My Favorite Skinceuticals Products
My Acne Journey in just a few sentences
In Grade 9 I started to get some serious acne. I would wake up with a new pimple everyday! My forehead, cheeks, chin, nose, eyebrows, and even behind my ear were the perfect spots for wonderful puss filled spots. I tried tea tree oil, benzyl peroxide, toothpaste masks, baking soda, turmeric, and even an egg mask. What were my results? Nothing great, as you might have imagined. This lasted until about 2018, almost a decade since my first pimple showed up.
Fast forward to April 2020 – I posted an Instagram story with the caption “No makeup, no filter, just smooth, clear and freshly washed skin”! Who would’ve thought, little pimple covered Reeya would be able to post a video like that on social media?
So what changed? Well… I became plumpitupp, and that meant figuring out my skin through any means possible. The two treatments that I swear by are microneedling and my medical grade Skinceuticals based skincare regimen. I will write another blog post about microneedling but I always get a lot of questions about which face wash or oils to use.
So here are my favorite Skinceuticals products that have helped treat and maintain a clear face! Note: product results are individual to each person - contact me for an individualized skin care regimen!
The 2 Step Cleanse:
Soothing Cleanser Foam
Action: Soap free cleanser that soothes sensitive, compromised, or post-procedure skin while dissolving impurities. Removes long-wear face makeup. Non-comedogenic formula ideal for daily use.
How to use: Twice daily gently massage one pump onto a wet face and neck in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.
Key Ingredients: Sorbitol, glycerin, orchid extract, cucumber extract, amino acid-based surfactant system.
plumpitupp Tip: One pump is more than enough to cleanse the whole face and neck. I try to use at the end of my shower so all my pores have opened up from the steam/heat.
LHA Toner
Action: Exfoliating toner removes excess residue and surface cells to decongest pores and exfoliate the skin. Works to balance the pH of your skin which reduces sebum production (which means less breakouts).
How to Use: Twice daily spray a small amount onto a cotton ball and smooth over face, neck and chest.
Key Ingredients: LHA (lip-hydroxy acid), glycolic acid, salicylic acid.
plumpitupp Tip: If you’re doing a face mask after cleansing, use this toner after rinsing off the face. This a perfect cellular exfoliant rather than the physical exfoliants you might be used to.
Daily Serums:
Phloretin CF
Action: Daytime Vitamin C antioxidant face serum to provide environmental protection and reduce appearance of discoloration.
How to Use: Apply 4-5 drops to dry face, neck and chest after cleansing and toning in the morning. Use sunscreen on top to protect against visible aging caused by environmental aggressors.
Key Ingredients: L-ascrobic acid (pure vitamin C), phloretin, ferulic acid
plumpitupp Tip: Apply as soon as possible after cleansing and before all other serums/oils. Only use in the mornings and make sure to use sunscreen on top. Can be used on the back of hands for extra protection.
Discolouration Defense
Action: Targets visible skin discoloration for brighter, more even looking skin. Dark spot corrector addressing skin discoloration from excess melanin on the skin’s surface.
How to use: Twice daily, apply 3-5 drops to dry face after any vitamin C serum. Use sunscreen on top to protect against visible aging caused by environmental aggressors.
Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide (vitamin B3), HEPES
plumpitupp Tip: Apply to the whole face, not just dark spots, for a more even skin tone. Make sure to use sunscreen on top! Do not use on irritated or broken skin.
Hydration & Protection:
Daily Moisture
Action: Face moisturizer that nourishes and hydrates normal to oily skin. Helps to minimize the appearance of pores.
How to Use: Apply a dime size to the face, neck, and chest twice daily. To be used after cleansing and toning.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, algae extracts, botanical extracts.
plumpitupp Tips: Apply after serums. If not using serums, apply after toner. A small amount goes a long way; you really only need a little bit of product.
Physical Fusion UV Defence SPF 50
Action: Provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection through a mineral filter that reflects sun rays. Has Zinc Oxide, physical UV filter, and translucent color spheres.
How to Use: Shake well before use, apply liberally to face, neck, chest, and back of hands 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply at least every 2 hours or 40 minutes after sweating or swimming. Apply after all other skin products.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, translucent color spheres.
plumpitupp Tips: During application the sunscreen looks grey on darker skin tones but settles after about 15 minutes. If you prefer an invisible product, I would recommend the Sheer Physical IV Defense SPF 50. Always use sunscreen, even on cloudy days or days you spend indoors! We are still exposed to UV rays though the windows!
Acne Reducer:
Retinol 0.3
Action: Reverses the visual effects of aging, accelerates skin turnover, reduces pore size, and minimizes breakouts. Not to be used while pregnant.
How to Use: In the evening apply 4‐5 drops to clean dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Allow product to absorb before applying other skincare products. Limit initial use to once or twice a week, gradually increasing frequency to every other night, then every night as tolerated. It is important to establish consistent skin tolerance before advancing to a higher concentration. Ensure the use of a high concentration, broad spectrum sunscreen.
Key Ingredients: Retinol (Vitamin A derivative), bisabolol soothing complex.
plumpitupp Tips: Can only use in the evening as retinol gets degraded by the sun. Retinol also helps to build collagen and has good effects on discoloration – really great to start using in your 20s. Once you’re ready to increase the retinol percentage, use Retinol 0.5 starting again at twice per week.
Other notable Skinceuticals products:
Phyto Corrective Gel - great for redness
H.A. intensifier - regulates moisture levels
Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 - hydration and skin plumpness
Order of Operations:
Daytime
Cleanse - Soothing Cleanser Foam
Tone - LHA Toner
Prevent - Phloretin CF
Correct - Discolouration Defense
Moisturize - Daily Moisture
Protect - Physical Fusion UV Defence SPF 50
Nightime
Cleanse - Soothing Cleanser Foam
Tone - LHA Toner
Correct - Discolouration Defense OR Retinol 0.3
Moisturize - Daily Moisture