It’s finally Friday night and you’ve been looking forward to having drinks at the new bar that opened up this month. The group chat is buzzing with questions about outfits, hair details, and deciding what time to meet up. You’re excited for a much needed girls’ night but as you glance at the mirror you see it: the first sign of a red, painful pimple. It’s the 3rd one this week and you couldn’t be more disappointed (they always come at the most inconvenient times, don’t they?). 

You’ve stayed true to washing your face twice a day, so what gives?

If this sounds like you, then know you’re not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, about 50 million Americans suffer from acne. For women, up to 15 percent of us experience adult acne in our 30s and 40s. With age and fluctuations in hormones, it’s no surprise that you may have a nasty breakout here and there. The good news is that I may have cracked the code on finding the perfect skincare routine. Keep reading for more…

Skin Type

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the steps to take and products to use for clear skin, let’s address skin type. Knowing your skin type before starting a skincare routine can save you a lot of time and frustration. For example, if you have dry skin, then you’ll want to make sure your routine has more hydrating products such as squalane and hyaluronic acid. We’ve all been influenced by TikTok to get this serum or that eye cream, but it’s key to understand your skin and what it needs. 

When it comes to acne, another tip is to figure out what is causing it. My routine focused on treating cystic hormonal acne caused by an imbalance in my hormones and likely poor gut health. But some people get acne when they have a lot of stress (think a big breakup or losing your job). Or maybe you’ve been on a sweets binge (no judgment!) and your skin is reacting to it. Whatever the case is, learning what is causing your acne can help you get rid of it.

Products

So now that we’ve got that out of the way, it’s time to talk products! Now this may be controversial but hear me out: you don’t need a million products for this to work. I know you’re probably thinking “Well what’s the fun in fewer products? I love my Sephora runs!” I totally get you, but save yourself some time and money, and trust me on this, OK? A good skincare routine needs 5 components:

  1. Cleanser
  2. Treatment (serums, essence, etc.)
  3. Moisturizer
  4. Sunscreen

That’s all! I loooove trying new skincare products, but I also understand less is more! When you can get the basics right, success is on the horizon. Check out the exact products I’ve been using to achieve acne-free skin:

  • Cleanser

I double cleanse which is key to removing dirt, makeup, and sunscreen from your face.

I start with a cleansing oil from DHC and follow with La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser. 

  • Rosewater

I just recently added this back into my routine and love it. This one from Mario Badescu is great, but if you are looking for something with no added fragrances, try another brand. 

  • Serum

Hyaluronic Acid is my go-to serum right now, especially as we transition into the cooler months. This draws moisture to the skin and helps keep your face super hydrated. This one from Asterwood is great, but I feel like most brands that I’ve tried have been a success. 

  • Differin Gel

So THIS is the secret sauce in the skincare recipe. I was struggling so badly with my acne and came across Differin Gel online. It’s the only over-the-counter prescription-strength retinoid and helps with acne and anti-aging. I may have to do a separate post on this stuff, but for me, it totally changed my skin. I started seeing a difference by week 3 and it’s been improving ever since. My advice if you try this is to take.it.slowww. The instructions say to use this once a day every day, but I only used it 1-2 times a week for the first week, and then every other day for the second week so that my skin would have time to adjust. 

  • Moisturizer

I’m in love with the La Roche Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer. It feels like my face took a giant gulp of fresh spring water, seriously! It leaves a nice dewy finish without a sticky feeling. 

  • Sunscreen

Ok so this was the hardest thing for me to find out of this list! If you are a POC and have acne-prone skin, finding a good sunscreen is hard, and I had no idea it would be as difficult as it was. I tried so many brands but they either felt tacky on my skin, left a white cast, or made my acne 10 times worse. After a lot of digging, I finally found the one **cue the wedding bells**. Byoma came out with an SPF 30 gel-moisturizing sunscreen and I’m in love! The gel consistency really makes this a standout product. It also has the added skincare benefits of hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan so it can replace some of your other products in your AM routine.  And best of all, no white cast and no big acne flare-ups.  

The Steps

So here is how I use these products on a day-to-day basis 

Am Routine

  1. No cleanse! Just splashing my face with cool water and patting it dry
  2. Rosewater spray
  3. Sunscreen 

PM Routine

  1. Double cleanse with cleansing oil and foaming cleanser
  2. Differin Gel
  3. Hyaluronic Acid Serum
  4. Spray of Rosewater

That’s it! The skincare routine that made my acne disappear and stay away. Remember, get to the root of what is causing your acne, know your skin type, and keep it simple when you are shopping for products. If you happen to try any of the products from my routine, let me know what you think! I’d love to hear about your experience. Peace XOXO.