
If you struggle with acne and find skincare way too expensive, read on. Today, I’m sharing my must-have skincare for adult acne. [And the the products are actually affordable!]
Skincare For Adult Acne
When my perpetually blemish-free skin turned pimply and sensitive just after my 28th birthday, I had a bit of a melt down. Not only had I assumed my clear skin would last forever, but I had also grown accustomed to the idea that taking care of your face, was easy. An afterthought. Low maintenance. HA!! Was I in for a rude awakening.
With the onset of regular, painful, impossibly obvious acne breakouts, I very quickly took a hard look at what I was eating, what I was drinking, how I was cleaning my face what what I was doing to care for my skin.
My habits changed overnight. My skin? Not so much…
The Problem With Skincare
For starters, I got religious about taking my makeup off and washing my face before bed. [Not] a fun fact: I know it’s gross and I would NEVER dream of doing it today, but I used to sleep in my makeup. Don’t judge me. I also started drinking an extra litre or two of water each day and paid particular attention to my dairy and sugar consumption. But, let’s be real, I was never going to give up chocolate. And, finally, I invested in skincare.
It started with initial research. I watched influencer reviews and Youtube videos, spoke to skincare reps at SpaceNK, Kiehls, and The Ordinary. I made lists of products and brands to try including Caudalie, Algenist, Darphin, and Sunday Riley. Then, I spent A LOT of money because I was DESPERATE for results and affordable skincare for acne-prone skin just isn’t a thing.
In fact, have you noticed how ridiculously expensive ALL good skincare is? The problem with every brand and product I tried was that it lovely and luxurious, but unaffordable in any kind of long-term way.
So you can imagine my utter ELATION when I heard about *affordable* luxury skincare from BeautyPie.com.


It changed the game for me several months ago and I have not looked back. For the first time in my life, I can actually afford to have a multi-stage skincare routine and my skin has never looked healthier. (You can read my first Beauty Review here)
I’m about to share five of the products that have made the biggest difference to my skin since I started getting breakouts. But you should know that I *STILL* get them. I do not believe skincare is a cure-all. Diet matters. Stress plays a role. And hormones undoubtedly complicate the situation. But skincare is a really good way to make sure that you’re cleaning your skin well, hydrating it properly, reducing scarring and discolouration, and helping it look as vibrant and healthy as possible.
Skincare for adult acne doesn’t have to be complicated or break the bank. Here are just 5 of my current faves:
Skincare For Adult Acne: 5 Products You Need
I use each of the below products EVERY SINGLE DAY and I love them for their smell, texture, application, and effect. I consider each of them an essential part of my skincare routine and would highly recommend them to anyone who has acne-prone skin. Before you buy, make sure you get your first month free using this link: https://share.beautypie.com/x/pXtiFI!





Cleansing Balm
Any fellow oil-based waterproof makeup remover and cotton pads fans out there? LISTEN TO ME… STOP THAT RIGHT NOW. I switched to the Plantastic Apricot Butter Cleansing Balm nightly and I haven’t looked back. Not only is it every bit as amazing as it sounds, but it’s gentle on your skin, removes waterproof makeup easily and doesn’t leave an oily residue all over your face. I recommend using the balm in conjunction with these reusable sponge cloths if you can.
Cost £15.57 / Typical price: £50
Micropeeling Pads
After I have cleansed my face, I sweep one of the Dr Glycolic Multi-Acid Micropeeling Pads across the areas where most of my breakouts occur (i.e. my forehead, chin and neck line). This helps reduce clogged pores and remove dead skin cells, while reducing the appearance of scarring. I use this nightly.
Cost £9.65 / Typical price: £25
Hydra Prep Lotion
Before applying any serums or moisturisers, I pat the Japanfusion Hydra Prep Lotion onto my face. It’s silky smooth texture and slightly sweet scent make it the perfect, hydrating base for serums and moisturisers. I love how soft and glowy it makes my skin look and feel, plus it’s packed with antioxidants, which help protect my skin from pollution and nourish the surface.
Cost £9.13 / Typical price: £25
Hyaluronic Acid
As someone with skin that trends toward dry, I think the Triple Hyaluronic Acid and Lipopeptide Serum has made one of the biggest differences to the health of skin overall. By the way, YES, people with acne-prone skin still need to focus on hydration! This serum is deemed the ‘ultimate Hyaluronic Acid serum’ and helps fight wrinkles, smooth and firm skin, and keep it looking younger, fuller and dewy all day long.
Cost £16.97 / Typical price: £60
Moisturiser
Again, I feel like this is one of those products that has revolutionised the quality and heath of my skin. It is quite possibly the nicest skincare product I have ever used on my face. By the time I get to my moisturiser, I have a hard time believing my skin can look much better and then I massage the Japanfusion Supreme Cream into my face and feel like an elevated human being. I don’t know how to describe it, but this cream has changed my life. If you buy just one product, I think it should be this one.
Cost £12.95 / Typical price: £70
The above products used in that order comprise my nightly skincare routine. Sometimes I add or omit a step depending on how my skin is looking and what I feel it needs. In general, the frequency of my breakouts have declined and my skin bounces back much quicker when spots do appear. I still struggle with discolouration and scarring, but I definitely think this ‘skincare for adult acne’ regime has helped improve the resilience, quality and overall appearance of my skin.
If you enjoyed my blog post about skincare for adult acne, or if you have any questions about the products I’ve mentioned or my skincare journey more broadly, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I use a lot of other products from Beauty Pie, as well, so if you have questions about their haircare, makeup, fragrances, etc., I would love to chat!
And remember, if you’re wanting to try Beauty Pie (which I highly recommend) make sure you get your first month free using this link: https://share.beautypie.com/x/pXtiFI! I don’t make any money off of it, but it does give me an additional £50 to spend on makeup and skincare!
The EXACT same thing happened to me when I turned 28 a few months back. I’ve never struggled with acne before so it’s been slightly overwhelming trying to find things that work for my sensitive skin and don’t cost a fortune. Thank you so much for sharing these!
Author
It’s so weird that you had the same experience! Honestly, I feel your pain. Finding Beauty Pie has been the biggest relief. I hope they have something that works well for you! Let me know what you try and how you like it!