Perfectly clear, healthy, radiant skin is to beauty what a vintage Chanel 2.55 quilted bag is to fashion, or Oliver Peoples sunglasses are to eyewear—always beautiful, always a classic. Unfortunately, a flawless face can be just as elusive, and expensive, as finding and funding that coveted handbag (after all, not all of us look like the gorgeous model, Chanel Iman, shown here). In our perennial pursuit of the former, we’ve come across some amazing products to heal, and in some cases conceal, our faces. If you’ve ever brawled with blemishes, read on for the current weapons in our arsenal.
- Patricia Wexler M.D. Acne Spot Treatment with Acnestat, $15, bathandbodyworks.com
New York skin-guru dermatologist Patricia Wexler recently launched her new Acnescription line to help those suffering from the twin evils of adult acne and aging. We’re obsessed with the Acne Spot Treatment with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide. Unlike earlier generation BP products (think Oxy-10), Wexler’s zit zapper doesn’t dry out surround skin and it never leaves any visible residue behind.
- Bobbi Brown Blemish Cover Stick, $20, sephora.com
The conundrum of blemishes is annoying. You want to cover them up, but most concealers contain mineral oil which in turn clog pores and lead to more bumps. Bobbi Brown’s Blemish Cover Stick is a happy solution. It’s oil-free and contains clay (to absorb oil) and Licorice Root extract (to soothe redness). The super creamy formula hides your flaking spots while they heal.
- Santa Maria Novella Purifying Face Lotion, $45, lafcony.com
We have no idea why this Santa Maria Novella stuff works, but it’s amazing. On a friend’s recommendation, we applied it to some lurking cystic pimples and oddly enough the zits shrank away before getting any worse. The Purifying Face Lotion contains heaps of herbal goodness like sage, echinacea, and burdock extract and is best applied to skin after cleaning one’s face.
- Decleor Aroma Purete Double Action Tinted Concealer, $34, nordstrom.com
The aromatherapy experts of Decleor Paris created their Double Action Tinted Concealer to the delight of spotty ladies worldwide. Naturally it’s free of skin-clogging mineral oils, and you can apply it either over makeup or after moisturizing.
- N.V. Perricone M.D. Pore Refining Concealer $35, sephora.com
While the “father of anti-inflammatory” espouses holistic healing of the skin through nutrients, his concealer is a beauty editor favorite. The neutral-tinted base coupled with his signature anti-inflammatories is best for minor breakouts.
