Columnist · Editorial staff

Anneliese Crowther

Writes the publication's comparison guides, weighing the options in acne treatment side by side.

3 stories by Anneliese Crowther

Explainer · 6 min · Anneliese Crowther

Azelaic acid: the quiet multitasker of acne care

It rarely gets shelf space next to retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, yet it treats clogged pores, inflammation, and the dark marks acne leaves behind, all at once. How azelaic acid compares to the heavyweights, and who it suits best.

July 7, 2026

Explainer · 6 min · Anneliese Crowther

Salicylic acid: what it actually does inside a pore

The drugstore aisle's favorite acid is the only common one that dissolves into oil, which changes where it works and who it helps. How it compares to benzoyl peroxide and retinoids, and where it earns a place in a routine.

July 3, 2026

Dispatch · 7 min · Anneliese Crowther

Retinoids: the backbone of acne care

Tretinoin, adapalene, and how to start without the dreaded purge.

November 2, 2025