Shannon Bruno's Top 10 Picks for Bacterial Acne

When I first started having bad acne, I tried benzoyl peroxide and it completely cleared my skin. This is how I knew I had bacterial acne, because BP directly kills acne causing bacteria in the pore. 

I would apply a thin layer of this 2.5% BP nightly for at least two months, both on my face and back, wait for it to dry completely, then apply moisturizer. 

While BP is one of the most effective acne treatments, there are also drawbacks such as drying/dehydrating the skin and staining your clothes. If your skin is the oily type, BP is not a bad ingredient to start with; just be sure to moisturize well to compensate for the dryness that comes overtime. 

Oh, and 2.5% is just as effective as 5%, so don't over do it!

This 2% BHA liquid is Paula's Choice's best selling product. I've only recently started trying BHA in a liquid formula, but this one is so good.

BHA (beta hydroxy acid) is best for oily skin types as it exfoliates inside the pore by shedding built up skin and sebum, unclogging the pore and destroying/preventing black heads. 

Acne causing bacteria lives in oil inside the pore, so if you're both oily and acne prone, this will work to prevent acne. Use it once or twice daily, after toning your face and before serum.

This my most used and repurchased serum product. Niacinamide is possibly my most favorite ingredient to prevent acne and treat dark spots. 

My skin is extremely prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and scarring, so I personally love niacinamide because it treats all these problems in one ingredient. It brightens, reduces oil production, tightens your pores, and smooths texture. 

The zinc in this serum compliments the niacinamide well because it calms and soothes active blemishes. Use it once or twice daily, after toning and/or exfoliating. I personally see best results from using this day and night.

Rosehip oil is my favorite facial oil because its benefits are perfect for oily, acne prone skin. I've used it for years on its own or as a main ingredient in one of my night routine products. 

I like this specific one not only because it's affordable for the amount you get, but it was the only one I used for several years and I know my skin loves it. 

Rosehip oil is rich in linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid that is anti-inflammatory, repairative, and brightening. It's rich in vitamins A and C, which are essential for cell turnover and collagen production. It's also naturally antibacterial, which is why I love it for acne prone skin.

This facial oil contains a blend of my favorite oils for acne prone skin. I'm currently using this product as the last step in my night routine and am almost out. 

It contains rosehip, blue tansy, and tea tree oils to name a few. Blue tansy oil is the star of this product, and you can tell at first smell. It's highly aromatherapeutic, but also mainly known for it's anti-inflammatory, calming, and antioxidant properties. 

It's deeply nourishing for dry or mature skin, yet also works for oily skin. I love that it's mixed with rosehip and tea tree oil, because together, they're a powerhouse for acne prone skin. I always use a generous amount of this.

I recently started using this product a few months ago and it's helped to clear my breakouts so quickly and fade PIH faster as well. It's a pricey product that was gifted by the brand, but I definitely see myself purchasing this when I run out. 

It has an 11% acid complex made of mandelic, salycilc, and lactic acid, making it effective for exfoliating the top layers of skin and inside the pore. It's ironically one of the most gentle acid serums I've tried, yet it's so potent. 

It also contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide tamanu oil and rosehip oil as top ingredients, which helps the formula be less irritating yet full of skin-repairing properties.

I also recently started using this product, and feel like it complements the above serum really well. It's made to be the last step after serum, although I use it before my facial oil at night. It's a nighttime moisturizer that helps to prevent future blemishes, improve skin texture and improve dark marks. 

The main ingredients in this are similar to the serum, except with more moisturizing ingredients that double as antibacterial and soothing irritation. It's a pricey product, but together with the serum, I've only seen great results. I've been using this for two months now and plan to use it up!

This mask is my holy grail for acne prone skin. Being among influencers in the IG skincare community who constantly talk high praises for this product, I knew I had to buy this while at the flagship in Paris (it's cheaper there!). 

This mask is made with high concentrations of live yeast, witch hazel, and cucumber extracts which make it excellent for pore purifying and revitalizing the complexion. 

The brand suggests using it twice a week, but if I remember to, I love using it more often. My skin is always left incredibly soft after using. I was in Europe for almost a month in October 2019 and used this mask every other day. I didn't break out once!

Last but not least, this is my favorite honey mask. If you're unfamiliar with me on IG - honey masks are my absolute favorite type of mask for oily, acne prone skin. 

Manuka honey in particular is incredibly antibacterial, softening, and antiinflammatory. It's also a great humectant, drawing moisture to the skin. 

The mask also contains adzuki beans, a natural foaming agent that gently exfoliates and brightens, and rhassoul clay, which draws out impurities and nourishes the skin with minerals. The best parts about this mask is that it doubles as a mask and gentle cleanser, and it's completely natural, so it's not harmful if you happen to lick it off!

Curology is a completely customized skincare service that I've been using since 2016. You work with a certified dermatology provider who prescribed a customized, one step daily treatment for your skin's needs. 

Curology works for all kinds of skin concerns, but my main concern at the time was bacterial acne and hyperpigmentation. My provider prescribed me a treatment with 8% azelaic acid, 1% clindamycin, and 0.25% zinc pyrithione. 

The 1% clindamycin is a clinical strength topical antibiotic, an ingredient that's extremely effective at treating/preventing acne. The azelaic acid and zinc work to calm inflammation and lighten dark spots. If you're looking for a more customized treatment to tackle more than one concern, I highly recommend Curology!