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Acne 101
Pore-Clogging Ingredients to Watch For (and What to Use Instead)
If your acne-prone skin still feels unpredictable — even when you swear you’re doing everything right — it might be time to zoom in on ingredients. Comedogenic (aka pore-clogging) culprits can hide in everything from your cleanser to your conditioner, quietly clogging things up and making breakouts stick around. Even labels like “non-comedogenic” don’t always mean safe. That’s why it pays to know what ingredients to look for, and what to ditch.
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Pore-Clogging Ingredients to Watch For (and What to Use Instead)
If your acne-prone skin still feels unpredictable — even when you swear you’re doing everything right — it might be time to zoom in on ingredients. Comedogenic (aka pore-clogging) culprits can hide in everything from your cleanser to your conditioner, quietly clogging things up and making breakouts stick around. Even labels like “non-comedogenic” don’t always mean safe. That’s why it pays to know what ingredients to look for, and what to ditch.
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Tretinoin 101: What It Is + Why It Matters for Acne-Prone Skin
Tretinoin’s one of those skincare essentials you’ve probably heard a lot about — especially if you’ve spent time in skincare forums, derm offices, or TikTok rabbit holes. It’s a topical retinoid derived from vitamin A, and it’s a legit go-to from dermatologists for treating acne, fading dark spots, and boosting collagen production over time. But here’s the catch: not all tretinoin is created equal. And if you’re acne-prone, it’s key to talk to your healthcare provider about getting on an acne-safe version early.
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What Sulfur Actually Does for Your Skin (and Why It Belongs in Your Routine)
If you’ve dealt with breakouts longer than you'd like to admit, you’ve probably heard of salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and maybe even retinoids. But sulfur? Underrated. It’s got that old-school pharmacy vibe, but don’t sleep on it — it’s gentle, effective, and kind of a sleeper hit for calming chaos.
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Latest Blog Posts
“Eventually, I realized the hard truth: there’s no real industry standard for what makes a product acne-safe”
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read moreAcne 101
Pore-Clogging Ingredients to Watch For (and What to Use Instead)
If your acne-prone skin still feels unpredictable — even when you swear you’re doing everything right — it might be time to zoom in on ingredients. Comedogenic (aka pore-clogging) culprits can hide in everything from your cleanser to your conditioner, quietly clogging things up and making breakouts stick around. Even labels like “non-comedogenic” don’t always mean safe. That’s why it pays to know what ingredients to look for, and what to ditch.
-
read moreAcne 101
Tretinoin 101: What It Is + Why It Matters for Acne-Prone Skin
Tretinoin’s one of those skincare essentials you’ve probably heard a lot about — especially if you’ve spent time in skincare forums, derm offices, or TikTok rabbit holes. It’s a topical retinoid derived from vitamin A, and it’s a legit go-to from dermatologists for treating acne, fading dark spots, and boosting collagen production over time. But here’s the catch: not all tretinoin is created equal. And if you’re acne-prone, it’s key to talk to your healthcare provider about getting on an acne-safe version early.
-
read moreAcne 101
What Sulfur Actually Does for Your Skin (and Why It Belongs in Your Routine)
If you’ve dealt with breakouts longer than you'd like to admit, you’ve probably heard of salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and maybe even retinoids. But sulfur? Underrated. It’s got that old-school pharmacy vibe, but don’t sleep on it — it’s gentle, effective, and kind of a sleeper hit for calming chaos.
-
read moreAcne 101
What Is Salicylic Acid and Why It Belongs in Your Skincare Routine
Let’s talk about one of the most proven, go-to ingredients in the acne world: salicylic acid. Technically, it’s a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) — aka an oil-soluble chemical exfoliant that goes deep into pores to clear out dead skin cells and excess oil. Translation? It’s a total MVP for unclogging skin and calming breakouts before they blow up.
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ReadAcne 101
Non-Comedogenic Isn’t Just a Buzzword — Let’s Break It All Down
If your skin breaks out easily, you’ve probably heard the term non-comedogenic. You’ve also probably Googled “pore-clogging ingredients” at midnight while trying to decode why your skincare might be backfiring. Same tbh. Here’s the deal: if you have acne-prone skin, switching to non-comedogenic products is one of the easiest ways to support your skin — without scrapping your entire routine or falling down a Reddit rabbit hole.
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read moreAcne 101
So...Is It a Skin Purge or a Breakout?
You try a new product. A few days later, your face flips out. But before you toss it, pause: is this a breakout, or just a skin purge? And yes, there is a difference. They look similar, but they mean totally different things. One is part of the process. The other? A sign your skincare products might not be it. Let’s make sense of it all so you can move forward with clarity.
