While it’s true that sometime treating acne requires a visit to the doctor or the acne aisle of the drugstore, it is one hundred percent possible to fight those cursed zits gently and naturally. Seriously. I have been slowly adding natural and organic skincare products to my routine and my stash and my skin has been happier for it. Imagine finding away to fight acne by not fighting your skin, but helping your skin.

I first read about Juice Beauty Organic Blemish Clearing Serum on Twitter this summer, when a beauty editor Tweeted how it was saving his skin during the hot and sweaty New York summer. I’d been curious about the brand for awhile, and their recent collaboration with Gwyneth Paltrow and GOOP had them all over my beauty feeds. I’ve been using the Blemish Clearing Serum, the STEM CELLULAR Exfoliating Peel Spray and the STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Overnight Cream  (both are amazing, more on these in an upcoming post). This is what it does, and what’s in it:

Reduces breakouts & clears clogged pores with beta hydroxy salicylic acid and naturally derived willow bark.
Evens skin tone and texture with organic lemon & apple fruit acids.
Helps renew the skin with Vitamin C.
Fights free radicals with antioxidant Vitamins B5 & E.
Creates a smoother looking appearance with CoQ10.
Hydrates & soothes with organic aloe and green & white tea.

I’ve fallen in love with the Blemish Clearing Serum and cannot imagine being without it. I love using organic and natural skincare that is effective and gentle. It is an integral part of my skincare routine and I use twice a day, under any lotions and creams I’m using.  It feels gentle and soothing on the skin, keeps oil at bay, and has so far prevented blemishes beautifully. There have been one or two little pimples but no cystic bumps or nasty lingering infected bumps. My skin feels soft and smooth, and Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum has earned a permanent place in my skincare routine. Actually, I panic a bit at the thought of running out of it.

Eminence Organics Clear Skin Targeted Treatment is amazing and another must-have for acne sufferers. I use a few drops of the Clear Skin Targeted Treatment on my t-zone after cleansing in the morning and at night. I let it sink it before applying any other skincare. It disappears right into the skin and my pores have never been happier. It has a prominent tea tree oil fragrance immediately upon application, but it’s gone completely after a few minutes. It leaves a seamless almost imperceptible finish on the skin. Nothing but clear, smooth and happy skin.

Tea Tree Oil: An essential oil. Microencapsulation provides sustained-release delivery to control oily skin all day
Salicylic Acid (from Willow Bark): A gentle exfoliant that reduces pores and smooths the surface of the skin
Buchu Leaf Extract: Derived from a plant native to Africa, the extract mattifies skin and reduces pores
Cucumber: Revitalizes, tones and shrinks pores while refreshing the look of the skin.

Prim Botanicals Serum No 1 is a detoxifying skin oil that is serious about balancing your skin while removing impurities. I love every single product I’ve tried from Prim (read more here ) and this oil is the same. It does what it says it will do, and does it gently and naturally. It has three simple ingredients:

Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin Seed Oil, organic)
Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu Oil)
Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn Oil)

It has a rather intense cumin-y smell and is quite orange when it’s first applied, but both the scent and the colour  fade soon after application. My skin has no reaction at all when I apply it – as in there is no burning or tingling. It actually doesn’t feel like anything, which is why I think they put some magic in there too. I do still get the occasional pimple come up, if I’d had too much chocolate or sugar for example, or if I react to a product that clogs my pores. Serum No 1 makes quick work of those zits, overnight. It stops it from growing, and if I use it for a couple days in a row, the pimple disappears.

It balances oil production as well, and I should probably use it more often for preventative reasons. My t zone gets oily, but my chin goes bananas (hormones!) and a few drops of this oil on slightly damp skin before any other products keeps oil at bay like nothing I’ve used before. Another permanent addition to collection of potions!

Osmia Organics Spot Treatment is a must-have for anyone who gets breakouts. It’s a handy-dandy little bottle of magic with a roller ball applicator, making it perfect for tossing into your purse for on the go treatment. I’ve written about it here.  The minute you apply Osmia Spot Treatment you get instant relief, and swelling in the offending area starts to decrease. It feels soothing, and, unlike some drugstore alternatives that contain benzoyl peroxide and sulphur, does not cause drying and irritation to the skin*. This is a must-have for anyone who suffers from break outs. Take it with you wherever you go and fight zits the natural way!

Odacite Black Cumin & Cajeput Serum Concentrate is part of the Odacité collection of concentrates that are designed to be incorporated into your existing skincare routine. They are highly refined, tested and full of natural science and goodness and they work. The Black Cumin Concentrate (what I call it for the sake of brevity) kills inflammation almost upon contact. I find for me it works best as a spot treatment, but it is also perfect for adding a drop or two to your current skincare routine.

Formulated to absorb deep into pores, this active serum helps to achieve blemish-free skin and smooth the complexion
The purifying properties of Black Cumin oil control the spread of breakout-causing bacteria.
Therapeutic Cajeput acts at the source of the problem with potent antiseptic properties, helping to prevent further pimple eruption.

Skinny & Co Coconut Facial Oil is my favourite pre-cleanser, hand’s down. I wrote more about it here and seriously cannot overstate how important this product is to me and my reactive skin. I love the way it feels on my skin and how soft and soothing it smells. I massage a tiny amount into my face and it dissolves my makeup quickly and gently. They have a proprietary formula that makes Skinny & Co Facial Oil different from just using plain coconut oil. Lavender and chamomile, along with their beautiful raw oil, soothes and purifies skin. I use it as a spot treatment as well. After cleansing, I like to use a small amount on my t zone. It never dries skin, and leaves it soft, clean and happy afterwards. I would suggest anyone with acne who wants to use coconut oil in their facial skincare routine try Skinny & Co Facial Coconut Oil. Their regular Coconut Oil and Peppermint Oil are sold at Sephora now!

*I’m not knocking those medications because sometimes serious acne needs serious help, and I use them too. But, if you are experiencing chronic acne that is leaving scars and marks, you may need to see your doctor.