Skincare I can’t wait to use again
Starting Isotretinoin means that I had to give up a lot of my favourite actives and skincare. Because it makes your skin so much more sensitive than normal, dermatologists recommend avoiding all scrubs, chemical exfoliants, and retinol.
I have found so far that even actives like Vitamin C are making my skin feel even more sensitive than normal. And I have even broken up with my favourite clay masks because now my skin is so dry it has a lot of eczema it is really not seeing any excess oil - a good thing in some ways, but I do miss the ritual of these masks.
So, while I am on Isotretinoin I have had to strip my routine way, way back to just the bare essentials (you can see my current routine here). Actives have been some of my favourite things to learn about and trial over the past few years so I have quite a list of products that I adore and will definitely repurchase. I thought I would share them with you below:
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant that helps to even skin tone and brighten the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Like most Antioxidants, it helps the skin fight free radicals throughout the day - like pollution, stress, and smoke. Vitamin C may even help protect the skin from UV damage when used in tandem with sunscreen during the day. These have been my favourite products over the years to add topical Vitamin C into my morning skincare routine. Serums have always been used in tandem with a hydrating serum.
Retinol:
Retinol or Vitamin A is one of the most amazing ingredients for keeping your skin plump and smooth, and is also known for reducing breakouts. It works by increasing cell turn over to help smooth fine lines and plump the natural collagen within your skin. Vitamin A is also one of the main ingredients in Isotretinoin which is why I cannot use Retinol products in tandem with the medication as I already have more than enough in my body.
Retinol is an incredible active ingredient, but one that you need to slowly and carefully introduce to your skin as it does increase skin sensitivity. It can only be applied at nighttime and you must use sunscreen during the day as it increases sensitivity to the sun. And it is always recommended that you start with a lower percentage product once every two weeks, and build up frequency and product strength overtime. The Boot Lab’s Serum was a perfect starting point for my skin.
AHAs & BHAs:
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants that pack a punch and give excellent results. AHAs include Glycolic, Mandelic, and Lactic acids that break down the ‘glue’ between skin cells to leave your skin glowy and smooth. BHAs are most often Salycilic Acid which oil soluble which means it can penetrate the pore lining and dissolve the clogging inside pores reducing bumps and pimples on the skin’s surface. AHAs and BHAs can be combined, but like with all exfoliants it is best to use them maximum twice a week so that you aren’t over exfoliating and damaging your skin barrier. Lactic Acid and Salycilic Acid are both good choices for people with more sensitive skin.
Clay Masks:
Clay masks have been an almost weekly essential for me over the past two years as they work to draw excess oil from the skin. There are so many different types on the market and I have tried a large chunk of them since high school, these are my four favourite choices but there are a lot more options. Apply to the areas of the skin that you struggle with oil the most, and to amp up the luxury you can put your favourite hydrating mask on any areas the Clay Mask is not on for the same period of time.
Body Scrubs:
There is something so satisfying about using a Body Scrub so I have had one on hand almost always throughout the past decade. Often combined with other ingredients like caffeine, Glycolic Acid, Enzymes, and oils to help hydrate the skin, they leave your skin feeling incredible after a deeply exfoliation and hydration.
