This TikTok-Viral Moisturizer Helped Clear My Acne in Weeks

The first time I ever got wind of the SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream ($72), I was scrolling TikTok late at night with a huge cluster of acne on the right side of my face. What immediately got my attention was user Blake Evin talking about how she had been using "circumcisions" on her face every day for a year, and she "swore" it cured her acne. (The "circumcisions" she was referring to are actually human growth factors, a main ingredient in the product.) Evin said she had been on Accutane three times and had tried other oral acne medications, but an aesthetician recommended the product to her. Since using it, her acne has completely cleared up.

SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream

From

$72

$72 at skinmedica.com

I've been on oral medication for my acne for years, but in April, I started experiencing intense breakouts on my cheeks and neck that lasted for weeks. I visited multiple dermatologists (whose only suggestion was to put me on antibiotics), swapped out almost every skin-care product I owned, and when nothing worked, I mostly just sat in my bed and felt sorry for myself.

Thinking it couldn't hurt to give the moisturizer a try, I quickly got my hands on a few bottles and began testing it out. I've been using it for about three months now, and it's safe to say it's helped improve my acne immensely. Keep scrolling to read my full review.

The consistency is on the thicker side — certainly a lot thicker than moisturizers I typically use, mostly because I've found in the past that thick products tend to break me out. However, it's creamy, it's easily spreadable, and it doesn't feel sticky. It's rich, and it helps get rid of dry patches I typically experience around my nose.

It's helped cut down on redness, and since using it, I haven't had any issues with intense breakouts along my cheeks, chin, or neck. I still occasionally get a few pimples around my period, but other than that, my skin has been doing extremely well. I'm obviously obsessed with the fact that this product helped clear up my acne. I think what I had going on was a mixture of hormones, a damaged skin barrier, and stress from dating someone who was so not right for me.

If you're using this moisturizer as part of a daily routine, the brand says it can be used as many times as you want throughout the day. However, it suggests applying it twice daily after cleansing, toning, and using any other treatment products. Apply it over your entire face, including your neck and chest but it suggests avoiding contact with your eyes.

This product is also often given to patients to use after facial treatments and procedures, and the brand says if that's the case, you should consult with your physician. However, it's generally OK to use it morning and night.

I use this product twice a day: in the morning after cleansing and at night before heading to bed. I have noticed if I get it in my eyes it does sting a bit, so I try to avoid that area.

While this product isn't the most expensive moisturizer I've tried, at $72, it isn't cheap. But as they say, neither are you. Personally, after going through so much back and forth with my skin, I'm happy to have found a product that has helped immensely, not only with my acne but with my dryness, as well.

The SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream is available directly on the brand's website, Dermstore, and Amazon.

Rating:
★★★★★

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.