Clear Skin Awaits You

Understanding Acne & Taking Control of Your Skin

June is Acne Awareness Month—a perfect time to break down the real causes of acne, explore what works (and what doesn’t), and share how my acne program is helping clients get clear, healthy skin. If you know someone struggling with acne, please forward this to them. It's a confidence booster!

My acne program is designed to guide you through every phase

of your skin-clearing journey, combining expert guidance with customized product regimens.

Here’s what’s included:

•  In-depth consultation: Identifying your acne type, triggers, and current habits.

•  Customized product plan: Professional-grade products that evolve with your skin. Bring in your old (even drug store ones) and receive 10% off new acne-safe products

• Check-ins & Acne Treatments: Every 2-4 weeks to adjust as needed.

• Lifestyle & diet tips: To support your skin from the inside out.

Most clients start seeing results in 6–12 weeks, depending on the severity and consistency.

What Causes Acne?

Acne isn’t just a “teen problem” or the result of bad hygiene. It’s often the result of several overlapping triggers:

• Clogged pores (impacted with dead skin and oil)

• Excess oil production

• Acne bacteria (C. acnes)

• Inflammation

• Hormonal imbalances

• Lifestyle and product triggers (diet, pore-clogging ingredients, stress)

Understanding your type of acne and what’s causing it is the first step to creating a plan that works.

Final Thoughts: here’s no one-size-fits-all solution to acne, but there is a proven system that works when personalized to your skin. If you're struggling with breakouts, I’m here to help you navigate your skin confidently, with caring professional support.

 10 Simple Habits That Support Clearer Skin

1. Double cleanse at night.

Cleansing twice—first to remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt & oil, then to deeply clean—ensures your skin is free of buildup that can clog pores overnight.

2. Wash your face after you shampoo and condition when showering.

Hair products can leave residue that transfers to your skin and clogs pores.

3. Use a clean towel just for your face.

Shared or used hand towels can harbor bacteria and oils. A clean, dedicated face towel reduces the risk of contamination.

4. Don’t pick, touch, or squeeze breakouts. Picking introduces more bacteria, increases inflammation, and raises the risk of scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

5. Keep your hands off your face.

Touching your face throughout the day transfers oil, bacteria, and debris from your hands to your skin, potentially triggering breakouts.

6. Clean your phone regularly.

Your phone touches multiple surfaces and your face. Wiping it down with alcohol or a screen-safe cleanser can reduce acne-causing bacteria.

7. Change your pillowcase often.

Oils, bacteria, and product residue accumulate quickly. Changing your pillowcase weekly keeps your sleep surface cleaner.

8. Wash makeup brushes and sponges weekly.

These tools collect makeup, oil, and bacteria over time. Regular cleaning helps prevent clogged pores and breakouts.

9. Be gentle with exfoliation.

Over-exfoliating or using harsh scrubs can damage your skin barrier and cause irritation. Stick to gentle, chemical or soft physical exfoliants.

10. Shower promptly after sweating.

Sweat mixed with oil and bacteria can sit on the skin and clog pores. Cleansing after workouts helps prevent body and breakouts.

 Understanding Acne-Fighting Ingredients (OTC Edition)

Ever wonder what those ingredients on the shelf actually do? Here's a quick breakdown:

Benzoyl Peroxide

• What it treats: Inflamed acne (papules, pustules, cysts)

• What it does: Kills acne bacteria, reduces inflammation

• Tip: Can be drying—use a non-comedogenic moisturizer alongside.

Salicylic Acid (BHA)

• What it treats: Blackheads, clogged pores, light inflamed acne

• What it does: Exfoliates inside the pore, helps keep them clear

• Tip: Ideal for oily skin types prone to congestion.

Adapalene/Tretinoin

• What it treats: Comedonal acne, inflammatory acne

• What it does: A topical retinoid that increases cell turnover and reduces inflammation

• Tip: Start slowly to reduce irritation; apply moisturizer first if needed.

Mandelic Acid (AHA)

• What it treats: Clogged pores, inflamed acne, post-acne discoloration

• What it does: Gently exfoliates the skin and has antibacterial and brightening properties

• Tip: Great for sensitive skin and deeper skin tones prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

Sulfur

• What it treats: Red, inflamed pimples and oiliness

• What it does: Absorbs oil, mildly antibacterial, and helps exfoliate

• Tip: Often found in masks and spot treatments.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs – Glycolic/Lactic)

• What they treat: Post-acne marks, surface congestion, dullness

• What they do: Exfoliate surface skin to promote clarity and smooth texture

• Tip: Helps with uneven skin tone left after breakouts.

Tea Tree Oil

• What it treats: Mild to moderate inflamed acne

• What it does: A natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory essential oil that can reduce redness and bacteria

• Tip: Use with caution—essential oils can irritate or sensitize skin if not diluted properly. Not ideal for cystic or severe acne.

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