My Dermatologist Prescribed Clear Skin Care

[Please be advised that some of the links provided are affiliate links and I do receive a small commission if you make a purchase using those links]

I FINALLY have clear skin. This has been such a long journey, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the skin I’m in. Any acne sufferer can attest to the kick in the face you take every day you wake up with pimples all over your face. The struggle of trying new products, hoping they work, and trying to not feel disappointed when the new products do not work miracles. The struggle of trying anything because why not? I went to a dermatologist in the past, and I now know that the Doctor I saw did not give me a full routine. I decided to share my success to give hope and a push to those in the struggle, but first, let’s rewind.

My Clear Skin Routine

I never had acne as a teenager, instead, the whiteheads and blackheads reared their ugly head at the age of 20. Meaning, I have struggled with hormonal acne for over 10 years. There have been times when my skin was better than others, but I always dealt with pimples (not singular) somewhere on my face. Luckily, I did not deal with cystic acne for long, but I had plenty of acne under and over my skin. In my previous dermatologic experience, the doctor prescribed me .05% tretinoin and hydroquinone, told me to apply every night, and that was it! Of course, not knowing any better, I used as directed and was met with flaking skin, hyperpigmentation, and an increase in acne due to irritation and inflammation. That ordeal really made me leery of dermatologists, and it took several years for my skin to recover from that experience.

For the past couple of years, my skin has behaved fairly well with small raised under the skin bumps and fewer pimples. Honestly, I was happy with where my skin was because it was the best my skin looked in years. However, my partner visited a dermatologist earlier this year and had a great experience, so I decided to give her a try. My experience was completely different this time around. Instead of just giving my skin a once over and prescribing product, the Doctor began by asking about my skin history. She discussed the products I was currently using, and then prescribed me Retin-A micro. Alongside Retin-A Micro, she emphasized the importance of fragrance-free gentle products and sunscreen as part of a healthy skincare routine.

The Prescription

I was given specific instructions to ease my way into using Retin-A Micro .06% daily in order to minimize peeling over the first four weeks. The goal was to apply Retin-A micro every night to maximize results. I was told to expect the acne to get worse, expect my skin to peel, and to expect a feeling of dryness. However, we discussed a full skincare routine to help support the use of Retin-A and to minimize peeling and dryness. After discussing what products have worked for me in the past alongside ingredients to look for and avoid, we settled on the La Roche Posay Toleriane line of products.

My morning skincare routine is focused on cleansing my skin, treating the acne, and protection from UVA and UVB rays. My evening skincare routine is about minimizing inflammation, rejuvenation, and resurfacing the skin. I was also given a cream to spot treat any pimples that might pop up. To mitigate the dry skin, I chose one lighter moisturizer and one heavy moisturizer but mostly mentally prepared myself to deal with peeling skin.

Morning Routine:

Le Roche Posay Micellar Cleansing Water for Sensitive Skin – I apply this with a cotton square first thing in the morning before exercise. If I do not exercise, I do not use this product. This Micellar Water is so very gentle, soothing, and even moisturizing.

Le Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser – My love for this cleanser began in 2017, and my dermatologist definitely approved of this choice. This is a gentle cream cleanser that I use both morning and evening to cleanse my face. The doctor instructed me to apply to damp skin and move around with my fingertips for one minute before rinsing thoroughly.

Onexton – This benzoyl peroxide solution is a spot treatment that I apply in the mornings on clean skin to quickly deal with any pimples. My doctor did inform me that it is imperative I apply sunscreen when using benzoyl peroxide.

Le Roche Posay Toleriane Fluide Soothing Protective Moisturizer – Then, I apply this lightweight moisturizer to slightly damp skin. This is a very light moisturizer perfect for oily or combination skin. I do not think this moisturizer is rich enough for dry skin, but it’s perfect under my sunscreen.

Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum Spf 46 – I apply a full pump to clean moisturized skin. The Elta MD applies best over moisturizer. It truly sinks in and doesn’t leave a white cast. My dermatologist loves this spf, and prescribes it to her acne prone patients because of the ingredients, especially the inclusion of niaminicide, and because most patients tolerate this Sunscreen without adverse side effects.

Evening Routine

Le Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser – Instead of double cleansing, I use two pumps of this cleanser and move the product around for one minute. The creaminess of the cleanser works well to get all makeup off.

Retin-A Micro 0.06% – This is the magic product that has resurfaced my skin and is the culprit in clearing my acne.

Le Roche Posay Toleriane Riche Soothing Protective Moisturizer – A thicker moisturizer and alternative for the Fluide. I began using this moisturizer once my skin began peeling. It gives my skin a shine, so I prefer to only use this moisturizer in the evenings.

I eased my way into using Retin-A Micro as directed, and I actually did not experience much peeling! My various support products truly helped my skin adapt to the strength of Retin-A Micro. After two months I was free of blackheads and whiteheads, and about three months later I was acne free. I could still feel some under the skin bumps, but my skin appeared clear. After a follow-up visit, the doctor renewed my Retin-A Micro prescription and asked me to continue the regimen for another three months. She was really happy with my progress, and so am I! In this appointment, we discussed how I could treat the hyperpigmentation and texture left over from years of acne.

Let me be clear, I am in no hurry to push toward perfect skin. After having acneic skin for so long, I am more than ecstatic just living free of acne. If I never had even skin again, I would be ok. However, we discussed the options and the Doctor let me know that it takes months to even years for hyperpigmentation to go away naturally. If I go the natural route, all I need to do is make sure I religiously apply sunscreen for the next couple of years and the hyperpigmentation will get better. Similarly, the texture of my skin will improve as I continue to use Retin-A Micro and the skin continues to resurface. However, we did discuss options that will significantly speed up the process, which I chose to go ahead and try.

Those options include a chemical peel, which she does not recommend for melanated skin, microdermabrasion, or micro needling. She showed me several photos of how each of those processes works on dark skin over time, as well as an example of just letting the hyperpigmentation and texture subside over time. We also went over the costs of the various procedural options and decided on a course of treatment. Now, I am so very happy with the state of my skin, and really understand the importance of finding the right dermatologist. After this experience, I will stick to a basic skin care routine and stick to the same products. My journey to clear, even skin has just begun, and I am excited about the next steps!