When I first walked into celebrity esthetician Sarah Akram’s Los Angeles pop up, I immediately started with, “Let me explain.” My skin had taken a turn for the worst after using too many new products and was looking extremely stressed out. This, however, didn’t phase Akram. Instead, she put together a custom treatment for my skin that miraculously made stubborn acne appear ten times reduced and my complexion looking brighter than it had in months. It was one of the best facials I’d ever gotten.

Of course, this led me to begin prodding her with all my questions on treating acne. After all, I knew she had to know a thing or two. Her long list of celebrity clientele speaks for itself—she works with everyone from Vanessa Hudgens, Nina Dobrev, and Mindy Kaling, to Tiffany Haddish and Andie Macdowell. What I loved most about Akram was her custom approach. She fully understands that each person’s skin is different and has unique needs—something I found both refreshing and exciting. If you’re curious what else she had to share with me about treating acne, keep reading below. She shared tips on treating acne at home and her all-time favorite products to clear up breakouts.

Akram often does targeted treatments for her acne-prone clients and customizes them to the client’s specific skin type. It’s great to see an esthetician who specializes in acne or treats your skin individually so you know you’re getting a treatment that’s 100% right for you. “Our Acne Relief Facial at Sarah Akram Skincare begins with a triple step cleanse to ensure we remove all traces of buildup,” she says. “Next, we apply a gentle peel to prep the skin for the extraction process. Then we follow up with extractions which are done gently. Keep in mind, your esthetician may not be able to extract everything during your first visit this is why we recommend multiple treatments to achieve the best result).”

Blue light therapy is a common treatment estheticians use, but Akram suggests keeping a device handy to use at home, too. “We apply blue led light on the bare skin,” she says. “Blue LED light kills bacteria, tightens pores, and heals the skin. After resting under the light for a few minutes, we apply an alginate mask to further calm the skin while also depositing nutrients leaving your feeling clean, calm and refreshed.”

Akram recommends keeping a portable, cordless device like Poly Go’s at home to prevent future breakouts and you can use it as a spot treatment.

Akram says there are four solid types of products those with acne should keep in their skincare rotation. “The four main things to keep in rotation at home are a clarifying cleanser, a good spot treatment (like Biologique Recherche’s Serum Complexe Iribiol), a purifying mask, and purifying moisturizer.” For Akram’s current favorites in this department, keep scrolling below.

“This gel-based cleanser contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil which provides a purifying cleanse to prep the skin.” —Akram

“Lotion P50 1970 is your facial in a bottle! There are different strengths, but this variation is the best for those who are acne-prone (note: this is not a pregnancy safe product). This is your toner which gently purifies and hydrates the skin. This specific version controls sebum and improves the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples.” —Akram

“Masque Vivant contains highly active ingredients such as a yeast extract, apple cider vinegar, and witch hazel extract which work together to rebalance the skin, keeping it clearer and shine free.” —Akram

“This contains active ingredients like bentonite clay, vitamin E, and white clay which work together to purify the skin and tighten pores while mattifying.” —Akram

“Creme Dermopurifante contains rosehip, arnica, and yeast extract which are the active ingredients that work together to rebalance acne-prone skin. The epidermis is purified of blemishes, and the occurrence of new blemishes is drastically reduced.” 

“Once you get the point where your acne begins to clear up and you just have residual traces and pigment left over, CremeIso-Placenta will heal those scars and traces of left over acne. Ingredients such biomimetic placenta, maracuja oil, and vitamin C work together to regenerate and restore the quality of your skin.” —Akram

This fan-favorite spot treatment from La Roche-Posay is formulated with benzoyl peroxide and a micro-exfoliating LHA to smooth skin’s texture.

This mask will help control shine, minimize breakouts, and soothe acne without over drying your skincare. It utilizes a triple clay blend with salicylic acid to minimize and prevent future breakouts.

Cetaphil is a budget-friendly brand derms always swear by. The brand’s purifying clay mask helps deep clean the pores once or twice a week and lifts away dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion.

Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory. Combine it with vitamin C and purifying clay, you have yourself a solid acne-fighting cocktail. 

Featuring zinc, copper, and salicylic acid, this deep cleansing face wash reduces excess oil and removes built up impurities on the skin.

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