Last summer I started sharing about my acne and how bad it had gotten from daily mask wear. I have changed my skincare routine a few times since then. Tried some things that worked and some things that didn’t. Now, a year later, I am so thrilled with how far my face has come. Today I am sharing my routine in hopes it could help someone else.
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May – June 2020
Around April-May mask wearing became mandatory on board the airplane for passengers and crew alike. (If you’re new, welcome! The background here is that I am a flight attendant). Shortly thereafter, masks were required in all public spaces. I already had a skincare routine but it stopped working for me. In retrospect I think that Differin (Adapalene gel 0.1%) does not agree with me, the toner was unnecessary and had fragrance, and the CeraVe moisturizer that was probably a bit too heavy. I started sharing in Instagram stories about how I was struggling and got so much love and support from the community. You can still check the highlight on my profile for more play-by-play if you would like!
Products used: Night time: Clinique Take the Day Off Balm, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Heritage Rose Water Toner, Differin, and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (the thick one in the tub). Day time: Splash with water, CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30.
July – September 2020
The great calm down. I removed Differin and the rose water toner from my routine. I swapped out my night time thick moisturizer for something a bit lighter. I also switched from a 2 in 1 product for my daytime moisturizer to a separate moisturizer and sunscreen. The biggest reason I switch from the 2 in 1 was not exactly to help with the acne, but because chemical sunscreens sting my eyes. Splitting up the step means I have greater control over the ingredients. This way I am able to use a mineral sunscreen, and no more stinging eyes! Chemical sunscreen is not bad, it just doesn’t work for me. Don’t feel like you have to change to a mineral one if chemical works for you!
Products used: Night time: Clinique Take the Day Off Balm, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, and Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask. Day time: Splash with water, Clinique Moisture Surge 100 hour, Coola Organic Mineral Face Sunscreen.
October-December 2020
After several months of using this very basic routine, I felt ready to add back an active or two. The Instagram ads got to me and I decided to give Curology a try. It was easy to sign-up for and who doesn’t love taking a little quiz? And of course, they have a great introductory offer of getting your first bottle free, just pay the $4.95 for shipping.
I promptly received my welcome package that included trial sizes of their cleanser and moisturizer. This is a great start if you are looking to start a completely new routine. I used these products for a few nights at home. They were very gentle and fragrance free, but so were the products I already had. I went back to using my cleanser and moisturizers at home but kept the Curology ones for traveling because they were the perfect size! My first bottle of treatment contained 0.25% Zinc pyrithione, 1% Clindamycin, and 4% Niacinamide.
Products used: Night time: Clinique Take the Day Off Balm, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, 1& 1/2 pump of my Curology treatment, and Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask. Day time: Splash with water, Clinique Moisture Surge 100 hour, Coola Organic Mineral Face Sunscreen.
January-July 2021 (present)
The last big change I made where I saw improvement was getting back on hormonal contraceptives. I took ‘the pill’ throughout high school and college due to terrible PMS symptoms and to help clear up my acne. When I started flying, I fell off the wagon of taking it everyday and never really got back to it. Then there was the whole hassle of needed to go to the doctor and whatnot. But I knew it had worked like a charm last time and I was itching to clear up the last of my acne. I was once again influenced by social media ads and downloaded Nurex. Nurex is an app that has doctors on staff to prescribe contraceptives to you and have them shipped to your door. It was really easy for me as I knew exactly the brand that I wanted. And once again, it worked!
Two small product changes have also happened during the last 7 or so months. I switched to CeraVe’s new Hydrating Cream to Foam Facial Cleanser. This is because I saw that there was something new and I wanted to try it out lol. I have been very happy with it and will rebuy. It foams up just enough that I feel it does a better job of removing make-up (a life saver when I’m a little lazy and don’t want to double cleanse), but doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry and tight when I rinse.
I also switched my sunscreen because the Coola one is $32. This product came as part of a Fab Fit Fun box, and while I loved it I could not justify the price. I gave the Ulta brand sunscreen a try and am very happy with it. It’s cheaper, still mineral based, and even has a little tint to it, so most days I don’t bother with any extra face make-up! Win-win!
Products used: Night time: Clinique Take the Day Off Balm, CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Facial Cleanser, 1& 1/2 pump of my Curology treatment, Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask, and my contraceptive pill. Day time: Splash with water, Clinique Moisture Surge 100 hour, Ulta Tinted Mineral Face Lotion SPF 30.
Final thoughts and where to go from here
This last year has taught me a lot. It taught me that just when I think I’ve gotten all my insecurities under control and I’m invincible something is probably going to pop up and bring back all those negative feelings. It also showed me if you’re brave enough to be vulnerable with others about those insecurities there’s so much love, advice, and belonging to be found.
Moving forward, I’m going to finish up using the Curology product that I have but am no longer renewing my shipments. I feel that while it did work for me, it didn’t completely blow me away. For this reason, I’m ready to try something new! EDIT! (10/8/21) I am a bit too nervous to branch out and try something new at this time, so I have decided to keep receiving Curology shipments. I never went to a professional esthetician or dermatologist in the last year because making appointments makes me anxious and I didn’t want the extra cost. I’m thinking now though, I may go to an esthetician for a treatment or two to help with some of the leftover scarring I have.
Have you dealt with acne? How about Maskne? Have a skincare tip you want to share? I’d love to hear it below.
Thank you so much for reading, it really means a lot to me. Until next time, stay fab! Xoxo,
