I've suffered from hormonal acne since I was a teenager, and ever since those huge, painful, and embarrassing blemishes have been stressing me out. Finally, after over a decade later of turbulent trials, I've found a routine that works for me. But that doesn't mean I don't suffer from a breakout every now and then. I often feel those pesky, painful spots under my skin before they're even noticeable, and I want to fight them before they get bigger. Then, a few years ago, I saw everyone buzzing about the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion [1] (£15.50).

Little did I know that the small pink bottle is actually a classic skin-care product with legions of fans — and it's been a total game changer for me [2]. After receiving it in the mail, I followed the instructions and used a cotton swab to dab the pink lotion on every little spot I could find. I woke up the next day and there was no trace of the lotion or of a blemish. At last, a product that I saw results with.

If you're wondering what makes this treatment so special, it's the pink substance itself: the calamine lotion. (Yes, that's the same lotion that you may have used if you've ever suffered from poison ivy or insect bites as a kid.) This soothing lotion is mixed with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and sulphur, which work together to dry out clogged pores, kill acne-causing bacteria, and diminish the appearance of your spots. And yes, it's supposed to be separated from the clear liquid and sit all along the bottom of the bottle. Don't shake it up before you use it, and I promise you that you won't be disappointed.