I’ve become a bit smug about my skin these past few years, feeling like my 30something complexion was finally moving out of its acne years and into a glowy, pre-wrinkled era of bliss.

Nope. Nein. Non. The acne’s still there–occasionally, with a vengeance. Oh! And I’m beginning to sport serious fine lines around my eyes, too. Awesome.

A powerhouse cleanser is incredibly important for keeping my skin clear and breakout-free. Sadly, as much as I want to climb on board the Cleansing Oil train and ride that baby into the sunset (I love the idea of Cleansing Oils, and have flirted with many versions over the years), ultimately I can’t use them for more than a couple weeks here and there. Eventually, my skin rebels and begins to get congested.

What really does the trick for me is a bracing, refreshing gel cleanser: ideally, something packing a punch with ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid.

Enter my newest love: SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel.

Specifically designed for breakout-prone skin, this is a decongesting cleanser that features glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lipo hydroxy acid (LHA), which is another form of salicylic acid that exfoliates and unblocks pores.

At only $38, it doesn’t break the bank, and I’ve seen a significant decrease in my breakouts and bumps (even on my forehead under my bangs) since starting it twice daily three weeks ago. It’s a new personal favorite, and if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you’ll love it, too.