What is best for my skin?

[kbryant1126]

I am 21 and am struggling with blemishes. I do not have a severe acne problem, but I always have several blemishes usually on my forehead or chin area. I also have combination skin on the dry side and unfortunately, most products designed for acne are drying. I currently use the kiss cleanser, microdermabrasion cream, switch between the aha and bha toners, switch between awesome sauce and oatmeal serums, and the hemp moisturizer. I wash my face with this routine every night and use the mineral foundation, but it seems like even though I am doing everything right that I can think of, the blemishes keep on coming. I also find that these products don't seem quite moisturizing enough, but im afraid to use something more oily in fear that it will make the acne even worse. Is this a good routine for my skin? Any ideas on how I can solve this acne problem? Please help...

[JenW]

I am 21 and am struggling with blemishes. I do not have a severe acne problem, but I always have several blemishes usually on my forehead or chin area. I also have combination skin on the dry side and unfortunately, most products designed for acne are drying. I currently use the kiss cleanser, microdermabrasion cream, switch between the aha and bha toners, switch between awesome sauce and oatmeal serums, and the hemp moisturizer. I wash my face with this routine every night and use the mineral foundation, but it seems like even though I am doing everything right that I can think of, the blemishes keep on coming. I also find that these products don't seem quite moisturizing enough, but im afraid to use something more oily in fear that it will make the acne even worse. Is this a good routine for my skin? Any ideas on how I can solve this acne problem? Please help...

Skip the AHA. It is overkill for someone your age to use both a topical chemical exfoliation and manual exfoliation. Start up the AHA some time in your late 20s/early 30s. How often are you using the BHA? Every other night is not out of the question, leading up to every night. Manual exfoliation twice a week, and not on the days you use BHA. It sounds like you might be trying to do too much too soon. Try layering Oatmeal and Awesome Sauce both am and pm after cleansing. Maybe even try replacing the Awesome Sauce with the Vitamin C Peptide serum once you run out of what you have....

[kbryant1126]

I use the kiss cleanser every night, the microdermabrasion cream every 2-3 days. I switch between the aha and bha monthly I use it every night, but never at the same time. I usually use the awesome sauce, but i use the oatmeal serum every few days. Then I use the hemp moisturizer at night and in the morning before i put my make up on. I hope that answers all of your questions. What do u think is the best routine now that you know a little more?

[kbryant1126]

Also, do you think I should use something more moisturizing than the hemp? Or do u think it will make my acne worse? Because even when I use the syrum and the moisturizer, my skin still tends to be on the dry side

[JenW]

I still think you should skip the AHA. It does not help acne much and I think you are over-exfoliating your skin for someone so young. It could be part of the problem with your skin overproducing oil. Our skin does that when it is trying to protect itself. AHA works to exfoliate the surface of your skin. You only need exfoliation a few times a week. Manual exfoliation should be enough. Use the BHA consistently from month to month. It is the exfoliator that works inside the pores to clear them out. It is the one that helps with acne.

Serum will hydrate the skin to keep it from producing so much oil. Use Oatmeal Serum 2 times a day.

am:
KISS Cleanser
Oatmeal Serum: this is where you get the bulk of the hydration for your skin other than drinking water. Do not skip this.
Maybe Awesome Sauce
Hemp Moisturizer: really only seals in the hydration from the serums before it.
Makeup

pm:
KISS Cleanser
BHA : No AHA. Over exfoliation could be contributing to overproducing oil.
Awesome Sauce
Oatmeal Serum
Hemp Moisturizer

Exfoliation with Microdermabrasion Cream every few days...maybe in the am if you are using BHA every night.

[kbryant1126]

Ok thank you so much for your good advice and quick response!