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Acne is one of the most common skin concerns, affecting people of all ages, skin types, and backgrounds. Acne can be frustrating and painful, especially if you're trying all the things without much improvement to show for it.
But it is possible to effectively treat and prevent breakouts - a combination of the right skincare routine, nutrition, and stress management can make a big difference. One of the biggest mistakes we see people making when it comes to treating their acne is using harsh, drying products to "dry out" the acne. This often causes more problems that it solves, leaving to breakouts and dry, flaky, irritated skin and a compromised skin barrier.
At Bright Body, we believe that acne can be effectively treated without harsh or harmful ingredients. We formulate gentle, nontoxic skincare that nourishes, hydrates, and supports the skin’s natural functions, including its ability to heal and prevent acne breakouts.
Before diving into the step-by-step routine, it’s important to understand why a gentle, nontoxic skincare routine is so effective for acne-prone skin.
Acne can be caused by multiple factors, including excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria, hormones, stress, and inflammation. Many people throw a full arsenal of products with several active ingredients to heal breakouts, including traditional treatments with drying ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. While you might see short-term benefits from this approach, it can also damage your skin’s natural protective barrier, making it more prone to breakouts, dryness, and irritation.
It's not to say there's never a time and place to use these ingredients, but we find that most people tend to overdo the number, strength, and frequency of these harsher acne treatments, and they often end up causing more problems than they solve.
This is where a gentle, nourishing skincare routine comes in. When you focus on products that cleanse without stripping, hydrate without clogging pores, and treat without irritating, you’re helping to create a healthy, balanced environment for your skin. By using gentler products, you can maintain clear skin while supporting its natural healing process. So, let’s dive into the steps of an effective nontoxic skincare routine for acne.
Cleansing is the first and most essential step in any skincare routine. However, many people with acne make the mistake of using harsh cleansers that strip the skin of its natural oils in an attempt to “dry out” pimples. While this may seem like a good idea, over-cleansing can actually lead to more breakouts. When you strip your skin of its natural oils, it becomes dry and irritated, causing it to overcompensate by producing even more oil. This excess oil can clog pores, leading to more acne and an ongoing cycle of irritation.
For acne-prone skin, the goal is to cleanse thoroughly without over-stripping the skin, which can cause it to overproduce oil and exacerbate acne. One effective method to achieve this is the double cleanse technique. Double cleansing is particularly beneficial for those with acne-prone skin because it ensures that your skin is thoroughly cleaned while preventing clogged pores and excessive dryness.
Pro tip: Double cleansing is best done in the evening. Typically, all you need in the morning is one single step.
Double cleansing involves two steps: the first cleanse uses an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and other oil-based impurities, while the second cleanse uses a water-based or gel-based cleanser to clean away water-based debris like sweat, dirt, and environmental pollutants. By using two different types of cleansers, double cleansing ensures a deeper, more thorough clean without leaving the skin dry or irritated.
We recommend starting your double cleanse with our Makeup Remover, which is a noncomedogenic oil-based cleanser. It gently dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and excess oils, allowing them to be easily wiped away without leaving behind residue or clogging your pores.
After using the Makeup Remover, follow up with our Ayurvedic Facial Wash, which is a mild, plant-based, water-based cleanser. The Facial Wash helps remove any remaining dirt, sweat, or impurities that the Makeup Remover may have missed, leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean. The Ayurvedic Facial Wash is formulated with gentle ingredients that cleanse without drying or irritating the skin. It removes excess oils and impurities while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which is especially important for acne-prone skin.
After cleansing, using a toner to can help maintain skin’s natural pH and prepare it to effectively absorb the subsequent products in your skincare routine. Many toners contain alcohol or other harsh astringents that can dry out the skin, but this only exacerbates acne by increasing oil production and irritation. Instead, choose a gentle, alcohol-free toner that hydrates and balances the skin without causing dryness or discomfort.
Our Ayurvedic Universal Toning Mist is a great option for acne-prone skin. It’s packed with calming botanicals that refresh and hydrate your skin while balancing its pH levels. This toner is formulated to soothe inflammation and support the skin’s natural defenses, making it an essential step for those with acne.
Pro tip: if you want to skip a toner, you can still improve absorption of your next skin care products by leaving your skin damp after washing. While you won't get the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of a toner, keeping skin damp for treatment products and moisturizers is still a good practice.
The next step in your acne skincare routine is treatment. This is where the magic happens, as the right treatment products help address the root causes of acne, such as excess oil, clogged pores, and inflammation. When choosing a treatment product, it’s essential to find one that’s effective yet gentle on the skin. Overuse of harsh acne treatments can lead to dryness, redness, and peeling, making it even harder for your skin to heal.
Our Clear Skin Potion is a perfect addition to your acne treatment routine. It’s our nontoxic version of prescription-grade Finacea, containing 15% azelaic acid. This active ingredient was originally formulated to calm inflammatory rosacea, and once scientists discovered its antibacterial properties, it became a powerful acne fighting agent. Unlike most conventional acne treatments, this potion is gentle on the skin and targets inflammation and bacteria without drying out skin or causing irritation. It works to treat active acne and prevent future breakouts. Plus, it's gentle enough for up to twice daily use without the same risk of sun sensitivity as other acne actives.
In addition to the Clear Skin Potion, you can consider adding in The Illuminating Tonic as part of your acne treatment routine. This product is a potent yet gentle exfoliating toner that can help treat active acne, prevent future breakouts, brighten hyperpigmentation, and even out your skin tone.
The Illuminating Tonic is formulated with 9% mandelic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is known for its ability to exfoliate the skin without causing irritation. Mandelic acid is derived from almonds and is one of the gentler AHAs, making it suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. This ingredient works by gently sloughing off dead skin cells, which can otherwise clog pores and contribute to acne.
Pro tip #1: While mandelic acid is a gentler exfoliant, it can still make your skin more sensitive to the sun. For this reason, we recommend using The Illuminating Tonic only in your PM routine. By applying it at night, you give your skin the time it needs to heal and regenerate without the added risk of sun exposure.
Pro tip #2: While it can be tempting to try all the actives all at once, we highly recommend isolating variables. Start with just the Clear Skin Potion once daily for one week and see how that goes - you might find that's all you need! If you need some more oomph, increase to twice daily application for one week, observing changes. If you're seeing improvement but still need a bit more power, then you can add in The Illuminating Tonic at night.
Many people with acne-prone skin make the mistake of skipping moisturizer, thinking it will worsen their breakouts. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, moisturizing is essential for acne-prone skin. When you skip moisturizer, your skin becomes dehydrated, leading to an increase in oil production as your skin tries to compensate. This can worsen acne and lead to clogged pores.
The key is to use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that hydrates without clogging pores. Our Hydrating Gel is a great choice for acne-prone skin. It’s a light, gel-based moisturizer that provides deep hydration without being greasy. The Hydrating Gel helps maintain your skin’s moisture balance and keeps it feeling soft, smooth, and nourished. It’s also formulated with ingredients that help reduce inflammation and support the skin’s natural barrier, making it an ideal choice for those dealing with acne.
In addition to a water-based moisturizer like the Hydrating Gel, some people with acne-prone skin may benefit from adding an oil to their routine, especially if they live in a drier climate or notice significant changes in their skin in the fall and winter months. While it may seem counterintuitive to use oil on acne-prone skin, the right facial oil can actually help balance oil production, hydrate the skin, and reduce inflammation.
Our Ayurvedic Facial Oil (Pitta formula) is a great option for those with acne-prone skin, particularly during the colder, drier months. This oil is formulated with Ayurvedic ingredients that nourish and hydrate the skin without clogging pores. It’s ideal for balancing oil production and soothing inflammation, making it an excellent addition to an acne-friendly skincare routine.
One of the most important steps in any skincare routine—especially for acne-prone skin—is sunscreen. Sunscreen not only protects your skin from harmful UV rays but also prevents the darkening of acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Many acne treatments can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so applying sunscreen daily is essential.
At Bright Body, we are currently developing a mineral-only, refillable, skin tone inclusive sunscreen that will be available in 2026. Our sunscreen will be specifically formulated for sensitive, acne-prone skin, providing broad-spectrum protection without irritating or clogging pores. We’re excited to offer a safe, nontoxic sunscreen option that works well for all skin tones. You can be the first to learn about our SPF by signing up here.
Now that you understand the importance of each step in your skincare routine, let’s break down a simple and effective AM/PM routine:
By following this gentle and effective acne skincare routine with Bright Body products, you can support your skin in healing and maintaining a clear, radiant complexion. With the right ingredients, you’ll treat acne without causing unnecessary irritation or dryness. Ready to try our gentle, acne-fighting skincare? Get 15% off your first order with code: NEW.
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