Breakouts in my 20's
I don’t know why nobody told me that acne doesn’t just go away when you enter your 20’s. If anything, I’ve gotten more hormone-driven breakouts unlike any I’ve gotten before, and my skin doesn’t react/heal the way it used to. For this post, I’ve even bravely shown you a photo where the breakouts haven’t been edited out LOL. In my teens, the majority of my breakouts would be on my nose and occasionally on my forehead. In my 20’s, I’m starting to get breakouts on my chin (these are diet and hormonally-driven, a lot of research say), cheeks, and even in weird places like right above my eyebrows or between my eyes.
I’ve learned that not all breakouts are caused by just excess oil, but by other lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and stress. This really cute and helpful diagram from Byrdie below helps you “map” where pimples are showing up on your face with certain problem areas or organs that may be neglected. For example, pimples above your eyebrows and between your eyes are linked to your gallbladder and liver. Ways to alleviate pimples from appearing here is to eat less processed foods and reduce the amount of fats in your diet. (Note to self: Stop eating cheese doodles.)
Some little things I started doing to help reduce/prevent breakouts:
SANITIZING MY PHONE. Seriously. You have no idea how many germs and other ~particles~ live on cell phones. I try to wipe down my phone at least once a day. All these germs and oils accumulate throughout the day and can end up back on our faces if we touch our face with our hands, or if we pick up our phone to answer a call. Another habit I’ve been trying to implement is to stop taking my phone with me into bathrooms!!
Changing my pillowcase at least once a week or after I wash my hair. A lot of oil and fragrances end up on our pillowcases that get recycled back into our hair and face every night. (Gross, right?) I’ve also started using silk or satin pillowcases which apparently, not only reduce frizz to your hair, but also prevent creases (that turn into wrinkles) in your face.
If you know me, you’ll know that I spend way too much money on skincare (Sephora VIB Rouge, IYKYK). I’ve tried so many products, but I’ve learned that the best thing to do for your skin is to follow and maintain a consistent skincare routine. I don’t have the time or discipline to follow those 15-step Korean skincare routines, however I’ve found that a consistent routine is helpful (and can help you determine what products are/aren’t effective.)
Mornings:
I’ve recently finished a bottle of Sisley Cleansing Milk. I have pretty sensitive skin, so I do lean towards buying cleansing MILKS. In the winters, I use thicker milk cleaners like this Shiseido Cleansing Milk. When the weather gets warmer, I prefer to use this light Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser.
Kiehl’s Calendula Toner. I never knew (and still don’t know) if toner actually does anything. But I love the subtle honeyed scent of this toner, and it always makes my skin feel plump and smooth after cleansing.
Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate. Just a few drops of this serum goes a long way. In additional to providing antioxidant protection, this oil helps my skin feel and look more energized.
Biossance Eye Cream. This eye cream formulated with squalane and marine algae not only hydrates and firms my under-eye area, but I’ve also noticed my dark circles have alleviated. The bags under my eyes are Chanel.*
Drunk Elephant Protini Moisturizer. One of my coworkers got me obsessed with this brand last year. They start at a pretty high price point, but all the products under this brand are “clean” and formulaically balanced.
I never leave the house without SPF. I have been using The Face Shop Clean Face Oil-Control Sun Cream since college. Sadly, they’ve discontinued this line so while I’m rationing what’s left of my reserve (I tried to buy up all the tubes I could find online), I am also on the lookout for my next holy grail! If I want some sheer coverage, I’ll use this Dr. Jart+ BB Beauty Balm, which actually has SPF 45.
Evenings:
If I was wearing makeup that day, I like to first use an oil-based cleanser like Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil (my favorite is the blanc:chroma formula!)
As a second step, or if I was not wearing makeup that day, I will use cult-favorite Bioderma Micellar Solution (the pink one, for sensitive skin!)
I’ll also just wash my face again with a cleansing milk, using my Luna Foreo. I LOVE this little thing. I used to use a Clarisonic, but I’ve found that this brush is so much easier to clean and maintain, and the vibrations from the silicone brushes gives a deeper clean.
Toner
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, the evening counterpart to the reviving oil I use in the morning.
I just finished up this Drunk Elephant Glycolic Night Serum (when I was in my Drunk Elephant phase), but for $90/bottle, it just wasn’t as effective as I hoped it would be. Now, I just use the Protini moisturizer. When the weather is colder or I feel like I need a little more hydration, I’ll use this La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream instead.
I will finish off with some kind of spot corrector (my mom and I have been using this one for years), or these hydrocolloid patches (I have nothing but good things to say about these little guys. You leave them on overnight, or even for a few hours, and they draw out all the impurities and any pimples/whiteheads are noticeably smaller.)
I became more aware of how much WATER I was drinking, and I was not drinking enough. Whether it’s bringing a water bottle to work, or setting reminders to drink at least every hour, you need to make sure to stay hydrated. In addition to helping with your skin, drinking water helps flush out impurities and toxins, and can help you feel better overall.
I seriously don’t know how I used to survive on <6 hours of sleep in high school. I definitely need at least 8-10 hours now LOL. Sleep is when your body (& your skin) recharges and rebalances itself. When I can get a good night’s rest, I find myself waking up more refreshed and energized.