A few years ago, I bought a tub of Aztec Clay, because I heard it was great for fighting acne. Every now and then, when I feel like going into detox mode, I pull it off the shelf and mix up a clay mask for myself. If you look at the jar, you’ll see that the marketing copy is reminiscent of Dr. Bronner’s Castille Soap—it’s unapologetically wordy and boastful about itself. The long name for this product is: Aztec Secret: Indian Healing Clay. If you have acne, you’ve…

My acne has significantly improved since I started using Differin 0.1% adapalene gel about a year and a half ago—but I do still get the occasional pimple from time to time. When it’s a pretty big one, I’ve started using something I should have found out about a long time ago: acne spot patches, also known as round-shaped hydrocolloid bandages, cut to a size that fits conveniently over the entire pimple.

I’ve had acne since I was a teenager. Over the years, I’ve tried benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur masks, bentonite clay, you name it. It’s never bothered me enough to go to a dermatologist, but I always wondered if I could benefit from using a prescription-strength product. Then, one day I heard that a formerly prescription-only acne treatment had been approved for over-the-counter use under the brand name Differin. The active ingredient in Differin is a retinoid known…