From Accutane to Skinceuticals

My grandmother was obsessed with acne and making sure, as soon as a pimple appeared, it was pushed, pressed, and toyed with until it popped, and unfortunately, she passed this along to me and my siblings. When we entered our teenage years and began growing pimples, her nerves were set on fire. She trooped us down the drugstore aisle one at a time, picking out acid washes, metal zit popping tools, and harsh anti-acne creams.

Everyday, we went to school with tight, dry skin that somehow never got better. Looking back, I wish the standard was lower for starting medicine for acne, but at the time you had to have pretty much a cystic acne diagnosis or acne so bad it covered "a majority of the face and or back". Nowadays, it seems any and everyone start taking meds as soon as they get their first pimple.

My older sister was the first in our family to take Accutane, a very strong prescription medicine for acne, and after two rounds, had acne free skin that had erased most of the scarring save for the worst. It was, for someone who was already dealing with a lot, a literal miracle.

As the next one in our family with really bad acne, I was eager to get my hands on the paper pamphlets of pills and start my journey to clear skin. Only those who have or continue to suffer from intense acne, scarring, and pitting, understand what its like to dream of clear skin. And clear skin I did receive. After three months of treatment, dry skin that flaked off as I walked the hallways at school, and regular blood draws, I finally had clear skin.

Luckily for me, my amazing dermatologist Dr. Pepper (that's literally her name), taught me everything I needed to know about keeping my skin clear and how to maintain skin that had been completely altered by a drug.

The following list of skincare products are products I swear by and have used for at least three years regularly, most must longer than that, so I stand by each and every one.

Face Wash

Clean skin is the foundation for clear skin, and that doesn't mean you have to strip your skin every time you wash. In fact, stripping the skin is NOT the point of cleansing, so unless you have been instructed to use a medical cleanser or a super strong stripping cleanser by your derm, steer clear of these. I alternate between the following cleansers depending on how my skin is feeling.

1. 

   Peter Thomas Roth Anti Aging Cleansing Gel

   This has been my ride-or-die clarifying wash for years whenever my skin feels dull or congested. The glycolic and salicylic acid combo gives you an incredible micro-exfoliation without stripping your moisture barrier completely bare. It leaves my face feeling insanely clean, smooth, and visibly brightened right out of the shower. I always keep a bottle in my shower rotation because nothing else tackles texture quite like it.

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Toners

I like to keep things simple, but one thing I learned about cleansing from Dr. Pepper is that face washes don't get everything unless really scrubbed in everywhere, so for those who like to add an extra cleansing and prep step, here are a few toners I keep on hand for those times I need an extra boost of moisture or clean feeling.

1. 

   SOME BY MI 30 Days AHA, BHA, PHA Miracle Toner

   Don't let the "30 Days" claim trick you into thinking it's a temporary fix. I've been using this liquid gold consistently to keep my skin cycle on track. The gentle trio of acids sloughs off dead skin cells while tea tree water calms any underlying redness almost instantly. It delivers a serious gentle chemical exfoliation that smooths stubborn texture without causing irritation or peeling. It’s an absolute lifesaver for keeping pores clear and refined.

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Serums

Skim through Instagram and you will see thousands of "skinfluencers" covering their faces in four, five, sometimes six serums or more. This is a tried and true way to overwhelm your dermis and cause more clogged pores and possible negative product on product reactions. Here are three serums I cycle through daily depending on the day and time.

1. 

   The Ordinary GF 15% Serum

   ’ve relied on this potent formulation to keep my skin looking plump, firm, and resilient over the long haul. The high concentration of growth factor technologies works behind the scenes to support natural cell renewal and skin density. It glides on weightlessly and absorbs in seconds, making it seamless to layer under heavier creams or oils. My overall elasticity and texture have improved dramatically since making this a regular staple.

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Moisturizers & SPF

The ultimate protection comes from moisturizing with SPF. If you want to keep everything super simple, just cleanse and moisturize daily but you have to make sure you are including an SPF, even if it's not super sunny out. Anti-aging and skin protection starts with preventing excess sun exposure, so make sure you give your skin the care it needs. I use two moisturizers daily, and two different sunscreens depending on what I am doing that day.

1. 

   Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skinjection Moisture Infusion Cream

   When I want an instant moisture, this heavy-hitting cream is the exact jar I reach for. Packed with advanced signal peptides, it visibly relaxes the appearance of expression lines while wrapping the skin in rich moisture. It melts in effortlessly without feeling heavy, leaving behind a velvety, bouncy finish that looks completely refreshed. It has done absolute wonders for softening the fine lines around my forehead and mouth and it's a nice middle ground between a light oil-free cream and a thick moisturizer.

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3. 

   Kiehl's UV Sunscreen Serum

   I am notoriously picky about daily SPF, but this serum-hydrator hybrid won me over on day one and remains a daily non-negotiable. It delivers broad-spectrum protection in an ultra-lightweight, invisible formula that never leaves a white cast or greasy film and seeps right in. It blends like a dream under makeup and keeps my skin feeling hydrated throughout the entire day. Protecting my skin barrier has never felt this effortless or comfortable and there has never been an easier SPF to apply!

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Masks & Treatments

For a little extra care at night, or as a treat to yourself and your skin, here are a few masks and treatments I love to do at home or a local spa I frequent with stellar estheticians.

1. 

   LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask

   I have lost count of how many tubs of this overnight hydration mask I have gone through over the years. You slather a generous layer on before bed, and its probiotic-derived complex works overnight to deeply recharge tired skin. I always wake up to a plump, glowing, and deeply hydrated complexion no matter how little sleep I actually got. It’s my go-to safety net after long flights or chaotic weeks.

2. 

   Regular facials

   Investing in a regular monthly facial with a trusted esthetician is one of the most effective ways to elevate your skincare routine from maintenance to transformation. While daily home care keeps your skin baseline healthy, a professional skin therapist can analyze how your barrier changes with the seasons, stress, and hormonal shifts, tailoring targeted treatments that simply can't be replicated at home. Furthermore, professional-grade exfoliation, high-potency active ingredients, and deep extraction methods accelerate cell turnover, clearing congestion before it becomes stubborn texture or deep-set breakouts. Beyond the immediate post-facial glow, building a long-term relationship with an expert ensures your skin care strategy evolves accurately alongside your skin’s changing needs, making it a proactive investment in your long-term skin health.

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