Products That Work For (My) Acne Prone Skin
Dealing with acne in your mid 30’s is…well, humbling. Dealing with acne at any age is not easy but, in your 30’s when you’re also dealing with signs of aging, it can be an up hill battle to deal with both. Especially when they both require a different set of products. As someone who has dealt with acne since I was a young teen, till now, I have found products that definitely help manage the breakouts. Everyone’s skin is different and what works for me might not work for you. These are just products that I have used for years that have helped heal my breakouts quicker, reduce redness/irritation and help support congested pores.
Clearstem Vitamin Scrub & Clearstem Clarity- I have talked about this brand ad nauseam but they are just that good. One of the first brands that I have seen to create products that not only address signs of aging but also acne. Their motto is acne products age you and anti-aging products cause breakouts. A statement has never been so true. If you know, you know. These are two separate products that should be used in tandem with one another. If you have more sensitive/dry skin, I would recommend using these two every 2x a week, at night to start off. I have combo/somewhat sensitive skin and use it 4x a week and don’t have any issues. The scrub is gentle enough for nightly use if you want that extra exfoliation. It’s going to gently remove dead skin and really clean out your pores and prepare your skin for the next product- which is Clarity serum. This product is a exfoliating serum that MUST be left on skin for a minimum of 10 minutes to really do its job properly, so apply your body lotion, brush your hair and give it the full 10 minutes. Even though this serum uses active acids like mandelic acid, it never has irritated my skin. I make sure to follow with a nice rich cream once the 10 minutes is up.
*You can use code CHARLEISURE for 15% off your order. :)
Thayers Witch Hazel- Is one of those products that you may have in your medicine cabinet already, if not you should. It is great for sun burns, irritations, rashes, bug bites, etc. It is very inexpensive and a must have if you have active break outs. I like to use this after I cleanse when I am experiencing active breakouts. Or if I have picked at any of my breakouts which is not good but it happens. When I was younger and used to bake in the sun I would use this to help soothe my fried skin.
Witch hazel is an incredible astringent. It tightens the pores. I like to get the alcohol free version so that I am not stripping my skin too much.
Double Cleansing- I have a post where I go in depth on all my favorite cleansers. You can find that here. And in that post I mention my favorite first and second cleanse products. First cleanse is typically your oil cleanser. It’s going to remove all the makeup, SPF and gunk you’ve accumulated on your face through out the day. The second cleanse is typically a gel cleanser and that’s going to thoroughly deep clean your face. I have been double cleansing my entire adult life and I think it is a vital part to keeping skin clear and healthy. I truly believe that cleansing is the most important step to your skin care routine. You can do all the serums, potions, and lotions you want but if you do not wash your face thoroughly and properly, none of that will matter. A double cleanse ensures you thoroughly remove everything off of your face. I have used many oil cleansers over the years but currently I am using the DHC cleansing oil and it’s great!
I apply this on dry skin with dry hands and massage my face. Once you add a little warm water the oil will emulsify and just remove all your make up off.
The Ordinary Peeling Solution- I like to use this peel about once every 2 weeks or once a month. It is a potent solution of AHA 30% & BHA 2% that is left on the skin for 10 minutes maximum. I usually can only tolerate 3-4 minutes to be honest. It is very concentrated, but my god it is such a gem. I do not recommend using this on active, open break outs cause it will burn and cause damage! I also do not suggest using this if you are using any other type of exfoliant in the same day. That’s why I only use this once a month cause I do regularly use acids on my face through out the week. This is very potent and works the best on its own. Your face will slightly tingle but it should not burn. I have learned the hard way, which is why I say not to use this with other exfoliants (physical or chemical).
When you rinse this off your face will be slightly red but that subsides shortly and after your skin will be radiant and your pores will be smaller. I like to use an ice roller after to cool down and calm my skin.
Summer Friday’s Shade Drops SPF 30- Sunscreen and acne typically do not mix well together, but it is so important to protect your skin from the harmful rays when you have acne prone skin. Finding a sun block that wears nicely, doesn’t leave your skin greasy and doesn’t break you out can be difficult. I have tried countless SPF’s and this one is definitely in my top 3! It has a lightweight consistency and lays on the skin effortlessly. No mess, no white cast, no stinky smell. It’s just easy and has a nice soft finish.
I find it is perfect over a moisturizer OR as a light moisturizer if you have oilier skin. It’s also perfect under makeup. I currently have this and 2 others i’m going through and always grab for Summer Fridays.
Zo Skin Health Complexion Pads- I was first introduced to these pads by my esthetician back in FL 6 years ago. This is a medical grade skin care brand. These pads are soaked in AHA’s. I like to use these morning and night, which would we be a 1 month supply or, just in the morning if you want to get 2 months out of them. Using these in the morning is my favorite. I don’t like to wash my face in the morning so I’ll splash my face with cold water then use 1 of these. It helps gently exfoliate your skin while removing all the oil and gunk you accumulated on your face overnight.
I swear by these and have way less breakouts when I use these consistently. If you choose to use these in the morning, you MUST apply SPF after!
Hypochlorous Acid Spray- an antibacterial by product of our white blood cells. Helps prevent future acne breakouts. It is an inorganic compound. This is perfect spray to keep with you in your bag for on the go. Post work out, long day at work, refreshing facial mist through out the day, you name it, you can spray it.
I love this spray for my upper back, neck and chest.
High Frequency Wand- this is a skin care tool that uses electrical currents to zap zits. I first discovered one of these from my Esthetician. She would use this after my facial treatment and introduced me to a few good at home ones. I have had mine now for 6 years and love it. Stacked Skin Care. It comes with a few different attachments depending on where on your face or scalp you want to use it.
From their site: Oxygenate the skin, increase circulation, reduce inflammation, and heal emerging pimples with a facial device that kills acne-causing bacteria. Our high-frequency acne wand uses an argon gas electrode that emits a small electrical current and creates oxygen when applied to the skin. The oxygen travels into the skin to kill acne-causing bacteria in blemishes and reduce inflammation and redness.
A note from Charlene-
Quick disclaimer- I do not use all these products at the same time in my routines. These are products I like to rotate through during my various routines. A lot of products mentioned are acid based and should not be used on top of one another. Remember less is more, so if you are going to use an active acid in the evening, you do not need to also apply one in the morning. I also do not recommend using them back to back. Meaning if you use an exfoliating pad at night, you do not need an exfoliating peel too. Active acids are a vital part of my skin-care routine but I always make sure I minimize how much I am using and always apply rich mositurizing cream as my last step in the evening and SPF 30 or higher in the mornings. Acids can make sure you skin more vulnerable and susceptible to sun damage.
Affiliated links are included.
XO,
Charlene
