My Sephora Sale Skincare Picks - Fall 2024

The acne safe edition.

Oct 31, 2024

This year, I decided to focus my recommendations on acne-safe favorites. You can scour my favorites on shopmy at any time, so I thought it would be most helpful to provide a very curated list. Let me know if you liked this or thought it was helpful!

Makeup will be in separate post coming soon!

What do I mean by acne-safe skincare? This means that they pass Sofie Pavitt’s ingredients checker and contain no potential pore cloggers (PPC’s). If you don’t know what I’m referring to, go watch my Acne Safe highlight on Instagram! Every product that I’ve listed below has been run through her checker, and approved— so it has not been marked with (AS) like you’ve seen in previous posts.

Keep in mind, this isn’t a comprehensive list of every acne safe product at Sephora, just my favorites/ones I recommend!

Sephora Sale Details

November 1-11: 20% off for Rouge

November 5-11: 15% off for VIB and 10% off for Insiders

CODE: SAVINGS

Skincare

First Cleansers:

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser: When it comes to this step in my routine, I like something that is effective, affordable, and an enjoyable experience to use. You get 5oz for $21, and a travel size is just over $10. I always travel with it. It comes in a squeeze tube with a flip cap, which is my personal favorite packaging. Apply on dry skin, work it into your makeup, and it rinses completely clean with no residue.

Milk Makeup Hydro-UnGrip Makeup Remover: this is like a bougie micellar water, and totally not necessary to spend this much on a micellar water. However, this packaging with the pump top is really nice, and I refill it with more affordable options! The product itself does a good job at removing makeup and is sensitive skin/acne safe.

Second Cleansers:

Dieux Baptism: I love that there is a fragrance-free version, as well as a fragranced version. And I personally love the fragrance notes. Fragrance in cleansers is one of the few places I allow it since it washes off, and this formula is like a thick jelly and it foams really nicely— more so than any of my other favorites. This can completely remove makeup too, if you’re someone who prefers to have less products, but I am cheap (lol) so I like to use this as my second cleanse only.

Innbeauty Keep It Clean Hydrating Gel Cleanser: this is a nice thick gel cleanser that has a mild amount of foam. It never makes my skin feel squeaky clean. It has a mild citrusy scent that I enjoy.

Toners:

The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner: affordable yet feels luxe! This is acne safe and great for sensitive skin at a great price point.

Essences:

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Essence: I feel like this is such an underrated product at Sephora and within Caudalie in general. Great for those who want extra brightening and pigment correcting. Don’t let the glycolic acid scare you, there’s very little, and it’s more hydrating than exfoliating. This does have fragrant extracts so avoid if you have rosacea/sensitive skin.

Then I Met You The Giving Essence: there are so few options at Sephora that are both sensitive skin + acne friendly. This one is a really nice lightweight essence that has tons of antioxidants, brighteners and is also plumping!

Mists:

Tower 28 SOS Rescue Facial Spray: this is a classic hypochlorus acid spray that is great for acne, rosacea and exczema as it purifies the skin, while also calming any irritation or flare ups. This is not meant to be used everyday FYI because it can be drying, but great to have on hand and use post-workout until you can shower.

Moisturizers:

Tower 28 SOS Daily Moisturizer: I heard from an industry friend that Sofie actually worked with the brand to create this. It’s a whipped lightweight moisturizer perfect for daytime for those with normal to oily skin. It’s also very sensitive skin-approved.

Tatcha The Water Cream: A very bougie water cream that I also find to be really hydrating, despite its incredible lightweight. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, this does have fragrance.

Innbeauty Extreme Cream: This is a medium-weight cream that is pretty dewy. A lot of people (mostly dry skin types!) love this under makeup, but its a touch too heavy for me in the AM. However, I love this as a PM option. They just launched a mini size which is great because the full size is so large.

Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair: Since this has launched I have not shut up about it being my night time savior for rosacea/redness/sensitivity. It is sensitive skin and acne safe.

Glossier After Baume: If the Tatcha’s out of budget, I feel like this Glossier product is one of their best and flys under the radar. This is a thickity thick balm for those in a cold/dry climate or dry skin.

Sunscreens:

The SPF options for acne prone skin at Sephora (and likely everywhere in the US) are abysmal. My next goal is to put together a list of Asian and European acne safe faves, because this isn’t it. Also, if you haven’t tried this one, which is at Ulta— it’s a nice option that is acne safe!

Summer Fridays Shadedrops SPF 30 Mineral Milk (1 PPC): this is my favorite sunscreen at Sephora for those with acne prone and sensitive skin. It does have 1 PPC, but I think it’s worth pointing out because if the rest of your routine is clear, it’s probably not a big deal to add in one product with 1 PPC. It dries down to a natural, skin-like finish.

Supergoop Unseen is free of PPC’s— although I personally don’t love the texture, I know many are a fan of this one— so I thought it was worth pointing out amongst very few options!

Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Liquid SPF 50: if you can tolerate chemical filters, this is a great option that has no fragrance or fragrant oils. It has a semi-matte finish too, so better for those with normal to oily skin.

Dr. Jart Every Sun Day Fluid SPF 50: this gives you the feel of a Korean sunscreen, but at Sephora pricing. It is a chemical sunscreen, and it does have lavender oil so I don’t recommend it for those with sensitive skin. But it’s a nice lightweight fluid that is easy to blend into the skin and doesn’t feel heavy with a slightly radiant finish, that is quite nice under makeup.

Eye Products:

A note on acne safe eye products— I personally don’t have any issues with milia or breakouts around the eye, so I don’t mind using products with PPC’s in them. My other two favorites at Sephora that contain PPC’s are by Innbeauty and Shani Darden, linked here.

Dieux Auracle Peptide + Antioxidant Gel: you know I love a gel cream for the under eye. There are remarkably few acne-safe products for the eye area and this is a great one. It has a peptide blend and antioxidants within 10% glycerin to deeply hydrate.

Vitamin C/Antioxidant Serums:

First Aid Beauty 10% Vitamin C Serum: This is truly one of the most underrated products at Sephora. This is incredibly gentle because it uses tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is a more gentle vitamin c derivative. This bottle is also 1.7oz instead of the usual 1oz for $50. It’s acne and sensitive skin approved.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum: this is an antioxidant serum/brightening treatment that is great for those who cannot tolerate L-ascorbic acid. However, it does have fragrance, so skip if you’re sensitive.

Retinoids:

The Ordinary Retinal .2% Emulsion: easily one of the best higher strength retinoid products at Sephora. It’s a yellow emulsion that glides on. I’d bump you up to this if you already used retinol consistently with no issues.

Honestly, that’s the only Retinoid I would recommend from Sephora. Here are some of my other favorites, the first five listed are Acne Safe.

Exfoliants:

Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Booster: you know I can’t give up my Anfisa An-Dew serum, but if that one is out of budget, I think it’s worth trying this serum (that’s like a lightweight lotion) to help with redness and congestion, especially if you have rosacea. It does also have salicylic acid, so if your skin can’t tolerate, I’d skip.

Eadem Cashmere Peel: this is a newer product in my routine, as the brand just sent it over within the last two months. However, this is a fantastic product and has become a new favorite for me. It contains a nine percent blend of lactic, azelaic, tranexamic acids to gently exfoliate in a milky texture. It also has panthenol, rice water and colloidal oatmeal to soothe and calm the skin. Great for brightening and exfoliating sensitive skin.

Mara Clear Skin Mineral Milk: this is easily my favorite product of Mara’s. Many of their products have PPC’s, but this one doesn’t. It has 2% salicylic acid. My skin used to tolerate it well, but now is more dry and sensitive. This is a thick milky texture that is very nourishing and balances out the exfoliation so well. Great for sensitive/dry skin types with acne.

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid: a classic for a reason. This is a no frills 2% salicylic acid product for those with normal to oily skin. My skin can no longer tolerate this, but it’s pretty affordable, comes in a mini size and a great option.

Hydrating/Soothing/Calming Serums:

Merit Great Skin Serum: despite having no oils, this is an emulsion where propanediol (which feels like an oil) meets water (hyaluronic acid). Has niacinamide and some antioxidants. This is great for those who have dry skin, or want to layer something heavier over a more lightweight moisturizer. I love the way this looks under makeup, but it’s also lovely at night for extra nourishment.

I honestly haven’t been able to find another serum in this category at Sephora that is acne safe but also isn’t outrageously expensive for what it is. I direct you to my favorites listed here —the first three are Acne Safe, but not at Sephora.

Peptide Serums:

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum: this is a good option for those who want a really affordable peptide formula and hydrating serum in one. When this first launched VERY long ago, I didn’t think it layered well. However, TO has made updates to the textures as technology has advanced and I think their serums lay pretty nicely.

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + 1% Copper Peptide Serum: If I were over 30, I would choose this option over the serum above this. Pricier, but you get the inclusion of copper peptides which help with skin tone, texture, speed up wound healing, rejuvenate the skin. Deciem who owns NIOD and TO owns copper peptide patents and they’re pretty impressive for the price.

Lip Balm/Treatments:

I don’t personally use lip balm outside my lip lines, so I don’t worry about products being Acne Safe in this category. My recs in this category aren’t acne safe, but only have 1-2 PPC’s which is great for lip treatment products!

Of the top two below, Eadem is my pick because it has exfoliation properties and you get more product for the price. However, Ole is better for those that don’t like a super thick balm. Had to include my favorite SPF option too!

Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm: this has peptides, gentle enzymes and lactic acid to gently exfoliate, and Brazilian Açaí and African Mongongo Butters to nourish and protect. They offer clear and many beautiful shades too! This is a very thick formula, but is also glossy and stays in place. (2 PPC’s)

Ole Henricksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment: another peptide lip treatment that is glossy and has some beautiful shades, although sheerer than Eadem. This product does not have any exfoliating properties, but has some nourishing butters and oils. I find this treatment to be less thick, but still doesn’t budge. (1 PPC)

Innbeauty Project Sun Balm SPF 30 - a thinner lip balm product that offers a light pigment that comes in three shades. My personal favorite is pink. This isn’t what I’d reach for if my lips needed serious nourishment, but definitely what I reach for in the sun. (1 PPC)

Is there a product you want me to check for you? Happy to do that— just ask below! Let me know below also, if I also missed an acne-safe favorite of yours!

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