Hi everyone,

For the past year or so, maybe a bit more, I have been struggling with acne. Specifically closed comedones that would turn into bigger bumps because I would pick at them (I know, sorry!) I tried everything! Fungal safe routine, acne products, actives, etc. It seemed like nothing was helping.

About a month ago I switched birth control pills and started incorporating more moisture into my routine (routine will be below). I feel like my skin responds well to moisture! I have noticed my bumps have started to flatten, I don’t get big breakouts anymore, and I’m mostly left with hyper pigmentation and a bit of texture from the CC’s, but definitely not as bad as before. I feel like I’ve made some decent progress, especially since only a month has passed.

Yesterday when I went and got a facial (a chemical peel) she basically said my entire routine was wrong for my skin. She said I should be using a cleanser that is specifically formulated for acne, and that the moisturizers/oils I was using were too rich and heavy for my skin and were just making my acne worse. I’m confused b cause this goes against a lot of what I have read on this sub (repairing moisture barrier, moisturizing and hydrating skin, etc.) and I also feel like my routine was starting to work for me, and now she’s saying I should be doing the complete opposite. Here is what I’m currently using:

AM:

• Mad Hippir Vitamin C Serum

• Stratia Liquid Gold

• FAB Ultra Repair Cream

• Oil if needed (squalane, rose hip or maracuja)

• Edit: La Roche-Posay SPF

PM:

• Oil cleanse with jojoba and castor oil

• Burt’s Bees Cream Cleanser

• The Ordinary Lactic Acid (every other day or every 2 days)

• Stratia Liquid Gold

• FAB URC

• Oil

Side note: I got the peel yesterday and my skin is still so so dry. My normal routine isn’t helping at all! I feel like my skin is cracking 😭

I’m not sure if I should continue with my current routine, or take her advice and try something else.

Does anyone follow Nerida Joy on YouTube? She’s an esthetician and she is very anti foaming cleanser. She says that too many people have surface dry skin (I’m guessing that’s the same as dehydrated?) and that foaming cleansers just make that worse. My facialist is saying the opposite, so I don’t know who to believe.

Any help/advice would be appreciated :)

Edit: Thank you everyone! I will be sticking with my routine. That peel was awful for my skin. It is so dry and feels like it’s going to crack at any minute. I will not be going back!