Since we’re both in our 30s and hoping to start a family in the near future, I’ve started looking for beauty products that are paraben-free. Thankfully, it’s getting easier to spot these products. However, because my skin never got the memo that it’s no longer a 12 year old, I’m still battling acne. So now, I’m also looking for paraben-free beauty products for acne-prone skin.
This acne is different than teenage acne, as it’s now concentrating along my jawline. Sometimes it’s painful, deep and cystic-like. No amount of make-up will cover bumps along your jawline, and whenever I see really bad flare-ups, my inclination is to avoid pore-clogging products altogether. Sadly, many ‘non-comedogenic’ products clog my pores.
When I was a teenager I relied on Accutane for a year, and if you’ve ever read up on it, you’ll know that it’s actually a dangerous drug that can induce depression and severe birth defects among other things. Definitely not what I’m going for right now. My acne arsenal also included other prescribed medicine by dermatologists that didn’t always do the trick.
There’s so much conflicting information out there about parabens. Some say they’re harmless and they’re naturally found in fruits; others say that they mimic estrogen and lead to breast cancer1. I’m sure there are tons more chemicals that really shouldn’t be in our bodies, especially if we want to start a family in the near future, but for now I’m trying to eliminate parabens. Note: I am not an expert and I am simply sharing what I have been using thus far.
9 Paraben-Free Beauty Products for Acne-Prone Skin
1. Purpose Facial Cleanser
2. Dickinson’s Oil Controlling Astringent
3. Yes to Grapefruit Dark Spot Correcting Serum
4. Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick
5. Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix
6. Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15
7. bareMinerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation
8. Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes
9. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
I have been using all of these products in my daily routine for the past several weeks and I’ve noticed a reduction in my acne. However, it wasn’t until I added the Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix that I noticed faster results. My skin has always responded better to benzoyl peroxide than salicylic acid.
I first used the Murad oil-control mattifier several years ago from a sample at Ulta. I fell in love with the formula, and it really does help keep my oiliness at bay. It’s important to have sunscreen on your skin if you’re using all of these treatments on your skin. You’re at a higher risk for sunburns. I stopped buying it at beauty stores because of the price, but now that I’ve realized it’s paraben-free AND found it for less on Amazon, I will always have this in my beauty bag.
I’ve been using the bare Escentuals BareSkin liquid mineral foundation for the past several months and I am in love!
Honorable mentions:
- Nadine talks about the wonders of argan oil on her dry skin. My skin is on the oily side, so I’m a little hesitant to try this out, but it should work wonders for those with dry to normal skin.
- From the makers of Yes to Cucumbers, Yes To Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Towelettes has salicylic acid in it. Because I am already using products with salicylic acid in them, I did not include this product in my main list, but it would be a great product to toss in your gym bag!
- Ruth + Genker recently came out with an updated formula of their famous acne-line: Proactive+. I had success with Proactive as a teenager, and I just picked up a kit in the mall kiosk this week. I’ll let you know how this fares out. (Crossing my fingers here!).
- Megan shares the pregnancy-safe beauty products in her arsenal.
What paraben-free products have you used on your skin?
Source: 1 Parabens
What Happened to My Skin When I Went Dairy-Free
My Signature Facial & Peel Experience at LASH Jax
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The Microdermabrasion Tool You Need
Marielle says
I’ve read some stuff about benzoyl peroxide causing tumors in mice and not being recommended for pregnant women to use. . .a natural alternative is tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil. I use Burt’s Bees, Lush, and Alba. I like Thayer’s toners, but I’m usually too lazy to use them. When I was in college, I tried Proactiv, but looking back, I think it wasn’t good for my skin and possibly contributed to my acne nightmare while I was living abroad.
Lisette says
Thanks for your input, Marielle! I think I remember someone recommending against benzoyl peroxide during pregnancy. I’ll definitely stop using it when we get closer to trying to start a family, but unfortunately that’s what my skin responds the best to!
I listed Burt’s Bees blemish stick up there (which my husband loves!) but it doesn’t do quite enough for my skin.
Thanks for recommending Lush and Alba Botanicals. They will definitely be on my shopping list once we’re ready :)
jackie says
i’m working on using products that are more natural too so these are great tips. i don’t break out super often, but when i do they are crazy monster zits grr. so i will check this list when the next monster zit attacks. i’ve been using a murad dark spot corrector so that spot treatment sounds great!
Krystal @ Krystal's Korner says
I swear by Murad’s anti-aging acne line. It’s amazing for my adult acne I couldn’t get rid of for years. The spot corrector is the first thing that has ever actually worked.
Meg O. says
Thank you so much for the shout out!! That acne you’re experiencing along the jaw line – the painful, deep stuff – I totally feel you. Luckily I haven’t had it lately but I HIGHLY recommend you check out the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion. It is seriously THE BOMB for cystic acne. No parabens, either. I used it all the time when I was pregnant with Kennedy because that pregnancy made me break out like crazy!!
Trish says
I hear ya on skin issues. I as well was on accutane when I was in college. It was tough (yet worked amazingly!). I won’t miss having to take pregnancy tests to get medicine, though. Thanks for putting together this great list. I have actually thought about this before, skin care while pregnant. So this post was just what I needed. I’m sure my skin will be terrible when I’m pregnant…but that will be ok.
Cassidy says
I love to use St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub to wash my face. It’s paraben free and has never caused a headache and always has my pores feeling cleansed and open. When I used it daily, I had perfect skin. Parabens and other artificial cosmetics cause me dreadful headaches and migraines.
Lani says
I’ve been thinking about getting the bare skin brightening serum burin not sure how it would react to my skin see and how I have pretty oily skin and acne. Anyone know if it’s a good product to buy for oily skin??
Holly says
My oldest son had excema sooo bad. We tried EVERYTHING including prescriptions and dermatologist. All products just treated the break out but didn’t actually attack the source of the problem. It wasn’t until we switched to paraben free that it cleared out. We have had very small breakouts but no flare ups since! I refuse to use any products with parabens for any of us now!