If you have been desperately searching for skincare for acne-prone sensitive skin, it’s your lucky day!
I’ve shared before about how you can put together a skincare routine that meets your skin’s needs. But today, I’ll cover my own updated(!!!) skincare routine that I’ve developed using this process.
My skin is extremely sensitive, dry, and acne-prone (such a fun combo!), so my very first requirement is that everything I put on my face must be non-irritating. Then, I walk the tightrope between preventing breakouts and hydrating my Sahara-dry cheeks.
Before we dive in to the products, a few PSAs:
First, please remember that these are just the products that work for my particular skin. There’s no guarantee that your skin will love these products, so don’t come at me if you have oily skin and think my favorite moisturizer is too heavy.
Second, please take your own budget and lifestyle into account as you read this. I have the patience for multiple skincare steps, and I’m willing to devote some money toward my finicky skin. Your skin might thrive on a no-frills routine, or you might not be able to prioritize skincare in your budget. No problem. None of this is required. Do what works for you.
Now, here is my skincare routine for sensitive, acne-prone skin. It keeps my skin calm, clear, and hydrated – even in winter.
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Morning skincare Routine for acne-prone sensitive skin
Cleanse:
Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser. On mornings I work out, I cleanse with this is a lovely, gentle cream cleanser that doesn’t further dry out or irritate my skin. (P.S. If your skin is chronically dry, your cleanser might be to blame! Try switching out your cleanser for something more hydrating – look for something that doesn’t foam or lather.) I ignore the directions on the bottle and instead massage it into my face, then wipe it off with a warm, damp washcloth. I really like these facial washcloths for that purpose. Do you need them? Perhaps not. But I like having designated towels just for my face. Plus, they’re crazy soft and don’t shed tiny fuzz balls.
However, I don’t wash my face with cleanser every morning. If I’m not sweaty or my face is feeling especially dry, I just rinse with water.
Spray
Avene Thermal Spring Water. Okay, so honestly this is French water in a spray can. I don’t know that it does anything that a splash of tap water couldn’t do, really. But it makes me feel fancy, and damp skin absorbs products better.
Treat:
Vichy Mineral 89 Fortifying and Hydrating Daily Skin Booster. This serum feels like a giant drink of water for your skin. It has hyaluronic acid for lots of added hydration, and the other ingredients are minimal and very gentle. It’s also not sticky at all, it sinks in quickly, and it plays well with other products. Love it.
Moisturize:
Avene Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream or Balm. At long last, I have found moisturizers that I actually love. Avene’s Xeracalm product line is recommended for patients with eczema and is safe to use on infants, so it’s gentle enough for me, too! I keep both the cream and balm in my arsenal, as both products help heal my dryness without causing breakouts. The cream is amazing when it’s warmer or more humid – it’s a little lighter but still incredibly moisturizing, and it soaks in quickly. If you have anything but the driest of skin, you could use it year-round (and I did for years)! The balm, which is a newer discovery for me, is definitely thicker and a little waxier in texture, but it’s exactly what my skin needs in the dead of winter. I also dot moisturizer under my eyes with my ring finger instead of using eye cream.
Protect:
Pipette SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen. I struggled for literal years to find a moisturizer with SPF that I liked, so my dermatologist recommended getting a separate mineral sunscreen and layering it over my regular moisturizer. I’ve had very good luck with Pipette’s mineral sunscreen. It’s technically for babies, but that means it’s extra gentle and not drying at all. It also doesn’t leave a white cast on me – though let’s be real, I’m so pale that no one would notice if it did. I slather this everywhere, including around my eyes and eyelids (you need sun protection there, too!), on my neck, and on the backs of my hands. Only caveat is that this is not water resistant, so wear something else if you’re going to be sweating or swimming.
Evening skincare Routine for acne-prone sensitive skin
Evenings are where I rotate through a wider variety of products.
Cleanse:
Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser. I have not found a designated makeup remover or oil cleanser my skin doesn’t hate, so I do a double cleanse with the cleansing lotion to get everything off. (That literally just means I wash my face twice.) If my eye makeup is stubborn, gently using one of these facial washcloths typically takes it right off.
Spray
Avene Thermal Spring Water. More fancy water!
Exfoliate/Treat:
I have three options for this step.
Option 1: Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream. Retinol is the scientifically-proven gold standard for anti-aging skincare, but it also is effective at zapping acne. As I’m nearing 30, I appreciate the double whammy. I use this twice a week, and it has made a huge difference for stubborn zits that wouldn’t clear up any other way. Wrinkle prevention is TBD – ask me in 10 years.
(A warning if you’ve never used retinol before – GO SLOW. Try adding it once per week then very slowly building up. And use sunscreen!!! Retinol makes you more susceptible to sunburn.)
Option 2: Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid 10% Booster. This product is safe for sensitive skin but effective at preventing breakouts, healing scars, and reducing redness. Most days when I’m not using retinol, I apply the azelaic acid booster all over, focusing especially around my mouth and chin where my skin gets most congested.
Option 3: Another round of Vichy Mineral 89 Fortifying and Hydrating Daily Skin Booster if my skin needs a day off.
BONUS: The other products do a great job at preventing most nasty breakouts, but if I do get an active, gross zit, I’ll soak a cotton pad in Farmacy 2% BHA toner and hold it over the spot until it stops oozing. This dries everything out and seems to help the zit heal faster.
Moisturize:
More Avene Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream or Balm. If I’m really exceptionally dry or flaky, I’ll dot the tiniest amount of Good Molecules Ultra Hydrating Facial Oil on top of the moisturizer to seal everything in.
And that’s it! I’ve been working with this exact skincare routine for over 6 months now, and it’s been great! I have no plans to change anything until my skin tells me I need to.
Looking for more recommendations?
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