Kelly Driscoll has reviewed a lot of acne-focused skincare, and her approval rate of 78% across more than 40 products shows she approves most of what she tests. But she does not hold back when something misses. Her few skips each come with a clear reason, which makes them just as useful as her approvals.
What does Kelly Driscoll recommend for acne-prone skin?
Kelly tends to praise products that do more than one job at once. She loves azelaic acid for that reason: it calms redness, fades dark marks, and helps with breakouts all in one step. She also rates exfoliants that work without being harsh. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant earned her approval for cutting through congestion and texture reliably. She picked out Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution as one of her category winners, calling it a value no-brainer at $23 for 226 ml. She also reaches for Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm when skin is raw or open after a breakout, saying it speeds up healing and helps stop dark marks from forming.
Kelly Driscoll's acne picks, in her words
"The Merit Complexion Stick in Oak is like a cross [...] between a skin tint and a concealer. It does not have full foundation [...] coverage, but it [...] evens out discoloration and redness while letting your natural skin shine through. I have been testing it without a primer and I am not getting any creasing, caking or splitting, so skipping a layer is nice for summer."
"It's a leave-on essence rather than a wash-off mask, [...] so with my sensitive skin I use it once a week and still get smoother, brighter, more radiant skin, plus the enzymes help decongest. I've actually been using this for about a year now and I really love the results. [...] Because it's a bigger, [...] more affordable bottle, I also use it [...] on my body, my back and even as a big part of my foot care routine. Value-wise it's kind of a no-brainer."
"Azelaic acid has anti-inflammatory benefits and it's an ingredient that's used to help with rosacea prone skin, but it also has a brightening effect for hyperpigmentation too, so it's really hitting a lot of the things we're talking about in one ingredient."
"Paula's Choice has a really good one"
"I have been using it in the winter and as I shared with you in my March favorites, I've been using it over the last couple of months to help prevent breakouts from sweating. My skin can sometimes get very irritated when I sweat a lot from my workouts. I'll use this spray before I work out, I'll sometimes spray it right after, or I sometimes build it into my routine right after my shower from working out. [...] It's not a toner. It's not an essence."
"I've been on a Hero pimple patch kick lately. They're really easy to buy, like at Target or wherever, and I just like the accessibility. I know they're a little more expensive than K-beauty brands are. They're hydrocolloid patches, and they suck up the juice from your pimples. [...] The original is pretty standard: thick hydrocolloid circles."
How many products has Kelly Driscoll reviewed for acne-prone skin?
Kelly Driscoll has reviewed 37 products for acne-prone skin, for an approval rate of 78%. 29 approved, 5 mixed, and 3 skipped.
What has Kelly Driscoll skipped for acne-prone skin?
Kelly skipped the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil because the fragrance irritated her skin and left her with breakouts in unusual spots. She passed on The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution too, calling 30% AHA a very high amount that has burned her own skin even when she was careful. She also worries it gets misused by people who do not need it. The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream she set aside over a packaging issue: the delivery system is a cream mist, and she felt that actually stops the product working the way you would want it to.
"I remember using the Proactive three-step system. My mom would buy it for me. [...] I remember staining all the towels in our house with the benzoyl peroxide, you know, spot treatments and face washes and all of that."
"30% is a lot. I have absolutely used this and I have absolutely irritated and burned my skin when using this, even with caution. [...] It's a very potent AHA product. [...] There was a lot of misinformation about what it can do and who it's suitable for, and I do still feel like there is a lot of that going around. [...] It's a very, very potent amount of AHA that can definitely address texture and dull skin, but it needs to be approached with caution and with respect."
"I'm just really not impressed by it that much. [...] I don't feel that this product falls into that at all. I think there's a very specific type of person that will be really thrilled with this product and I will be honest with you I am not that person. [...] My skin type does not jive with this product at all. [...] I do have combination skin so I do produce a little bit more oil in my T-Zone area and then my U Zone area is more dry and prone to dehydration."
What should you take from Kelly Driscoll's picks?
Kelly's record shows she is broadly positive about acne-focused skincare, but she rewards simple, multi-tasking ingredients over anything that asks a lot of the skin. Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution is among her flagged winners, and her skips give a clear warning about anything high-strength or fragranced.
Watch Kelly Driscoll say it
Every verdict here comes from a video. These are the moments themselves, each one jumping straight to the bit about that product.
- Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing CreamNamed a winnerWatch at 6:22
- Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating SolutionNamed a winnerWatch at 7:18
- Proactiv Solution (Three-Step System)Skipped itWatch at 5:08
- The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling SolutionSkipped itWatch at 2:37
- Dr. Althea 345 Relief CreamSkipped itWatch at 6:13
- Merit Minimalist Perfecting Complexion StickRated itWatch at 12:10
- The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%Rated itWatch at 4:33
- Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid BoosterRated itWatch at 4:36
- Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial SprayRated itWatch at 13:30
- Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch OriginalRated itWatch at 24:50
- PanOxyl 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Cleansing WashRated itWatch at 17:16
- Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Soothing CreamRated itWatch at 12:15
- Numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++Rated itWatch at 10:04
- Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA and AHA Salicylic SerumRated itWatch at 23:30
- COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment TonerRated itWatch at 22:12
- First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face CleanserRated itWatch at 11:38
- VT Garlic Reedle ShotRated itWatch at 17:23
- COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light CreamRated itWatch at 15:29
- YSL Touche Éclat ConcealerRated itWatch at 21:01
- Torriden Balanceful SEA Calming SerumRated itWatch at 16:27
- The INKEY List Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple PatchesRated itWatch at 18:43
- By Wishtrend Propolis Energy Boosting EssenceRated itWatch at 0:56
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning SolutionRated itWatch at 19:03
- Lanz Waterbank Aqua Facial Serum with BHA and AHARated itWatch at 9:36
About this expert
See everything Kelly Driscoll has reviewed
Expert rankings
Related guides
This guide reflects what Kelly Driscoll said across her videos about 37 products for acne-prone skin, aggregated by The Guru Index. Sponsored takes are excluded. The approval rate is the share of these products she approved. It is general information, not medical advice.