Hey beauties, it’s Morgan here with a new spin on acne fighters. You see, acne is more than just about what’s happening on the surface. Yes, breakouts are visible on our skin, but they’re also a signal from our body that something’s going on underneath.
So while we need to address acne topically, we also need to hydrate, nourish, and rebalance our skin to address the root causes. After all, it’s all interconnected.
Let’s dive into six skincare heroes designed to support our acne-fighting journey, each with their own superpowers to soothe, repair, and illuminate your skin.
Meet Your Skin Heroes
PRO RETINOL CREAM:
When we think about our battle with acne, we often picture ourselves as warriors, armed with potent weapons. Pro Retinol Cream is a trusted ally in this fight. This revolutionary resurfacing crème is packed with a cocktail of active ingredients like Retinol, Hexylresorcinol, Resorcinol, Vitamin C, Mulberry Extract, and Argilene. It works its magic to smooth, brighten, and give your skin that youthful glow we all crave.
ICE BALANCING LOTION:
Acne-prone skin is a balancing act. We need to keep our skin hydrated, yet excess oil can invite breakouts. That’s where Ice Balancing Lotion comes in. This daily lotion masters the delicate dance of controlling oil and providing lightweight hydration. It also lightens, brightens, and calms the skin without triggering more breakouts or clogging pores.
BIO HYDRA INFUSION
Hydration is your skin’s best friend when it comes to acne. It’s not just about drinking your eight glasses a day; your skin needs topical hydration too. Bio Hydra Infusion is an ultra-hydrating serum infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Silver Ear Mushroom Extract that provides healing Gold and Silver Minerals, Plant Stem Cells, B5 Vitamins, and nourishing botanicals. Think of it as a soothing drink for your skin.
PRO BRITE PLUS SERUM:
Ever felt your skin just seems dull and lifeless? Fatigued skin can exacerbate acne, making it more visible and harder to manage. Pro Brite + is an advanced serum formulated to flip the switch on tired skin. With stabilized Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid, Ferulic Acid, and exclusive MASQ-tech™, it brightens your skin tone, minimizes pore appearance, hydrates, and supports your skin’s barrier function.
MYSTIQ ILLUMINATING BEAUTY OIL:
Acne-prone skin can still enjoy the luxury of a beauty oil. Mystiq Illuminating Beauty Oil is a lightweight oil that harmonizes with your skin to provide all-day hydration and luminous results. With exclusive Mastiha Oil, Madonna Lily Plant Stem Cells, and Vitamin C, it’s a indulgent treat for your skin.
MYSTIQ INFUSED C SERUM:
Last, but not least, Mystiq Infused C Serum brings together the powerful duo of MASQ-tech™ and Cannabidiol. This dynamic synergy soothes, strengthens, and restores your skin to its youthful state. It’s like a protective shield, defending your skin from daily stressors that can trigger or worsen acne.
The Importance of a Skincare Regimen: Harnessing Skin Heroes for Acne
Now, you might be wondering how to incorporate these fabulous products into your skincare routine. Establishing a consistent regimen is crucial when dealing with acne. Let’s dive into a sample routine that incorporates each of these skin heroes:
MORNING ROUTINE:
Start by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any impurities.
Follow up with Ice Balancing Lotion, applying it to your skin to regain balance and control oil production.
Next, apply Bio Hydra Infusion, a powerful serum infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Silver Ear Mushroom Extract, for intense hydration and a supple, smooth complexion.
Complete your morning routine by applying Pro Brite+, a clinically proven serum that brightens the skin and helps prevent dark spots caused by aging, acne, and environmental damage.
Finish with sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
EVENING ROUTINE:
Start by gently cleansing your face to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil.
Apply Pro Retinol Cream to promote smoother, brighter, and younger-looking skin. Remember, retinol is best used at night when you’re least likely to be in the sun.
Follow up with Ice Balancing Lotion to provide lightweight hydration and a matte finish.
Treat your skin with Bio Hydra Infusion, allowing its ultra-hydrating formula to work its magic while you sleep.
Finally, apply Mystiq Infused C Serum, a powerful blend of terpene-rich MASQ-tech™ and Cannabidiol, to soothe, strengthen, and restore your skin’s youthful radiance.
Incorporating these skin heroes into your daily routine can work wonders for your acne-prone skin. However, remember that skincare is not just about the products you apply — it’s about taking care of yourself holistically. Stay hydrated, nourish your body with a balanced diet, and prioritize restful sleep for optimal skin health.
By trusting your esthetician, embracing the skincare regimen that works for you and practicing self-care, you’re well on your way to achieving clear, radiant skin!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.