Banish Skincare Review - Remove Acne Scars at Home with Microneedling
Product Disclosure_ As a #BanishPartner, I may earn a commission from purchases made through the links on this page. Full video on YouTube here.
My History with Acne and Acne Scars
After I managed to get my acne breakouts under control through a combination of prescription medications like accutane and painful photodynamic therapy, I was left with skin that is (mostly) free of active breakouts, but also dotted with some scarring left over from breakouts past_ pock marks, raised bumps, enlarged pores. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and I am very proud to show off my overall healthy, glowing skin just the way it is.
However, I am a skincare enthusiast and I love to watch the way different products and treatments can help fine tune the health and appearance of my skin. So, after taking care of my cystic acne, the next logical step was to see what could be done about the remaining textural imperfections.
My first experiment? A round of Fractional C02 Laser skin resurfacing that initially left me red and peeling, but over the course of 6 months resulted in smoother, plumper-looking skin and some decent reduction of my deepest pock marks. I also keep an impressive army of physical and chemical exfoliants on rotation, as well as brightening serums that contribute to my desired smooth and glowy look. The skincare maintenance definitely helps, but I had yet to see a solution that I could use at home with similar results to my laser treatment.
Enter Banish Skincare.
About Banish Skincare
This line was created by Daisy Jing, a woman who is very vocal about her personal history with acne causing her to feel isolated and disconnected from her body. Through her experience, she created Banish, which she operates according to the following Banish Promises_
-Create a product line that gets to the root of problems, not just to cover them up temporarily.
-Use fresh natural ingredients, sourced from the West Coast of the United States
-Focus on the internal (rather than external) healing.
-It’s not the way you look that matters; it’s the confidence to be who you are, without hiding from others.
-And you can just Banish the rest.
Frankly, I am always willing to listen to an acne brand that brings awareness to skin acceptance, skin positivity, and pushes away from the narrative that having acne should be stigmatized in any way (spoiler alert_ it shouldn’t).
The hero item for the Banish Acne Scars line is the Banisher 2.0, a microneedling tool shaped like a stamp with gold-plated bristles that create microchannels in the skin. Similar to the laser treatment I had received in the past, this tool can help trigger collagen production in the skin which is meant to help plump up the skin from within, ultimately pushing up the layers of the skin and reducing the appearance of pockmarks and imperfections.
When I had seen this tool being used in videos from popular YouTubers, it instantly stuck in my mind and I knew exactly who I was dealing with when Banish reached out and asked if I’d like to try their starter kit, which includes the Banisher 2.0 as well as their entire skincare line (minus the cleanser, which Banish also sent me).
Which acne-prone skin, I try to be very cautious when introducing my skin to new products. The last thing I want is a mysterious breakout caused by a product that my skin doesn’t agree with! But knowing that Banish only uses natural ingredients in small batches, my mind was put at ease. Gentle formulas with simple, recognizable ingredients (think food names, not chemicals) tend to be a no-brainer for me, so I was very excited when I received my starter kit and got to slather all of these beautiful potions on. Here’s what was inside, followed by my experience with each product!
The Products
What You Get In The Banish Starter Kit:
- Banish Oil ( vitamin c serum ) – Banish says this is made with the most potent form of vitamin C called L-ascorbic acid, which can reduce the look of acne scars and hyperpigmentation faster than other forms of Vitamin C!
- Vitamin C Beauty Elixir - A refreshing vitamin C facial mist to add moisture back to skin, helping it to look less dull and more awake.
- Banisher 2.0 - The new Banisher effectively battles acne scars with gold plated titanium bristles, a built in protective cap and cleaning container, and design that improves the pressure and effectives of the bristles. The Banisher doesn't hurt and feels like velcro being pressed onto skin.
- Pumpkin Enzyme Masque - This bright orange mask has AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) which are natural exfoliators that slough off dead skin cells to improve the texture and tone of skin. Great for acne prone skin!
- Activated Charcoal Clay Masque - This powdered mask has activated charcoal, which acts like a magnet to absorb oils and impurities. Deep cleans pores and reduces shine for oily skin.
- Vitamin C Creme - This skin nourishing cream has a concentrated dose of 20% vitamin C. It’s light and hydrating without a heavy or greasy feel.
- Storage Bag- so cute and keeps everything nicely contained!
Also worth checking out_
- All Clear Mint Cleanser - A natural gel cleanser with a nice soft foam that leaves skin feeling fresh and clean, without over drying.
My Opinions
As you can see in my full video review on YouTube, I am really familiar with each of the Banish products in the routine, with several natural finds that I was very surprised by and a new serum I think my skin has been sorely missing! Here’s how I feel about each of these items in the order that I apply them.
- It has a surprisingly foamy for a natural formula, which I enjoyed.
- This beautiful scent isn’t too strong on the mint (and it smells expensive)
- Leaves my skin feeling clean without any tightness or dryness
Activated Charcoal Clay Masque
- It’s a super soft powder that’s easy to apply to wet skin
- I could see it drawing out oil from my pores in minutes
- It rinses off without a fuss or big mess in the sink
- One of my favorite items in the starter kit!
- It looks and smells like real pumpkin, which is the first ingredient
- It leaves my skin looking clear, glowing, and radiant
- Also doesn’t dry down or crust off of my face
- This tool is super easy to use and clean
- Using it does not hurt (at all!). It literally feels like pressing velcro onto my skin.
- My skin looks plumper after 14 days, and two uses!
- Makes me look extra glowy the very next morning
- Helps improves my collagen production over time
- This serum feels amazing after the microneedling tool
- Love how it seals in moisture and adds vitamin c
- It absorbs really fast and easy, without any residue
- My Skin looks brighter and more transparent the more I use it!
- This creme feels very hydrating, but not greasy
- It has a rich, buttery texture that is uncommon for acne-friendly products
- Feels very luxurious and soothing after using the Banisher tool
- Instant classic! I love this facial spray
- Feels great throughout the day for a refresh
- I spray it on after concealer to set everything
- Works well between skincare steps for added moisture!
Final Thoughts
I thought I would have to keep shelling out up to $1,000 at a time getting laser treatments that would help me get rid of my acne scars, but as it turns out Banish has given me a great option to take this process into my own hands!
I am (more than ever) focused on getting natural ingredients onto my skin more than harsh synthetics, and I can’t believe what a relief it was to pull out each Banish product from my starter kit to see a delightfully short list of recognizable, natural ingredients! It’s no wonder my skin drank up every step of the process without an issue.
While all of these products will be worked into my skincare rotation, I see myself using the Banisher 2.0 and Banish Oil every week, and the Beauty Elixir pretty much every day!
Have you used any Banish Skincare, or another product that helped you get rid of acne scars? Let me know in the comments below!
