helps very much with skin cell renewal that may actually help with skin restructuring and acne scar removals. Not that I didnt know about this, or I wouldnt have given a positive review of the Kiehls Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence but the thought of essence reminds me of thickened solution and the thought itself just make me feel it would clog pores.
So I was educated and continued to use it as a Step 3 of my acne skin care routine. You just need a couple of drops and press it onto the skin. She was right. The pores got tightened and new acne didnt seem to develop on them.
Kiehls Best Toner For Men:
Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic
Its true that men can have dry, oily, sensitive, or normal skin, just like anyone else. But, its also undeniable that men and women have different skin. Their skin is thicker and has larger pores. For this reason, we recommend men try Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic. This invigorating toner, which can be used morning and night, visibly reduces the signs of fatigue while helping to soothe and balance skin. The formula contains caffeine and bamboo extract and leaves skin feeling hydrated and comfortable. You can also use the face toner to soothe and refresh skin after shaving.
Kiehl’s Expert Tip: Multi-tasking skincare products are a must if you want to streamline your routine and stick with simple skincare steps. A toner that doubles as a skin-soother post-shave is a great place to start, as is a moisturizer with SPF. Knock out two steps in one because why not?
Read Also: How To Find Out What’s Causing My Acne
Daytime Skincare For Oily Skin
Depending on the time of the year, I have two major favourites here: the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel and the Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream.
I use the first literally every day from spring to autumn as it truly does what it says: it hydrates the skin with its soft and light texture, getting absorbed quickly and leaving your face shine-free. Of course, for a matte effect that lasts, I need to top it up with a primer and face powder, but that would happen even if I dont apply any moisturiser at all.
During winter my skin usually requires some extra care and since the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel isnt enough, I normally shift towards the Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream: a product I have fallen in love with since day one. Aside from its heavenly scent , its a weightless cream that still manages to soothe the skin and thoroughly hydrate it, helping fight seasonal dryness. In fact, I love to use it all year round at night.
What Acne Treatment Should You Avoid During Pregnancy
Some skin care ingredients are potentially risky to baby and have been associated with birth defects, says Dr. Gaither. A few ingredients you should avoid include:
- Retinols and retinoids. Dr. Gaither advises moms-to-be to stop using both prescription retinoids and over-the-counter retinol products.
- Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. There’s some debate about whether these common acne-fighters are safe. Many doctors say you should avoid them, but the American Academy of Dermatology says they may be okay in small doses. To be safe, ask your doctor before using products with these ingredients.
It can be helpful to look for cleansers and spot treatments with these active ingredients, which are thought to be safe for pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists :
- Azelaic acid
- Glycolic acid
Pro tip: At your next OB/GYN visit, bring a bag of your skincare products, says Dr. Gaither. Your doctor will be able to look over the list of ingredients and give you better advice than if you simply told her what products you were using.
There are still acne treatments out there that you can use during pregnancy. Just keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different if youve noticed a sudden change in your skin, your OB/GYN and dermatologist should be your first stop for a treatment plan and you should always consult them before trying a new product yourself.
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What Does Retinol Do
Retinols versatility in addressing different skin issues is backed by science and data.
Kiehls Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

It is extremely safe for sensitive as well as acne-prone skin. This face wash has creamy gel formula which activates with water to create a rich foam. It is a gentle cleanser which cleanses effectively without stripping the skin off natural oils. With continuous usage, you will feel your skin tone improving, dead cells vanishing and acne breakouts decreasing.
Also Check: How To Help Chest Acne