Angry Skin
I’ve always believed that I am an acquired taste. Like cilantro, I tend to elicit strong reactions from people—some quite positive and some remarkably negative. I’m a lot; I accept that, and I understand that it’s going to turn some people off. All this to say, I’ve dealt with my fair share of spitefulness and anger.
At this point, I’m pretty good at brushing any negativity off and staying above it, but there is one specific situation that irks me to no avail: when said anger comes from my own skin. The gall! I treat her with love, kindness, and expensive products. But my skin’s one nasty bitch sometimes.
Here’s the issue. Both in life and on your face, our initial response is usually to fight back hard—with words or fists or harsh chemical exfoliants. This is almost never the best approach, especially when it comes to skin. For the most part, I try to keep my routine the same (angry skin does not respond well to sudden changes). If I’m going to fight, I’m going to fight smart and calmly. The key here is thoughtful treatment and nourishment. Here’s how I do it.
Rapid Response Detox Cleanser, Renée Rouleau; $41.50
I could (and have) wax poetic about this cleanser and the things it has done for my skin. I use this most nights, but when I’m feeling particularly pimply, I make a point to leave it on for around 2-5 minutes before washing off. It has made a significant difference in not only how much acne I get but also how long said acne takes to recover.
Toleriane Ultra Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin*, La Roche-Posay; $29.99
Angry skin is similar to hormonal teenagers in that they’re both incredibly sensitive and constantly on the precipice of a major meltdown. That’s why an ultra gentle, ultra loving moisturizer is key here. I love this one from La Roche-Posay. It’s super simple, which is exactly why it’s so great.
Face Hero, Go-To Skincare; $34
Remember, the plan is not one of attack but one of care and support. Contrary to popular belief, most oils will not cause acne (or increase oil production). Face Hero is a beautiful oil—it’s on the heavier side, and you can really feel it sink into your skin. It’s even somehow helped with my acne.
Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin, Origins; $27
I allow myself one panic mask when I’ve got a face-mergency. I’ve been reaching for this one lately, which is packed with natural troubleshooters, zinc oxide and sulfur, and calming camphor. I apply to my T-zone and let sit for the recommended ten minutes. After rinsing, I’m left with visibly less red, inflamed skin than before.
Anti Bump Solution*, Renée Rouleau; $49.50
Beauty Editors love this shit. It’s one of the few (maybe even only) serums that directly targets cysts—and actually works. I use this as a spot treatment whenever I feel one of those deep, under the skin bad boys coming. It makes recovery 50% quicker (if not more). If you can’t get cortisone injections on the reg (which, who can?), this is essential.
Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots, Peace Out; $19
All pimple patches are kind of similar. I like these because they stay on my face (unlike others, which end up in my hair, on my sheets, etc.) and they have the added bonus of salicylic acid (unlike others, which are strictly hydrocolloid). I’m obsessed with peeling them off and looking at the nasty goo that it sucked out of my face.
Hydro-Stars Starter Pack*, Starface; $18.29
If I’m not wearing makeup during the day, I like to wear these patches. They’re cute and less meh than the standard, and even if they don’t get anything out, they stop me from picking at my face and causing further irritation.
Daytime Blemish Gel, Renée Rouleau; $39.50
Full disclosure, this is a new find for me. As in, I got it last week new. That being said, I’ve been searching for something exactly like this for a while now, and I’m loving it so far. This soothing formula creates an invisible seal over blemishes to prevent dirt, debris, and makeup from getting into it. Genius! It goes on clear and calms surface irritation while reducing redness and flakiness, allowing makeup to smoothly cover the spot.
I always feel a little guilty caking makeup on top of an already irritated zit, knowing it’s probably going to make things worse in the long run. Enter: this concealer. Idon’t know why more brands aren’t making concealers like this! It’s essentially just a spot treatment with pigment, which makes me feel like I’m not doing something completely horrible to my zits.
Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment, Gel*, Origins; $19
I’m not a huge spot treatment gal. I think a lot of people hate spot treatments, because they have unrealistic expectations. Nothing will ever heal a pimple overnight—reality of the situation is that’s just not happening. People also end up slathering on spot treatments to such an excess that they end up with a dreaded dry patch. I use them sparingly, on nights when I am not using a pimple patch. I like this one from Origins, which features saw palmetto and 1.5% salicylic acid. It creates a film over blemishes that’s weirdly satisfying to me.
Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment*, La Roche-Posay; $19.99
I also love spot treatment from La Roche-Posay. It’s the only acne treatment available with micronized benzoyl peroxide and lipo hydroxy acid to treat acne deep within the skin. There’s nothing else for me to really say about this product other than, it works and it has never left surrounding skin dry or irritated.
Post-Breakout Fading Gel, Renée Rouleau; $41.50
I’m the (self-appointed) queen of post-acne hyperpigmentation, and I rule with an iron fist. Once a zit is fully healed, I’ll wait a day or two to be safe (because I’m smart), and then start using this as a spot treatment for a few days. It simply speeds up the spot fading process.
Healing Ointment, Aquaphor; $5.89
I will leave you with this tip: a liiiittle (I’m talking pea-sized amount or less) bit of Aquaphor (or a similar petroleum-based product) never hurts. It actually often helps, especially when it comes to dry, angry skin. Just be sure to use a small amount, and you’re golden.
