a clear skin routine

This routine is designed to keep your face healthy and hydrated.

I started getting cystic acne as a young teenager, so I’ve tried countless routines, products, and professional treatments over the years to keep my acne at bay. I’ve learned that clear skin is less about finding a miracle product and more about consistency, restraint, and supporting the skin’s natural barrier.

If you are new to skincare or adjusting your routine, it is best to start with the bare bones version and add products slowly so you can see how each one affects your skin independently (see “Minimal, Bare Bones Routine” at the end).

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In the morning:

1. Wash your face with La Roche Posay Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Cetaphil Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser for a gentle A.M. cleanse.

   It is also a good option to just rinse your face with some warm water and skip the cleanser if your skin is very dry. The leftover serum and moisturizer from the night before along with your skin’s natural oils can help keep your skin extra protected and hydrated.

2. Apply a few drops of Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum to face and neck. This helps with brightening overall skin tone by fading old dark spots, especially acne scarring.

3. Moisturize with La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer. This is a great light moisturizer for the morning. Don’t forget to apply it to your neck too.

4. Protect yourself with La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen. I use a liberal amount of sunscreen on my face and neck every morning. I put any excess on the back of my hands.

Before bed:

1. Cleanse #1 with PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil. Starting with clean hands and dry skin, massage a few pumps of the oil on your face and neck. Wet your hands and continue massaging. This helps dissolve sunscreen, makeup, and buildup before your second cleanse. Rinse off with warm water before Cleanse #2.

2. Cleanse #2 with La Roche Posay Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Cetaphil Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser. Once or twice a week, I replace my second cleanser with the CeraVe Renewing Salicylic Acid Cleanser. I find that it helps keep the acne away almost completely. If your skin is very dry, skip the salicylic acid cleanser entirely or use only during a breakout.

3. Apply few drops of the Avène Hydrance Boost Concentrated Hydrating Serum or medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum. You only need one of these two serums in your routine, they basically do the same thing.

   Once or twice a week, I highly recommend replacing this step with a prescription tretinoin (do this on a different day than the salicylic acid cleanser, if using). I’ve found that tretinoin speeds up the healing process from a new pimple and tones scarring. If you are new to tretinoin, start once a week and increase slowly.

4. Moisturize with La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream. This is an amazing thick, barrier protecting moisturizer to protect your hydrated skin all night. It comes in paper packaging, bringing less plastic into your life.

5. Treat dark spots and pores with AHA BHA Super Miracle Spot All Kill Cream if you have any dark spots or red porous areas that you would like to clear out.

6. Protect your skin with CeraVe Healing Ointment if needed: I occasionally get dermatitis on my face. Usually this is caused by stress and I know it sounds strange, but this diaper rash ointment makes it go away quickly. 

Full Product List:

• La Roche Posay Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Cetaphil Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser

• Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen

• PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil

• CeraVe Renewing Salicylic Acid Cleanser

• Avène Hydrance Boost Concentrated Hydrating Serum or medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

• La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

• AHA BHA Super Miracle Spot All Kill Cream

• CeraVe Healing Ointment

Minimal, Bare Bones Routine

This is a great place to start. I believe it is best to start with a very minimal routine and adjust it as your skin shows you what is working best.

A.M.

1. Cleanse with La Roche Posay Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Cetaphil Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser

2. Moisturize with La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

3. Protect yourself with La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen

P.M.

1. Cleanse twice with La Roche Posay Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Cetaphil Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser

2. Moisturize with La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

I have very sensitive skin that is quick to dry out, so all of these products are very gentle. I also wash my face with warm water to easily wash away dry skin.

This is the most consistent and reliable routine I’ve found for my skin.

w/ Love,

Saari