Two Acne Products You Need to Try (And How to Use Them Right)
If you’ve been trying to clear your acne with salicylic acid or retinol and still have breakouts, this is for you. The best tools for clear skin aren’t what you’ve been told.
I’m sharing two products I recommend to every client—even for stubborn, hormonal, or cystic acne. Plus, I’ll walk you through how to use them so your skin actually clears up and stays clear.
Benzoyl Peroxide: The Misunderstood Hero
You’re Probably Using It Wrong
If you’ve tried benzoyl peroxide and ended up with dry, flaky skin? It’s not the product—it’s how you used it.
Most people start too strong, too fast, or pick a drugstore formula that’s clogging or the wrong pH. Your skin reacts because benzoyl peroxide is a strong product.
But when used correctly, you’ll love what benzoyl peroxide will do for your acne. It stops breakouts and keeps them away. My clients have cleared even the toughest acne with it, even after other treatments failed.
Why it works: It kills acne-causing bacteria in your pores, reduces inflammation, unclogs pores, and balances oil. It can even treat cystic, hormonal acne topically.
Quality Is Everything
Drugstore benzoyl peroxide products have 2 issues that make them less effective:
Ingredients that clog pores (see examples below).
They’re diluted for safety. So that 5% or 10% might actually be closer to 2.5%.
Yes, they’re supposed to help, but they can make acne worse.
For real results, you need a clinical-grade formula with the right pH and no clogging ingredients.
My rule for acne? Never trust a label. Always check the ingredients.
Here are three examples of common benzoyl products that have pore-clogging ingredients:
Those ingredients in red? They cause acne.
How to Use Benzoyl Peroxide the Right Way
Here’s my step-by-step method. It works for all skin types, even sensitive ones.
First, make sure you’re not allergic. Itchy welts, hives, or a hot, swollen face? Stop. Benzoyl isn’t for you—that’s an allergy. If you're not sure, do a patch test: Apply a dab to your inner elbow for three nights in a row. If no reaction, you can use it safely on your face.
Start with 2.8% (sensitive skin or teens) or 5% (everyone else). Use a pea-sized amount.
Apply every other night for two weeks. Thin layer, whole face. Skip the eye area and smile lines—they’re sensitive.
Always apply to hydrated skin. Use a moisturizer first. I recommend Clearology’s Balancing Gel Moisturizer—it prevents flaking without deactivating BPO.
After two weeks, use it every night.
In 4-6 weeks, bump up to 5% or 10%. Alternate with the lower strength for two weeks, then switch to the stronger one nightly.
Stick with the strongest one every night. Full results take about 12 weeks. Keep using it to prevent breakouts.
For dryness, add Clearology’s Peptide Treatment Cream or Balancing Moisturizer.
Mandelic Acid: The Unknown Superstar
Why It’s Better Than Salicylic
After years of using this on my skin and with clients, I can tell you: Mandelic acid beats salicylic for targeting acne’s root cause.
Salicylic acid helps with oil, but oil isn’t the main issue with acne. Acne-prone skin sheds extra dead skin cells daily. They get stuck inside your pores, forming comedones that turn into pimples.
Mandelic acid clears and prevents those sticky cells. No comedones = no acne. Use it daily, and it prevents breakouts before they start.
Make sure it’s L-mandelic acid—D-mandelic doesn’t work. Be sure to check your label.
Bonus: Mandelic is an exfoliant, so it boosts cell turnover for a radiant “mandelic glow.” It’s also anti-aging, fades red marks, dark spots, helps fungal acne, rosacea, and calms inflammation.
How to Use Mandelic Acid
Start with 5% or 8%. Apply every other morning after cleansing.
Follow with a non-clogging moisturizer and sunscreen.
After two weeks, use daily.
In six weeks, increase the strength if needed.
Always wear SPF—mandelic exfoliates, so protect your skin.
The Power Duo: How to Combine Them
Here’s how to combine Mandelic Serum and Benzoyl Peroxide for the best results:
Morning One: Mandelic serum
Night Two: Benzoyl peroxide
Repeat alternating like this for two weeks.
Moisturize well. A hydrated barrier = better results and prevents irritation.
After two weeks: Mandelic every morning, benzoyl every night. Pair with a non-clogging moisturizer.
This routine eases your skin slowly into using strong products, targeting bacteria and inflammation for faster results.
Bonus Tip for Better Results
Want these products to work even better? Keep your skin barrier hydrated.
Start with a hydrating cleanser, like Clearology’s Hydrating Cream Cleanser. Skip the medicated cleansers—they strip your skin and set you up for problems. A moisturized lipid barrier helps your treatment products absorb better, work faster, and prevent irritation.
Bottom Line
Benzoyl peroxide and mandelic acid can work wonders for your acne— as long as you use them the right way.
