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My Skincare Routine: 30s, Oily, Acne Prone

19 items

Alex Forbes

20 years strong with acne, oily skin, and texture issues 🏆 My routine is pristine and I wouldn’t change a thing!

Sections

AM & PM

Advanced Treatments

AM & PM

I start my AM & PM routine with these products every time.

Oily skin is dehydrated skin so I don’t like to use a stripping cleanser. I always make sure to wash my face for a full minute to really cleanse my pores.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Cleansing Oil for Face & Body

I use a fresh washcloth after cleansing my face every time, gently exfoliating. I find this really helps my pores stay clean!

Amazon Basics Cotton Washcloths

This is an affordable hypochlorous acid spray that is great for relieving redness and keeping the skin clean. I like to spray on after cleansing and any time I need it throughout the day.

Briotech Topical Skin Spray

After cleansing, I make sure my face is nice and wet with this spray before I add my hyaluronic acid. Thin layers of hydration and moisture are key for my oily skin! I also use it as a makeup setting spray.

HERITAGE STORE Rosewater & Glycerin Mist

AM

My favorite treatments to use every day before makeup.

The BEST hydrating serum for oily skin. It’s a light, water-y type serum (you can even put it in a spray bottle) and it’s the only thing that keeps my skin from getting angry and flakey from my actives. Perfect under moisturizer and makeup.

Marine Hyaluronics Serum: Lightweight Serum for Hydrated Skin

I had not a single zit on my wedding day thanks to this gel. It’s prescription only, but worth the effort to get. An over the counter alternative is benzoyl peroxide but it bleaches fabrics like towels and sheets so I haven’t used it in years.

Dapsone Gel

This is literally all you need. Simple, acne safe, works like it should. Since I use serums and active treatments, I don’t feel the need for extra stuff in my daily moisturizer. I love the way this soaks into my skin!

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream for Sensitive Skin with Pump

Amazing daily sunscreen that doesn’t smell and sits beautifully on the skin. It’s not mattifying, but it’s not greasy and won’t cause your skin to get oily.

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++, 50ml / 1.69 fl.oz

If you want a mattifying sunscreen, this is it! I use for days when I’m not wearing makeup and don’t want to look like a greaseball, or on days where I need extra mattifying. This is the UK version; don’t bother with the US version because it doesn’t...

Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF50+ Sunscreen 50ml

PM

Night time is where I add most of my treatments, cycling through either a chemical exfoliant, tretinoin, or restorative “slugging”.

My nighttime hydrating serum. A bit heavier with ceramides. I like to load up on hydration and moisture at night.

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)

Perfect eye serum, I use it at night. I have seen a reduction in fine lines around my eyes and my concealer sits so well now.

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum

My fav chemical exfoliant. Simple and gentle, you can use it every day if you’d like. I use it 2-3 times a week at night when I’m not using tretinoin.

Noxzema Ultimate Clear Anti Blemish Pads - Eucalyptus

I mix this with TO’s Hyaluronic Acid serum 1-2 times a week at night. I like a strong niacinamide treatment for my pores, and this allows me to control the amount.

The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder

A necessity. I add this after my HA serum and wait about 20 minutes before topping off with my nighttime moisturizer. If you don’t want a prescription, over the counter Differin is also a great choice for acne.

TRETINOIN 0.1 % CREAM

My daily night cream. My skin is always so soft in the morning, and this helps prevent my skin barrier from getting irritated and flakey from my active treatments.

Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

I like using the stick because I can simply swipe over my face after my moisturizer has soaked in and do a light “slugging”. Also great for my lips!

Aquaphor Stick | Healing Balm & Lip Repair

Advanced Treatments

I’m using this to help with my pitted scars. It’s a very strong treatment and you should definitely read instructions before using! 1-2 times a week I mix a teensy drop in my nighttime moisturizer and then add targeted drops on some of my deeper scar...

Super Cop 2X

You MUST read all instructions and use this product carefully. I’ve done 4 TCA 13% peels in a year so far and have seen an improvement in the texture and brightness of my skin! I also use the Fusion A and Emu Oil from this brand during healing.

TCA peel 7 - 13 - 20 - 30

I’ve been using this mask for over two years and have loved the benefits! I use every night after HA serum but before moisturizing. I chose the men’s version because it has a stronger light to penetrate thicker skin. Overall my skin looks tighter and...

Omnilux Men | Red Light Therapy