I felt it was important for me to create a weekly segment addressing different skin types and help aid specific skin concerns. This week I am tackling acne prone (the in between). Changing my curation of products a few times & using less has led me to this stellar routine!
Whether it’s acne, acne scars, dry skin or how to get that dewy gorgeous glow, I have acquired some of my most essential beauty tips through weeks of product study/use. I'm here to share them all with you because like me I wasn’t as educated about my skin concerns growing up! I want to share all that I know here with you.
To Start it Off
Cleansing and moisturizing properly will save your skin. I mean it! I remember last year going downhill with my skin using various different products/formulas but also not using the products correctly. I currently use a salicylic/glycolic acid cleanser for my face everyday while washing for 60 seconds exactly. It’s super important to cleanse your face for at least a minute to ensure the dirt and oils trapped inside the skin are released. I can guarantee you’ll see a difference in the texture and result of the product you're using almost overnight. Remember however not to keep exfoliating dry skin instead of moisturizing it. Be very peculiar and light when touching your face. Skin types vary, I happen to have acne prone in between skin so I tend to stick to oil free products. My moisturizer is also oil-free from Dr. Dennis Gross and it doesn’t lack the hydration I need. It’s “An oil-free daily moisturizer that detoxifies and helps prevent the signs of aging and clogged pores on the face and neck.”
I apply moisturizer while my skin is still damp and apply a light layer. My universal advice for oily skin, dry skin, and the in between is to not dry your skin completely out by over-treating it. Find a harmonious balance. Sensitive skin should avoid fragrances, parabens, and certain essential oils that may be too strong. Finding a routine is trial and error I literally spent years to get to my regime which doesn’t consist of too much.
Hyaluronic Acid vs. Vitamin C
I found that a lot of vitamin c based products tend to break me out and some even have contributed to cystic acne in areas of my face. Products that include vitamin c and heavy oils tend to block my pores and clog them with bacteria. The regeneration of my skin has really pushed forward using hyaluronic acid based products and or serums when I get a facial. My esthetician Cynthia Rivas recommended the dermalinfusion facial for me with extractions followed by a serum I love https://www.isclinical.com/active-serum.html & a specific mask if needed . For spot treatment I use a sulfur ointment acne medication which is very effective and produces results overnight.
Pampering done Proper
My favorite facial hands down is the Dermalinfusion facial. I get it twice a month and the benefits include detoxification, stimulates blood flow, exfoliates, rids of blackheads, and infuses medical-grade serums for anti-aging, anti-acne, hydration, brightening, and balancing skin tone.The Essentials
To top off my skincare routine every day I use a tinted sunscreen from Elta MD. Upon meeting my esthetician I hadn’t really put any effort into using sunscreen because as a kid I wouldn’t use it consistently. I depended on the protection of my melanin as my father would say. However no matter the skin tone we have to protect our skin from harsh external rays. I love this sunscreen in particular because it goes the extra mile with UVA/UVB protection and it’s oil-free letting the pores breathe. Along with sunscreen I take a daily vegan vitamin to protect my skin inside out. It’s a botanical skincare dietary supplement by Sundaily that boosts your skin’s ability to fight free radical damage & resist the effects of UV light, smog, and stress on your skin. On days my skin is feeling congested I l also highly recommend lymphatic drainage at home. Make sure whatever tool you're using is cold on your skin for the maximum effects. You can do that by keeping it in the freezer overnight or for a minimum of 30 minutes. Take your time while stroking each area spending at least 2 minutes on your face and neck. Also ensure you drain everything down from the neck to the chest at the end of your self-treatment. In order (Drain to ear, drain down the neck, eye circles clockwise & counter clockwise)
The Finale
Less is truly more & appreciate the basics. We might think we need to pack on the product but we need to also remember to let the skin breathe in its natural element. There are times I feel at my best because my skin is breathing yet I'm still able to achieve that glow, long lashes, feathered eyebrows and an awakened eye. Your favorite moisturizer mixed with a booster to add glow to your skin on maybe a tinted layer of makeup that's really light goes a long way. Curl your lashes every day it will make you look instantly awake and more refreshed. I’ve personally been using the same eye-lash curler for 7 years from Surratt Beauty. It’s chic and super effective. I love Boy brow by Glossier but sometimes you don't need a brow gel because it weighs your brow hairs down too much so I love Soap Brows to amplify them and hold them in place. Try a normal light stroke of your color brow filler and comb up repeatedly for the complete look. Top it off with a highlighter in whatever area you desire and make sure those lips are super moisturized. My secret to great lips is Laneige lip sleeping mask & Bite Beauty’s arrangement of agave lip products. I only use a lip scrub once every two weeks because I’ve experienced tearing of my lips from too much use and that’s not helping repair the layer of skin on our lips nor replenishing the moisture . Even when my lips experience a bit of dry patches and flakiness I resort to adding more moisture & even using 100% natural elements.
One more tip before we close up this segment is the importance of hydration on the go and you can get that with a facial spray or an "essence" product to deeply hydrate your skin. My favorite is from Juice Press & it’s 100 % rose water.. Spray it , drink it, do whatever you want to do with it!
I'm going to be dropping this segment bi- weekly. I'm going to leave an ask box on the site so if you have any questions about your specific skin care needs please feel free to leave a comment!
A couple months ago I was suffering from cystic acne on my right cheek. The photo to the right was two weeks after visiting Cynthia. Currently that side of my face along with the rest of my skin is completely smooth!
Here are some of the products linked throughout this article for reference.