I have basically had the same skincare routine my entire life until last fall when I have gifted a skincare set from Pangea Organics. These products made a huge difference in my skin and I was psyched but recently like the last 6 to 8 months I have really been struggling with hormonal acne.
Hormonal acne is also known as cystic acne is acne around the chin. Its caused by – you guessed it – hormones. Mine is 75% caused by diet, I’m sure of it – cheese is giving me pimples! But damn it I wanna eat cheese and not have a freaking break out I’m 31!
After doing a little more research turns out getting hormonal acne in your early 30s is kind of par for the course – Super annoying. While I know diet is definitely a cooperate I really wanted to see what else I could be doing for my skin not only for the acne but wrinkles, uneven skin tone and being in Colorado – moisture. If you want young ageless skin you need moisture and I knew my current routine was not enough.
Put all this together with binge reading what my favorite bloggers use and listening to three podcasts with beauty experts and well I went a little crazy online shopping.
- I love Amber of Barefoot Blonde she is goals with like everything. I watched her video on her 5-minute beauty routine and ordered a few of her favorite products.
- The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast – Lauren Evarts LOVES her skin – she will go to great lengths to keep it perfect so I binged her podcast with Dr. Dennis Gross, Kate Summerville & Charlotte Choo of Soko Glam and went on a little shopping spree.
- Charlotte Choo of Soko Glam – Korean Beauty is SO hot right now and I had only heard of it till she was on the TSC Him & Her Podcast. Charlotte also struggles with Hormel Acne and wrote a whole post about it here.
Face Wash
Pangea Organics Australian Wild Plum & Willow – My daily face wash. I love that its all natural and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. Note that this is an oil based cleanser so I use this first.
NEOGEN Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser – One of my Soko Glam buys. This is a foam cleanser that says its great for oily to acne prone skin hello me. This is a water-based cleanser and in the 10 Step Korean Beauty routine first oil then water based. So this is face wash number two for me.
Toner
CAUDALÍE Beauty Elixir – This is another product Amber loves and with all the rave reviews I knew it would be a good buy. I really like how refreshing it feels and the smell thanks to all the essential oils. It also makes your skin feel nice and tight – all sucked in but not in a drying way. I use after washing and before lotion.
Oil
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% – Kate Summerville raved about Hyaluronic Acid in her interview so after some googling and reading I was like welp def need some of this. I know acid sounds weird for your skin but basically this stuff locks in moisture for your skin. Moisturized skin = health, Bright wrinkle-free skin. Read more here. I chose The Ordinary because of its rave reviews and great price point.
Moisturizer
Pangea Organics Moroccan Argan with Willow & Rosemary Cream – I have been using this moisturizer for about a year and like it. Right now I am mixing it with my The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid for extra moisture. I am open to any other moisturizer recommendations too!
Chemical Peel
DR ORACLE A-Thera Tea Tree Peeling Sticks – Everyone recommended a chemical peel for acne and since these were $5 I got them They are like giant q-tips. Slight sting but excited to see them work!
DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel – These are also highly recommended chemical peel for acne and just all over skin health. Lauren swears by these but I was on the SOKO Glam train so I got the ones above instead. But I may have to try these next as they also have rave reviews.
Exfoliator
ARCONA Cranberry Gommage Exfoliant – Amber swears by this exfoliant and her skin is radiant so I am trying it. I honestly first used Gommage or a real exfoliant last winter when I got my first facial – Life changing. My skin desperately needs this and so far I have really liked it.
Pimple Patch
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch – Turns out pimple patches are a thing. Just pop one on and let is suck out all that pimple badness. I have one on now so I will report back on how it does.
Face Tanning Lotion
DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE Alpha Beta® Intense Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face – Hands down the best FACE self-tanner out there. I love the gradual glow you get with these. I like to put them on in the morning and I’m looking oh so tan by afternoon. Also my secret tip for looking great on the slopes when your pasty white but don’t wanna cake on the makeup!
Face SPF
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM – I wear sunscreen on my face EVERYDAY. This is my go-to sunscreen for years and I have really loved it but I think right now it may be a little too thick for my acne prone skin so please send me any recommendations!
I will be sure to follow up and let you know what products I really do love and which ones I tossed. I’d love to hear your recommendations and favorite skin care products too!
