Tired of Choosing Between Clear Skin and Hydrated Skin?

Your fall and winter regimen to finally quench your skin’s never-ending thirst.

Over half of women have acne-prone skin at some point in their adult life. The most effective way to manage acne topically is to use both antibacterial and exfoliating products to keep pores skin clear of dead skin cells, oil, and buildup. These active ingredients also create a healthy and even skin tone (bonus!). But one side effect of active ingredients can be what feels like dry skin, but it’s just dead, flaking skin that is exfoliating away. You may already know, but in the winter months, this can be even harder to manage since this season in itself can cause chronic dryness and dehydration due to a lack of moisture in the air. 

While cellular turnover is a key component for every skin type, it’s an absolute must for acne-prone skin. It is vital to not give up on your active ingredients, even if your skin starts to feel overwhelmed. Instead, try tweaking your current products and adding in layers of hydration. Remember, when working with acne-prone skin, it is crucial to avoid pore-clogging ingredients all year long. Taking care of your skin is all about balance, so it’s no surprise that your winter skin will differ from your summer skin. Here are some easy product shifts to keep skin glowing year-round.

Cleanser: We love a cleanser that also has active exfoliating properties, but in the winter more delicate skin may not be able to handle that twice a day. Try adding in Vivant’s Green Tea or Osmosis Purify for the mornings. If you think you can tolerate your active cleanser twice a day, but still suffer from the occasional bout of winter skin, it may be wise to have one of these on hand just in case! 

Toner: Toners are the first step in treating your skin and letting your workhorse serums do their job. While we love a strong toner to get skin in shape, you may find the winter months call for something more soothing like Vivant’s Skin Nourishing Toner, for a day to day balanced glow. Or, try saving your stronger toner for once a day and in the AM opt for Solaris’ LQD Rose Water Toner. Not only does their premium distilled rose water help to balance dry skin, but it has anti-inflammatory properties that are ideal for treating acne as well.

Serum: Don’t let your vitamin A’s and AHA’s go to the wayside because they are causing flaking. Simply balance them out by adding a hydrating serum on top. Also, it is okay to skip a day or two of your actives if you feel like your skin is slightly compromised. If you are still having a tough time using your daily serums, we might need to trade them out for a more tolerable option. We always think of leveling up when using our products, but it’s also perfectly acceptable to level down once in a while. For example, switch Vivant’s 15% Mandelic Acid Serum for their more gentle 8% Mandelic Acid Serum. If you have worked your way up to level 3 Exfol-A Forte, maybe take a step down to level 2 Exfol-A.

Moisturizer: One thing we don’t advise for acne-prone skin is to use a thick, heavy moisturizer. While not all acne-prone skin is oily, it’s rarely ever lacking in oil. Plus, the richer the moisturizer, the more likely it is to clog pores and cause breakouts. Hyaluronic acid is our skin's version of water and the best way to protect our skin's barrier from the harsh winter months. For the mornings, add in Magic White Ice under your moisturizer. Also, try switching to a more hydrating daily SPF like SuperGoop’s Superscreen, which contains acne-safe and moisturizing sunflower oil to help nourish the skin.