Anyone prone to blemishes (or who’s dealing with marks from breakouts past) knows how difficult it can be to balance oily, acne-prone skin. Thankfully, Green says that this Neutrogena toner offers a solution. “Toner can be used as a secondary cleansing step after using a cleanser best suited for your skin,” she explains. “This toner contains chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which are great for acne-prone skin.” Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), renowned for diving deep into the skin to dissolve the buildup of makeup, oil, dirt, and other bacteria. And glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that disrupts the bond between the dead skin cells and the outer layer of the skin, making it a more gentle exfoliant. With the two together, breakouts don’t stand a chance.
“Ingredients such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid help to deep cleanse pores to prevent future acne breakouts while exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells to expose healthy, glowing skin,” says Dr. Green. One thing she wants you to keep in mind when using this formula? “It is important to note that AHAs and BHAs increase photosensitivity, so nighttime usage of chemical exfoliants and daily use of SPF 50 is highly recommended.”