Your morning and night routine.
Every step is backed by published research, and every product links to where you can buy it.
Pregnancy-safe filter is on. Retinoids, hydroquinone, bakuchiol, high-% salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are excluded from this routine.
This routine is built to gently resurface the top layer so skin feels smoother to the touch, control excess oil and refine pore size with targeted actives, and to clear clogged pores and calm the bacteria behind breakouts. Each step works toward one of those goals.
Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.
Give it about 8 weeks before you decide if it's working. That's how long the research says your skin needs to show real change for what you picked. Why.
Everything in this routine
7 products
$6.00Amazon
$5.00Amazon
$20.00Amazon
SerumNard Tea Tree Serum$10.00Amazon
$5.19Amazon
Sun protectionEltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 46$47.00Amazon
TreatmentSKIN1004 Spot Cover Patch$1.99Amazon
Prices are approximate. Browse all products · Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.
- 1Cleanser✦ Best matchGood match
St IvesCleansing Stick Rose Water And BambooFair evidenceTargets your acne. Fair evidence, Lauric Acid a fatty acid from coconut oil with striking antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria.
Built to clear breakouts.
Alternatives
GentlerGood evidencePacificaFuture Youth Foaming Cleansing GelCalmer formula for reactive skin.
$14Amazon↗ - 2Toner✦ Best matchGood match
T.N. Dickinson'sWitch Hazel Alcohol-free Moisturizing AstringentFair evidenceTargets your acne. Fair evidence, Witch Hazel a botanical astringent backed by real anti-inflammatory evidence.
Built to clear breakouts.
Alternatives
- 3Essence1 active · 7 citations✦ Best matchGood match
IsntreeChestnut AHA 8% Clear EssenceExcellent evidenceHyaluronic AcidTargets your uneven texture. Excellent evidence, Glycolic Acid exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness.
Built to smooth texture.
Alternatives1/2
GentlerExcellent evidenceAPLBGlutathione Niacinamide Mist EssenceCalmer formula for reactive skin.
$15Amazon↗ - 4Serum6 actives · 41 citations✦ Best matchExcellent match
NardTea Tree SerumGood evidencePHAAllantoinNiacinamideTargets your uneven texture and acne. Good evidence, Centella Asiatica also called "cica," it calms redness, repairs the skin barrier, and speeds up recovery.
Built to smooth texture.
Alternatives1/2
GentlerExcellent evidenceLove PotionTeatree Oil Vitamin C Glow Serum SignatureCalmer formula for reactive skin.
$40Amazon↗ - 5Moisturizer✦ Best matchGood match
SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream MiniExcellent evidenceTargets your uneven texture. Excellent evidence, Ceramides refills the natural barrier between your skin cells.
Built to smooth texture.
Alternatives
- 6SPF✦ Best matchExcellent match
EltaMDUV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 46Excellent evidenceTargets your uneven texture, large pores and acne. Excellent evidence, Niacinamide a multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out.
Built to smooth texture.
Alternatives1/2
GentlerGood evidenced'albaPiedmont Italian White Truffle Waterfull Mild Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++Calmer formula for reactive skin.
$30.15Amazon↗
What to expect
Week 1
Smoother texture to the touch
Week 4
Visible improvement in skin surface
Week 12
Noticeably refined texture and more even tone
How we pick these Ranked by peer-reviewed evidence, not sponsorship.
Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.