Skincare Update: My Adult Acne Skincare Routine

My updated adult acne skincare routine for healthy, glowing skin

Once I hit my 30s I thought I never had to deal with acne again! It would be very rare for me to get a pimple or breakout – maybe just once every few months. And I happily said good-bye to my many of acne skincare products.

Well about 6 months ago I got off the pill after being on it for a number of years. And this was a huge change for my body. My skin, hair, and mood were all effected.

As my body was adjusting to the hormonal changes, I’ve been breaking out and getting hormonal adult acne on my chin, cheeks, and back. It’s been terrible and a whole new struggle to deal with. But I knew in the long term it was the best thing for my body.

Since then, I’ve made some changes to entire skincare routine. And it’s been about 6 months of trail and error for me to find out what would for my adult acne.

Now that I’m on a good acne skincare routine I wanted to share some of the best over the counter acne treatments for adults, and some tips on how to help with acne in case some you are struggling with adult acne as well.

Best Cleansers for Adult Acne

AM Cleansing Routine: Skinbetter Oxygen Infusion Wash and Dermalogica Microfoliant

PM Cleansing Routine: Double Cleanse with Shu Uemura Sublim8 Cleansing Oil and Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser

When building my new adult acne skincare routine, becoming more diligent my cleansing habits were one of the things that made the biggest impact for me.

With the hormonal changes, my skin had becoming oiler and felt more congested. I found that keeping my skin clean, as well as freshly exfoliated helped to stave off break outs.

As part of my acne skincare routine, I would do a double cleanse both morning and night.

In the morning, my first step would be to cleanse with Skinbetter Oxygen Infusion Wash. It a great face wash for normal to oily skin with alpha hydroxy acids and an infusion of oxygen to brighten skin and deep cleans pores.

Then I would follow it with the Dermalogica Microfoliant. This is one of my holy grail skincare products! This a gentle rice-based powder cleanser that exfoliates skin while visibly brightening, smoothing texture, and clearing clogged pores.

For my evening skincare routine, I would start with an oil cleanser to help remove the makeup from the day. My current fave is the Shu Uemura Ultim8 Cleansing Oil. It has a velvety texture that melts off makeup and leaves skin soft and nourished.

Then I follow this with the Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser. It’s gentle cleanser that gets rid of all the grime from the day without stripping my skin.

Skincare Serums I’m using

AM Skincare Routine: Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Skin Concentrate, Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C,

PM Skincare Routine: Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Skin Concentrate, Dermalogica AGE Bright Clearing Serum, Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil (every other day)

Dermalogica AGE Bright Clearing Serum

The AGE Bright Clearing Serum is an adult acne product that targets both acne and anti aging. It helps prevent breakouts, while reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, plus it helps with the scarring left behind after breakouts which is one of the things I struggle with most.

Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil

Every other night, I also use the Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil (which I’ve also posted about here). It’s one the best anti-aging and acne skincare routine products and I highly recommend it.

This serum combines Salicylic Acid and Retinol to help treat both signs of aging as well as breakouts in one skin soothing formula. And because it’s an dry-oil based formula it’s much more gentle than traditional retinols.

Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C

Regardless of if you have adult acne or not, Vitamin C serum is a must for any skincare routine. It’s an antioxidant that helps to brighten the skin and protect it from environmental aggressors.

Check out my this post where I do deep dive on Vitamin C Serums and all its benefits for skin.

I’m currently been using Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C. It’s a natural skincare brand I’ve been lovely lately!

The serum has a nice light texture, and it contains hyaluronic acid to give my skin boost of hydration that’s much needed in the cold winter months.

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Skin Concentrate

Since I’ve added the Ultimune Power Infusing Skin Concentrate to my skincare routine, my skin that just looks healthier and has great glow! It has the ability to boost circulation and contains ingredients to help improve smoothness, radiance and resilience.

Now this isn’t an skincare product for acne, but it is one that helps with overall skin health. I put it on both day and night right after I cleanse, and I’ve seen a huge difference in my skin both in texture and glow since I’ve started using it.

Anti-Aging Moisturizers for Acne Prone Skin

AM Moisturizer: Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50

PM Moisturizer: Vivier GrenzCine Face

For my AM skincare routine, I’ve been using using the Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50. It’s a one step medium weight moisturizer and sunscreen which is perfect for the colder weather when my skin is drier.

It has a no sunscreen feel and it’s gentle on my acne prone and sensitive skin while combating the signs of aging with antioxidants and peptides.

In the PM, I’ve been using the Vivier GrenzCine Face which is a concentrated face cream that hydrates and firms the skin while increasing luminosity.

I love that it’s on the lighter side when it comes to texture, but packs the combines the power of Polyamine-DAB, Vitamin C and Activ8 Complex for a multi-layer and multi-function approach to aging skin.

Healthy Makeup for Acne Prone Skin

For my face makeup I’ve switched entirely to Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup. On a day to day basis, use either PurePressed Mineral Powder Foundation and BB cream. While my skin tolerated almost any foundation before, but now wearing anything else for a full day would result in clogged pores or breakouts.

I’ve actually been a long time user of Jane Iredale’s Pure Pressed mineral powder foundation, but as a makeup junkie I love trying all different foundations. However if you’re acne prone, or just want a makeup brand that’s actually good for your skin, I’d highly recommend Jane Iredale.

They use pure mineral pigments so you get amazing coverage with the smallest amount of product. Additional their products are non comedogenic, cruelty free and great for sensitive skin types.

Though I’m not completely free my adult acne, my breakouts have been much more manageable since I’ve gotten into a good skincare routine. Hope these acne skincare products can help your struggle with acne. And if you have any skincare recommendations I’d love to hear them in the comments below!

More beauty posts:

• How to Cover Dark Under Eye Circles in 3 Easy Steps
• Facial Oils for Gua Sha
• 25 Bio-Oil Uses & Benefits You Didn’t Know About
• Best Face Oils with Vitamin C
• Best Natural Face Moisturizers for Glowing Skin
• Winter Skincare Survival Guide
• Thermage Before and After
• Best Sunscreens for Face
• I Used Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel for 14 Days and This Is What Happened
• How to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation

XOXO,