Hello Gorgeous. I hope everyone is enjoying the weather and the change of season’s is treating you well and not wreaking too much havoc on your skin.

I know that sometimes as the weather changes, so does my skin. It causes a few more breakouts then I care for—I thought you might be having the same problems. During my last lovely breakout, I decided it was time to try all the zit-zapping products on the market for every gal’s budget. Five stars is the best rating.

Products under $10.00

These are my least favorite products. They require repeated applications and they were, for the most part, fairly ineffective. If you’re on an extreme budget and the pimples you get aren’t too bad these may work well for you.

• Clean & Clear Advantage Popped Pimple Relief Drying Paste—This product is designed to dry out acne and deep clean the infected pores. $6.49
• Clean & Clear Advantage Popped Pimple Relief Gel—Small and easy for travel this product contains salicylic acid and is designed to target the size and appearance of acne. $6.49

I liked all of these products. They work well enough for the price point but it takes a lot more than one application to see results with all three products.

• Neutrogena 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Gel—Designed to zap your zit with-in 8 hours and help fade the redness and marks left behind by acne. $9.49
• Neutrogena All-in-1 Acne Control Facial Treatment—Designed to clear up acne, reduce the size and redness of current acne. This product also has salicylic acid to help prevent future breakouts. $8.49
• Neutrogena Rapid Clear On-the-Go Acne Treatment Pen—For those really mean pimples that pop up as you’re on the go! Throw this product in your purse and you’re ready for anything, designed to reduce redness and swelling in 4 hours or less or even prevent them from “popping” up in the first place. $9.99

Products between $10-$20

I love this product and have used it in my professional makeup kit for years. I use it when necessary on my clients it goes on great before or after you’ve applied your makeup.

• Benefit Cosmetics “Boo Boo Zap!” Medicated Acne Treatment—This invisible acne treatment is designed to quickly clean and dry out the infected area it also reduces redness and swelling related to breakouts and to boot it’s small and compact so it travels easily. $16

This product really does shrink or completely kill your zit overnight—no joke. I’ve been using this product personally for at least the last four years and I make sure I never run out. And it’s at a budget friendly price. The only problem I find is that you can’t use it during the day due to the pigment of the product.

• Mario Badescu Skincare “Drying Lotion”—This miracle overnight spot treatment has salicylic acid, camphor and calamine as some of its main ingredients and is designed to shrink or “ZAP” that zit overnight. Don’t forget not to shake this product, you simply dip a Q-tip into the jar and you’re good to go!! $17

Products for $20 or more

I really enjoy this product for myself and my professional makeup kit. Over time I did see a reduction of the pores on my cheeks and for HD ready skin, use this product as a base under any foundation and you will find it is amazing for print and film.

• Benefit Cosmetics “The POREfessional” treatment—This pro balm reduces fine lines and pores for amazingly smooth skin. The vitamin E helps prevent breakouts and your skin fight free radicals. $29.00

This treatment is amazing and works very well if you have sensitive skin. However, the tint of the product is extremely orange and I find it does not match anyone’s skin tone so I do have to mix it with a lighter concealer.

• Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment—This product is Benzoyl Peroxide free and instead contains Sulfur & Zinc Oxide for sensitive skin. The natural tint is ideal for covering pesky daytime breakouts. $25.00

This product is worth the money if you can work it into you’re budget and find yourself in need of a miracle anti-shine product I highly recommend this product. I keep this in my professional makeup kit and love the amazing finish it gives the skin of my clients with more oily skin types.

• Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier—This amazing product is designed to clear skin, reduce breakouts, control shine and smooth skin texture by inhibiting the activity of oil glands and taking the shine out of your complexion. $43.00

Arianne the Artist has been a licensed esthetician, manicurist and makeup artist for the last 13 years, spending the last 9 years in Los Angeles working as a freelance makeup artist. She is currently working in film, TV, fashion, editorial, weddings and she works for MAC Cosmetics as a freelance artist. www.ariannetheartist.com