Dealing with acne has to be one of the worst things ever. Not only is it physically painful to have those red zits and the whole popping process, but it’s also mentally draining.

Photo by Nekrashevich from Pexels

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out a solution for acne, and after years of trial and error, I’ve discovered that all the fancy creams that are over $50 are not the magic solution you might be searching for. I searched the entire internet for the most affordable skincare picks that have thousands of raving reviews– and they are all under $30:

Pimple Patch

I swear by a good pimple patch. They are the easiest things to use; all you have to do is simply stick it onto a zit, sleep overnight, and peel it off to reveal all the gunk and oil sapped from the skin. It’s also totally painless, and unlike a cream, you don’t have to worry about it getting everywhere.

I have personally used the Hero Cosmetics and Cosrx one, and both have worked wonders. I love going for a pack with as many patches as possible, and these sticker packs come in dozens:

Spot Treatment

When it comes to spot treatments, the ingredients matter the most. I love using these products below to really get the gel or cream absorbed into the problem spot.

My absolute favorite from the below is the Hero Cosmetics post-blemish balm. I use it religiously and it has been the best product I have ever used to get rid of my acne scars and dark spots.

Cleanser

One of the biggest factors in clearing up acne is making sure you are properly washing and cleansing your face. So much acne gets created from trapped oil, grime, and gunk, and these cleansers are good for making your face feel fresh without stripping the hydration.

Something I have learned over time is that acne always gets worse if there is no hydration, so these cleansers are a must-have: