I've tried so many clean beauty products to clear up acne and soothe breakout-prone skin, and there is only one standout brand that I come back to every time. Here is my honest review of True Botanicals Clear Skincare Line.
If you struggle with oily skin, breakouts, and acne, especially as an adult (ugh!), I understand the frustration. Problem skin is stressful, and stress seems to make it worse. Even in my adult years, I've struggled to keep my skin clear through pregnancies, breastfeeding, and the resulting hormonal shifts. It seems I've tried all the natural skincare products targeting oily and breakout prone skin, with mostly disappointing results. But there is one line of clean skincare products that I return to over and over again. It is the absolute best routine I've found for clearing up and nourishing my combo/oily problem skin: True Botanicals.
In This Article
What Is The Best Skincare Routine for Oily or Breakout Prone Skin?
While all skin is unique and the same routine won't work for everyone, there is a general routine that performs well for those with oily, breakout-prone, or combination-oily skin. It should follow these steps, morning and night:
- Cleanse - Use a cleanser aimed at gently clearing up skin. If your cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight, it might be too harsh and could cause your skin to produce more oil. Use a soft washcloth to gently exfoliate.
- Tone - Use a liquid exfoliating toner that doesn't strip skin; something with gentle exfoliators, such as willow bark extract, or even AHAs or glycolic acid, on a cotton pad.
- Treat - This is where you'll use a serum or treatment aimed at clearing and/or exfoliating skin. A serum or spot treatment with salicylic acid can help with blemishes, while a serum with retinol or a retinol alternative in the evening can help with skin resurfacing.
- Moisturize - Even if you have oily skin, you still need a moisturizer! Especially if your cleanser or other products are too harsh, stripping or drying your skin can lead your skin to produce excess oil, which will clog pores more. Look for a lightweight moisturizer formulated for oily or blemish-prone skin. While some derms will recommend an oil-free moisturizer, I've found that a skin oil is actually the best lightweight moisturizer (you just have to use the right kind!).
In the mornings, be sure to follow your moisturizer with SPF! And once or twice a week, you may choose to include an exfoliating mask (this one is my favorite!) or a clearing mask.
Why Clean Skincare Products Matter For Breakout Prone Skin
Clean, nourishing ingredients in your skincare is especially important if you have acne-prone skin, because anything too harsh can irritate skin even more. You want to avoid stripping skin with alcohols or peroxides. You also don't want synthetic fragrances or other ingredients irritating your skin. This is especially true if you have hormonal acne!
Other ingredients in traditional cleansers and lotions, such as Parabens, Phthalates, SLS/SLES, and BHT have been linked not only to skin irritation, but to increased risk of cancers and endocrine disruption. Not what we want to be putting on our skin every day! That why I choose to use the cleanest skincare products I can. (They also tend to be more gentle and effective!)
This set does it all – helps to prevent blemishes, moisturize and balance the skin, and fight signs of aging to reveal your most glowy, confident skin yet. The BEST skincare I've found to clear up oily, blemish-prone skin!
Meet The Products: True Botanicals Clear Skincare Line
What It Is: Clean, natural-biocompatible skincare for oily skin that actually works to help clear breakouts and blemishes while also fighting signs of aging. The line includes award winning Clear Nourishing Cleanser, Clear Nutrient Toner, and Clear Pure Radiance Oil. Optional (but highly effective) add-ons include the Vitamin C Booster, Nightly Repair Treatment, and Resurfacing Moisture Mask.
What It Claims: Our "non-drying, hypoallergenic, balancing facial cleanser goes to work on congested skin leaving the skin clean and hydrated. This toner helps to balance sebum production, gently exfoliate dead skin cells, and fight bad bacteria without stripping the good bacteria on the surface of the skin. Our award-winning Clear Pure Radiance Oil helps to prevent breakouts, fights signs of aging, and balances oily skin as it gets to the root of the problem - repairing and strengthening the skin barrier for your smoothest, clearest, most gorgeous skin yet." - True Botanicals Website
True Botanicals Clear Cleanser, Toner and Oil: My Honest Review
Ingredients: 10/10
All True Botanicals are MADE SAFE® certified, the most comprehensive safety standard available. They are also cruelty-free and GMO free. All products are thoughtfully formulated not only with safe ingredients but highly powerful, effective ingredients that truly nourish and work with not against skin.
Experience: 10/10
I'm obsessed with the experience of ALL True Botanicals products. I've been a fan for years because of the luxurious glass packaging, scents, and high and feel of each and every product. The clear line features natural, floral notes of helichrysum, lavender, and carrot seed that feels sophisticated yet grounding. It's just a joy to use.
Performance: 9/10
I'm not sure anything will clear up my hormonal breakouts completely, but this line of products is the closest I've come in over 5 years. Even through problematic pregnancy skin, this cleanser, toner, and oil has helped me maintain a confident, glowy complexion with minimal breakouts. My face feels truly healthy and smooth, and hydrated, unlike with other products. Every time I switch up my routine, I notice a difference and end up coming back to True Botanicals. Seriously, every time.
Value: 7/10
The biggest downside to True Botanicals is the cost. It is more expensive than most facial products out there. However, for something that is safe and truly works, I'm willing to pay a premium. The products are very concentrated, so I find that they last a good bit. You can subscribe to save a little money, and they also have sales every few months, so that's when I stock up!
Overall: 9.5/10
Overall Impressions
This is most certainly not your teenager's acne routine. As I stated, I've been a big fan of True Botanicals for years. I truly haven't found a better skin care line for my oily, breakout-prone (and as I get older, more combo-oily) adult skin. This combination of cleanser, toner, and oil always leaves me with nourished, clear, skin that I feel better about showing off without makeup. Any time I try something else, I regret it and come back to this trusty routine. It's luxurious and a little expensive, but it's a splurge I'm willing to make.
Buy It: True Botanicals Clear Nourishing Cleanser, Nutrient Toner & Pure Radiance Oil
There are several products available under the Clear line, so it can be a little confusing. The classic routine is the Cleanser, Toner and Oil. If you can, I suggest adding the Vitamin C Booster (with or without the Chebula Serum) and the Resurfacing Moisture Mask if you really want to tackle breakouts and scars or dark spots to reveal extra glowy skin. If you don't want to go all-in just yet, I recommend for sure getting the Cleanser and Oil to start.
The Reviewer: Kaleigh | Age: 30s | Skin Type: Oily/Combo | Concern: Breakouts
