CLEANSING ACTION. It really does start here! It’s all fun and games loving on your getting-ready and getting-un-ready routine including loving-up different make-up looks until your skin takes a turn for the worst and you get to re-assess and pair things down through process of elimination (or guess-timation) to learn what’s not working and re-implement what will get the job done and get your skin back on track. As a make-up lover and someone who also loves to rock a completely MU-free fresh face – a smooth, even-toned slate (face) is important to me. I feel better this way and show up better in the world as a result.
Since my skin has recently taken a (let’s say temporary) turn for the worst, I feel compelled to share a bit about the cleansers that have worked for me through thick and thin; through glowing, clean-slated, clear, smooth-surfaced, even-toned skin and also through some mysteriously surfacing (likely nutrition-related) and some hormonal & cystic acne.
I also feel a sense of responsibility to share what’s worked, what’s working and what is not working because acne is is PAINFUL – like hurts to touch aside from the shot-confidence part. This topic is a personal one as I was bullied as an adult and publicly shamed due to my acne at age 32 (by an unhappy woman a decade older than me). I’m simply going to thank her for the motivation to never give up on my skincare & MU rituals and to share those rituals with all those who wish.
Business, Life and Skin Tip
Go back to the formula that you know WORKS when something isn’t working: edit from there. This is a general rule of thumb in life: find a formula that works, start implementing new elements and keep them if they work. When things start to go downhill start subtracting elements and/or go back to the initial formula. This works for business (to some degree), relationships and your health, too. It’s back to basics in product regime entirety when acne strikes.
I slowly veered away from my acne “main” (cleanser) that I used from 2012-2017 because my skin had been acne-free and incredible for some time. It felt like a safe idea and it was. In 2017 I started implementing different cleansers and they worked (still do) and I’ve stuck with them.
The Cleanser Line-up for Combination and Acne Prone Skin
1. Laroche-Posay’s Effaclar Gel Cleanser is a foaming, purifying GOD SEND in go-to for acne-ridding cleansers. It’s dermatologist recommended for a reason and you can find it at near any drugstore for a reasonable price tag. It works.
2. Rodan+Fields Redefine Daily Cleansing Mask. This daily cleanser took the place of my Effaclar and worked wonders. You can apply a thin layer or a thick layer of this cleanser and it really does deeply clean and soak up any excess oil WITHOUT bringing a ton of impurities to the surface nor will it leave the skin dry. I’m almost of out this (have used it faithfully for 3 years) and I’m testing out different cleansers so I’m not totally sure I’ll be replacing it. I would definitely still recommend it. Star ingredient: kaolin clay.
3. fresh. Soy Makeup Removing Face Cleanser. I tried this because a friend recommended it. She’s a Skinceuticals lover though has this cleanser on rotation. She noticed I had “tiny bumps” on my face and suggested this ultra-gentle cleanser and voila – the tiny bumps disappeared. This cleanser is incredibly gentle while doing its job. Star ingredient(s): amino acid-rich proteins w/cucumber and rosewater. I’ve used this product for 2 years to date and am keeping it on rotation.
4. FARMACY Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. This is a cleanser I’ve newly introduced into my routine. I am into it about two weeks deep and I LOVE IT. I have long been wanting to try a cleansing balm and this is the one I landed on. It’s soothing, hydrating, does its job. A little goes a long way and it takes even the toughest eye makeup off. I love finishing this cleaning balm cleanse routine off with my new all-time favorite toner – that I’m sure I’ll write a blog post in itself about. I’m literally mind blown at this product combo. It’s actually a 3-product line-up but more on that for another post. Star ingredient(s): tumeric, sunflower oil, papaya enzymes.
Two Important Notes on Cleansers and The Impurities They Pull From Your Skin:
- It’s might be 50% your-doing in contribution to that disrupted skin experience and not 100% the cleanser’s fault. Whoops! Think: your diet, aka nutrition. Sometimes (often times) whatever is being pulled out of your pores that’s triggered by an ingredient in your cleanser is something in your body (system) that wants to leave your system anyway – and in this case, it is just prompted by your cleanser. In my case, I have seriously been over-doing the dairy (I love real cream in my coffee and have only recently substituted it for oat milk) and my French Brie habit is one that could use a little relaxing, too.
- Should the cleanser you are using NOT relax the oil your skin is producing to the degree you wish follow your cleanser with a pore-refining or balancing toner. I’ll do a post/video on toner’s but will recommend this one for now.
So What Should You Buy? If you’re acne-prone and not out of the woods, pick up the Laroche Effaclar. If you want a gentle cleanser and don’t have a lot of excess oil, absolutely choose Farmacy Cleansing Balm! I’m obsessed. The fresh. Soy Cleanser is honestly incredible too if you’re more into a gel and not ready to wrap your head around a balm. If you don’t want to f*ck with a pristine complexion – always consider what ingredients (in your products) might bring extra impurities to the surface that you’re going to get to learn how to manage. It’s all possible ~ and gets to be fun!
Where to shop?
Shop Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm and fresh. Soy at Sephora, shop Effaclar at your local drugstore and for R+F I’m sure you know a friend, my incredible gal is no longer repping as she’s shifted her business focus.
Let me know your favorite and what has worked for you! I’m always open and interested.
Peace and love,
Sloan
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