How I Cleared My Skin Using Clean Skincare
If you've been fortunate enough to never experience the relentless battle for clear skin, consider yourself truly fortunate. My journey with acne started unexpectedly in my early 20's, which I know is a common occurrence for many. The frustration and confusion were overwhelming as I searched for solutions, trying countless products that, unfortunately, exacerbated my skin condition even more.
The most challenging aspect of my quest for clear skin was finding acne-safe skincare that omitted any harmful ingredients. Numerous "medical" and "luxury" skincare brands are notorious for incorporating PFAS, also known as toxic forever chemicals, due to their effective anti-aging properties. My clean living journey is important to me, but the toll my skin was having on my confidence was becoming really problematic. I had to set out to find clean, acne-safe skincare to clear my skin.
While I know everyone’s skin is different, I want to share some clean skincare options that worked wonders for me, in hopes that it can help you too!
Step 1: Cleansers
Bybi Milk Melt ($12.99) & ClearStem Gentle Clean Cleanser ($38 and 15% off with code CLEANLIVING)
I realized pretty early on that the cleansers I was using were going to make a huge difference. Double cleansing was always a part of my routine, however I placed special emphasis on this in my new routine.
Bybi’s milk melt was the only makeup remover I was using that didn’t make me break out. All of the cleansing balms I tried seemed to make my acne worse. Once I began exclusively using Bybi’s I saw a big difference in my skin. Also, my makeup literally slides off my face with this cleanser. I love it.
Clearstem’s GentleClean cleanser was a game changer for me. Clearstem is a clean skincare brand designed for acne-prone skin. I love their products and I swear by this cleanser for clear skin.
Step 2: Serums
Herbivore Moon Fruit ($62) & Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol ($69)
When my acne got bad, I began using any serum I could find, without any real guidance on what would help my skin. This led to my skin being incredibly inflamed, and just angry at all of the different products on my face.
I began working with an esthetician who set me on a skin cycling routine. This included retinol twice a week.
The topic of retinol is highly controversial in the clean beauty space, as it is not something I would classify as clean. However, the distress my skin was causing me was enough to where I would try anything. I began using a low grade retinol and saw a massive change in my skin.
If using retinol, make sure that you do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. Additionally, it is extremely important to protect your skin from the sun.
If you fall into one of these categories, or just aren’t comfortable with a retinol, I highly recommend using bakuchoil. Bakuchoil is a natural skincare ingredient and it is considered a gentler alternative to retinol, making it safe for those who are pregnant. I love Bakuchoil because it is effective at collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improving skin texture without any side effects.
Herbivore’s Moon Fruit Bakuchiol is incredible and I use Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Treatment 2xs a week.
Step 3: Moisturizer
If you follow me on any of my social media accounts, you already know what I am about to say.
DAMDAM’s Mochi Mochi Moisturizer absolutely changed my skin. I don’t have enough positive words to say about it and I highly recommend if you are looking for an ultra-hydrating moisturizer without any pore clogging ingredients.
Step 4: Masks
I was advised by my esthetician to keep it really simple when it came to masks.
I began using Goldfaden MD’s Facial Detox Masks and it cleared the congestion out of my face tremendously. Whenever I feel my skin is clogged, I use this and see a huge difference.
While I know this is on the pricier side, I think it is worth every penny.
Step 5: Treatments
LightStim for Acne ($169) & Houzzi High Frequency Skin Therapy Wand ($49)
The main focus of my skincare routine is simplifying and reducing the number of products that I use on my face. Therefore, my esthetician recommended these two tools to add to my regimen.
The first is the LightStim Acne wand, which combined red and blue light to kill bacteria and clear acne. I would argue this is the most beneficial thing I have integrated into my skincare routine. It truly works wonders and prevents breakouts when used routinely.
The second is a High Frequency Skincare Wand which I use to treat any blemishes I have. It uses high-frequency electrical currents to treat skin issues and promote clearer skin. When applied to the skin, the wand produces a gentle, electrical current that generates oxygen molecules. It’s important to adhere to the directions carefully, but I love zapping any pimples I have and it is painless.
Step 6: SPF
Kosas DreamBeam SPF ($40)
I’m ashamed to admit that prior to my skin issues, SPF was never part of my routine. Now, I cannot miss a day and even reapply throughout the day.
Clean SPF options were always tough for me and I struggled to find an option that didn’t include a white cast or pilled under makeup.
DreamBeam from Kosas put that all to shame. It is glowy, hydrating, and looks incredible under makeup. It is the perfect addition to my skincare routine and I use this religiously now.
A Final Note
While this routine has been life changing for me, everyone’s skin is different. I highly recommend finding an esthetician you trust to help guide you on what products to be using and when. It is extremely difficult to determine this on your own and can make your skin worse.
I love ClearStem for clean skincare options I believe everyone can find products that will work for them on their site. I have a 15% off code (CLEANLIVING) for those who are interested. They have amazing, highly informative social media accounts as well where you can learn a lot about potential acne triggers.
All of these products are incredible but I would love to hear of any products that worked for you. Feel free to message me on Instagram with any recommendations or comments!