This post is brought to you in partnership with Johnson & Johnson and Rite Aid. All opinions are my own.

Now that Summer is nearly over, and folks are going back to school or work, it’s a great time to renew our skin for Fall. Because beauty and wellness go hand-in-hand, having an effective skincare regimen and taking a proactive approach to detoxing our skin not only makes us look better, it also boosts our self-confidence.

As a long-time skincare devotee, for the past 20 years, I’ve tried all types of products and have learned extensively about the most effective and powerful skincare ingredients that we need to prevent and treat breakouts. Whether you’re 20 or 40, breakouts can happen at any age. From stress-induced breakouts to blemishes resulting from hormonal cycles or poor diets, acne is often one of the most common (and embarrassing) skincare problems to have.

Having dealt with acne flare-ups since my teens, I now know which types of skincare products to use to treat and prevent breakouts. To help you look your best this Fall (whether you’re starting a new job or earning your degree), in collaboration with Rite Aid, today’s skincare guide shares 3 simple steps to treating and preventing breakouts.

Step 1: Cleanse Skin Each Morning

To revitalize and brighten your skin, start your day by using an oil-free face cleanser (such as Clean & Clear® Cleansers Morning Burst® Facial Cleanser) containing Vitamin C and Ginseng. Vitamin C is a natural skin brightener, so it helps to lighten any sun spots or hyperpigmentation (caused by acne). Plus, Ginseng helps to energize your skin, giving you a refreshed, awake appearance.

By cleansing your skin, you remove any traces of dirt, oil, or impurities. In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, drinking lots of water, and getting a good night’s sleep, one of the main keys to preventing breakouts is to keep your pores clean and clear of toxins. That’s why cleansing your skin each day is a must.

Step 2: Exfoliate Regularly

Our skin undergoes a natural shedding process, which is referred to a cellular renewal. To help reveal healthy, radiant skin, it’s imperative that we exfoliate regularly by using a purifying scrub (such as Neutrogena® Deep Clean Purifying Cooling Gel Scrub). This sloughs away dead skin cells (which can cause acne due to blocking sebum in the pores), while drawing out trapped dirt, oil, and makeup.

To help prevent and treat breakouts, the process of exfoliating encourages your body to naturally increase new cell production. In addition, since this particular product contains salicylic acid (which is a powerful anti-acne ingredient that unclogs pores), it makes it especially effective at preventing and treating breakouts.

Step 3: Remove Makeup Nightly

After a long day at work or school, we’re often so exhausted that we’re more apt to hop into bed without washing our face. But, this is one of the fastest ways to cause breakouts. During our sleep, our skin cells undergo a natural rejuvenation process, which is why we must make sure to go to bed with clean skin if we hope to have a clear complexion.

That’s why an easy, effective way to remove makeup nightly is by using cleansing towelettes (such as Neutrogena® Cleansing Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Night Calming). A soft face wipe is a convenient way to gently and effectively remove makeup, dirt, and oil from your face without requiring a trip to the bathroom. Plus, these particular wipes contain a lavender fragrance which acts as a calming aromatherapy treatment, helping you relax and get off to sleep easier.

When you get a deep, restful sleep, you not only wake up feeling refreshed and energized, it also helps your body create clear, more radiant skin. That’s why they call it “beauty rest” because a good night’s sleep truly helps you look more beautiful.

From revitalizing face cleansers to anti-acne exfoliating products, Rite Aid is a great place to shop for all your skincare needs. Devoted to becoming your go-to destination for all things related to Wellness + Beauty, Rite Aid carries a wide variety of affordable and effective products, ranging from skincare and makeup to vitamins and supplements.

To make your Wellness + Beauty shopping experience even more enjoyable this season, Inspirations & Celebrations is giving away a $50 Rite Aid Gift Card to one lucky I&C reader. For a chance to win, enter the Rite Aid Giveaway below. To be eligible to win, entrants must be USA Residents age 18+. A random winner will be drawn on September 28, 2018, and contacted by email.

Rite Aid Giveaway



For more skin care and beauty tips and tutorials, check out the Skincare and Health & Beauty sections on Inspirations & Celebrations.