Bringing out the Big Guns: What I Reach for When My Skin is Acting Up
As I write this, my skin is not at its best. I was always that girl in high school that could wash her face with literally just water and my skin would be perfectly clear. Since starting college and also getting back into riding, that is just no longer the case. My combination skin type has emerged, with persistent cystic acne and clogged pores plaguing my life. On this rollercoaster, I have found a few products that really, really work to reduce some of the worst acne and irritation (even if they don’t fix it completely.
Big Gun #1: Gentle Cleansers
I love to exfoliate as much as the next girl, but when my skin is irritated or inflamed I make sure I’m using gentle cleansers like the Fresh Beauty Soy Cleanser or the Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser. These cleanse my skin of any dirt or grime (I don’t wear makeup) without adding to the irritation. I can trust them to not clog my pores either.
Big Gun #2: BHA is a Girl’s Best Friend
The Paula’s Choice 2% Liquid BHA exfoliant is a GODSEND for my acne-prone combination skin. While I don’t use it every day (my moisture barrier is in an almost permanent state of wreckage), I do love to apply it under a clay mask to really draw out any gunk. I can see stuff ooze out of my pores after.
Big Gun #3: Clay Masks - Specifically, Sand & Sky
There are many clay masks on the market. I have quite a few I like to use, such as the Olehenriksen Cold Pore Plunge mask and the Caudalie Instant Detox Mask. But nothing quite compares to the Sand & Sky Pink Clay Mask. This layered over the PC 2% BHA liquid exfoliant is a quick fix to draw out everything that is clogging my pores as well as brighten and tighten my skin. I’m on my sixth or so jar, have three backups, and will NEVER go without it.
Big Gun #4: A Soothing, Nourishing, Repairing Mask
Hydrating masks are of course a necessity in any routine. But to really fight my cystic acne, I need a powerhouse: The Naturaculina Rose Berry Mask. This contains incredible ingredients like raw honey, rose clay, and cranberry oil to both nourish and detox. This is another mask that I see immediate effects on my skin condition and cannot live without.
Big Gun #5: Oils aren’t just for Dry Skin
While it may seem scary to put facial oils on skin that is acne prone, the right choice can actually help reduce acne and irritation. My go-to is the Herbivore Lapis oil, which soothes redness and helps reduce irritation. It doesn’t contribute to clogged pores and helps to soothe my skin, making it fantastic to layer under my moisturizer.
Big Gun #6: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
The final items I cannot live without in my struggles to get my skin right are hydrating products. Specifically, a hyaluronic acid serum I can trust like Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra, and a moisturizer I can bet my life on, like the La Mer Soft Cream. When my skin is acting up I don’t reach for thick creams, but rather lightweight products that keep my moisture barrier intact while ensuring my combination skin remains hydrated and moisturized.
The above products may not be the only things I use in my day to day routines, but when my skin is acting up, these are the products I know I can trust with my life. Let me know in the comments if any of these work for you!
