Biba de Sousa Review: The Best Products to Try and Why They’re Cosmo Editor–Approved
Fellow pimple-prone friends, this one’s for you.
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I first was introduced to Biba de Sousa and her skincare products via Zoom in spring 2023, when I was going through a particularly painful bout of cystic acne. De Sousa is Hollywood’s unofficial acne whisperer, so naturally I hung on her every word, furiously taking notes and asking questions about her line, which she created after struggling to find effective, yet non-irritating, fixes for her client’s reactive, acne-prone skin.
When a client comes to de Sousa with acne (or really any skin concern for that matter), she analyzes everything to get to the root cause. “Acne is a disease, and diseases should be assessed and treated holistically with the help of a pro,” she says. “You’d never wander into the drugstore and expect to find something to treat heart disease effectively, so why would anyone do that with acne?”
This means assessing lifestyle habits, stress levels, and medications and then doing a deep dive on products and ingredients. She encourages all her clients to run all their products through the Pore-Clogger Checker on her site. “There are so many problematic ingredients out there—even in products marketed toward acne-prone or oily skin—and if you don’t avoid them, nothing you’re using for your acne will make a difference,” she explains.
I can attest that using de Sousa’s Pore-Clogger Checker has been a game changer and that her products are the real deal. I’ve been religiously using the five below and my skin is happier and healthier than it’s looked in months. Keep scrolling for a review of my favorite Biba de Sousa products plus all the reasons the line is Cosmo editor–approved.
Why we Love Biba de Sousa skincare:
- A no-BS, results-oriented line of cleansers, serums, masks, moisturizers, and more.
- Developed by a licensed aesthetician with 20+ years of experience treating problematic skin.
- The majority of products in the line are safe for acne-prone skin and won’t clog pores.
- Formulated without questionable or potentially irritating ingredients, including synthetic fragrances, dyes, parabens, sulfates, silicones, and mineral oils.
- A favorite among celebrities, including Hailey Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and Billie Eilish.
Cosmo editors crowned this Best Hydrating Serum in our 2023 Acne Awards—it’s that damn good. The formula is suitable for all skin types—from dry and dehydrated to sensitive and acne-prone—and uses a combo of antioxidants, plant peptides, and hyaluronic acid to soothe, smooth, and plump skin. And unlike many other hydrating face serums I’ve tried, it won’t clog pores or exacerbate breakouts.
This is one of the best face masks I’ve ever tried, which is saying a lot considering it’s been my actual job to test skincare products for the past 10 years. It’s a true multitasker—and you’ll see an immediate difference in the tone and texture of your skin after just one use. The blend of minerals and clays help deep clean pores, absorb excess oil, and minimize inflammation, while antioxidant-rich goji berry helps repair and regenerate skin for a healthy glow. It even works as an overnight spot treatment on pimples too.
Lightweight yet supremely hydrating, this lotion checks all the right boxes when it comes to the perfect everyday face moisturizer for oily, combo, or acne-prone skin. The blend of squalane, glycerin, and aloe vera extract hydrates skin and helps lock in moisture. And the texture is fast-absorbing, nongreasy, and leaves skin with a natural matte finish. In my experience, it layers perfectly over face serums and won’t pill or get patchy when applied under sunscreen or face makeup.
This isn’t one of those overly aggressive acne face washes that leaves your skin feeling dry, tight, and flaky. It gently removes makeup, excess oil, and buildup on the skin—plus, it contains benzoyl peroxide to help kill acne-causing bacteria, which is a must for clearing up existing breakouts and preventing new ones from forming. The key here is to massage the cleanser into your skin and then let it sit for a full minute or two before rinsing so the benzoyl peroxide can do its thing.
This barrier repair cream is a must-try for dry skin types or anyone dealing with chronic inflammation. It is thick and creamy (in my testing experience, a little goes a loooong way) and contains plant butters and oils to deeply moisturize your skin and keep it that way for hours. It also has anti-pollution benefits to help protect skin from the aging effects of free radicals too. It contains shea butter, which may be too heavy/occlusive for very oily or acne-prone skin, but for everyone else, it’s a great cold-weather moisturizer or night cream.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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