Tony Moly Liptone Get It Tint: Swatches and review (perfect for summer!)

tl;dr - Snackers, rejoice! Tony Moly's Liptone Get It Tints stay intact even when you're eating messy, greasy foods (the best kinds to snack on, IMHO). Plus, the colors are bright, matte, and gorgeous - check out my swatches and selfies to see for yourself. Prep with a rich lip moisturizer for longer, more comfortable wear.

Wisdom tooth wisdom: Smoothie recipes and skincare FYIs

tl;dr - Having your wisdom teeth removed sucks. Here are a few soft food recipes that helped me get through wisdom tooth surgery, and an overview of how I kept my problem skin at bay during recovery.

Acne and sugar: Can you have your cake and eat it too? (+ ombre cake recipe)

tl;dr - Eating sugar (or any processed carbs) can cause inflammation and acne. Bad news for acne-prone me: I love sweets, especially cake. So here's my go-to low-sugar (but still impressive-tasting and impressive-looking) ombre cake recipe for when I'm craving something sweet and want to keep my skin clear.

Snails on my face? Yes, please!

We're three weeks into the new year, and I've yet to experience a breakout in 2017! For someone whose acne used to be so bad that she underwent three courses of Accutane, that's a huge feat. So what's been the game changer for me? Spironolactone has helped, especially to curb oiliness. But my skin wasn't breakout-proof until I supplemented spironolactone with the most magical topical I've tried: Mizon All-in-One Snail Repair Cream.

Snail mucus...yes, I know it sounds like some make-believe fantasy skincare ingredient. Something mythical my parents would read about in the Korean newspaper (cue fan death). I was super skeptical until a coworker recommended the Mizon product to me, and I read rave reviews from Into the Gloss and Peach and Lily. Thank goodness I decided to give it a shot! After using snail cream for two months, my skin is smoother, I'm not breaking out, and my acne scars and hyperpigmentation are fading.

Why snails?
Snails constantly slither over sharp rocks and other bacteria-laden surfaces, but their smooth bodies appear to stay free of cuts and infections, thanks to their mucus coating. That's likely what the ancient Greeks had in mind when they prescribed snail mucus as a topical anti-inflammatory (see references here and here). Fast forward to the 1980s, when Chilean escargot farmers (and their French customers) noted how quickly hand lesions healed (with no scarring) after handling snails. The French figured they were onto something and began exploring the use of snail mucus in skincare. Check out this French video and this Chilean one (narrated in French) on how they harvest snail mucus.

Citing the potential of snails recorded throughout history, the Korean skincare industry took the idea and ran with it. Dozens of snail mucus-containing products from Korean skincare companies debuted in the 2000s. Despite the initial "ick" factor, skincare enthusiasts worldwide embraced snail mucus as an anti-wrinkle, anti-acne, scar-healing miracle worker. It's no wonder: snail mucus is full of moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and anti-bacterial glycoproteins that can heal scars and boost collagen for firmer, more elastic skin.

Dermatologists remain divided on the efficacy of snail mucus, but there are enough studies on its benefits to sustain a thriving snail skincare industry: on top of all the snail products out there, Thailand boasts a facial in which snails literally crawl over your face (there are also more conventional facials that incorporate snail mucus). I'm all for products that are bona-fide approved by the scientific community (a la Retin-A), but when a product works this well for me, I can't help but sing its praises. Here's to hoping that snail mucus works for you, too!

How I use snail cream
1) Double-cleanse with Banila Clean It Zero and Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
2) Tone with L'Occitane Immortelle Essential Water
3) Apply a pinky's worth of Mizon All-in-One Snail Repair Cream
4) Apply moisturizer (L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Cream, or in the drier winter months, Benefit Cosmetics Total Moisture Facial Cream)

I use snail cream twice a day - once in the morning and once again in the evening. The only difference is that in the morning, I use a mineral-based sunscreen (Clarins UV Plus HP SPF 40 or MDSolarSciences MD Crème Mineral Beauty Balm SPF 50), and in the evening, I apply Retin-A and moisturizer 20 minutes after the snail cream, per the lazy girl skincare regimen.

Properties to note about Mizon All-in-One Snail Repair Cream
- Fragrance-free and odorless
- Gooey, syrupy texture
- Feels velvety upon application
- Dries to a non-sticky matte finish
- Has 92% snail filtrate - the highest percentage I've found on the market so far
- Despite "All-In-One" branding, this product is definitely not a moisturizer in and of itself - you'll need to apply a conventional moisturizer after using it

The results I've seen
- Less acne
- Smoother, softer skin
- Reduction in fine lines
- Less-prominent acne scars and hyperpigmentation
- Overall evening of skin tone

2017 resolution: go concealer and foundation-free as much as possible. Took a bare-faced (still wearing eye makeup) selfie this past weekend, and the zit-free skin is brought to you by these multi-tasking snail products. From left to right, See N Tree Snail 100 Mask Sheet and Mizon All-in-One Snail Repair Cream

What else is out there?
The only other snail-based skincare product I've tried so far is the See N Tree Snail 100 Mask Sheet, which I recently received as a gift from Korea. Like I do for most sheet masks, I loved this one's cooling effect, and it helped my skin flake less during these winter months, but no earth-shattering results from using it only once.

I've heard great things about the snail skincare lines from Benton and Missha in addition to another more "premium" black snail cream from Mizon. Have any of you tried these products? Let me know what you think of them (and snail mucus in general) in the comments!

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4 skincare tips for your next tropical getaway

Greetings from the Philippines! I'm currently in Manila after spending a week on the island of Palawan. If you ever visit Palawan, definitely check out Nacpan Beach: with feathery soft sand and fluorescent blue water, it's a beach lover's paradise. The water is warm and perfect for swimming (this was especially nice because I'm used to freezing water at beaches in Northern California). They also sell fresh bukos (young coconuts) on the shore—and nothing says "vacation" like sipping juice straight out of a coconut on the beach.

These photos don't do Nacpan Beach justice - it's even more spectacular in person. I loved swimmming and drinking buko (young coconut) juice on the shore.

In addition to gorgeous beaches, Palawan (like most tropical destinations) has a lot to offer on the activities front: snorkeling, ziplining, hiking, scuba-diving, kayaking. Whether you're beach-bumming or going on active excursions, you don't want a sunburn, breakout, or other annoying skin issue to slow you down. Here are 4 easy ways to keep your skin healthy and radiant so you can enjoy your tropical getaway to the fullest.

1) Protect your skin from the sun
Sun protection should be a priority whether you're on vacation or not. But it's especially important when you're in the tropics, where UV rays are more intense. To protect your skin, apply waterproof sunscreen every morning all over your face and body, reapply every 2 hours (my husband didn't reapply when we were island hopping in Palawan and ended up with a raging red sunburn all over his back), and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever you're on dry land.

For my face, I love MD Crème Mineral Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen, and I've been slathering Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 on my body every day. So far, no sunburns!

If you do end up with a sunburn, apply aloe vera gel before bedtime (I use Banana Boat's Aloe Vera Gel) to cool down the burn and speed up the healing process.

On the left: Brought my handy-dandy camping hat with me to the beach.
On the right: The sun shines so bright in Palawan, it's hard to find a photo of us *not* wearing sunglasses.

2) Keep bugs away
Mosquitoes and other pests love the tropics as much as humans do. Keep them away by layering bug repellant (I like Off's Unscented Insect Repellant) over your sunscreen. You can also wear these citronella wristbands for extra protection, but to be safe, I'd recommend using them in addition to the traditional repellant (not as a replacement); also note they have a strong, noticeable citronella scent. Warding off mosquitoes is especially critical now because Zika is a very real threat in most tropical areas, including the Philippines.

3) Wear water shoes
I was horribly unprepared for the sharp underwater rocks en route to some of the beaches, snorkeling areas, and waterfalls we visited. Because tropical excursions often require you to step in and out of water, I highly recommend bringing a pair of rubber-soled water shoes that will protect your feet and dry quickly, not weighing you down in case you need to swim (I've linked a highly-reviewed pair of water shoes I found on Amazon that I'll bring on my next snorkeling trip). Flip-flops are prone to slipping off and don't protect the tops or sides of your feet, and tennis shoes retain too much water and take forever to dry.

In case you do get cuts on the bottoms of your feet as I did, clean out the wound with cool soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, and patch it up with a 2nd Skin bandage, which is super waterproof yet sheer. It's held onto my foot so far through a handful of snorkeling and swimming excursions.

On the left: We hiked to Nagkalit-kalit Falls wearing flip flops, which was a bad idea because we had to step through rivers where there were sharp rocks.
On the right: Gorgeous lagoon also full of sharp underwater rocks. Will definitely bring water shoes next time!

4) Maintain your skincare regimen
Even though I'm thousands of miles away from home, I'm still following the lazy girl skincare regimen to keep my acne and wrinkles at bay. The climate here is more humid than it is in San Francisco, but I moisturize twice a day nonetheless (otherwise the Retin-A will make my skin flaky).

A few weeks before I left for my vacation, I also started taking 50 mg of dermatologist-prescribed spironolactone daily to reduce oiliness and acne, which was starting to get out of hand especially around that time of the month. The spironolactone has helped my skin a ton, but it's not without its side effects. I'll be writing about my experience with spironolactone in a future post.

We're off to Taiwan tomorrow, where I plan to stockpile my favorite Asian skincare products and stuff my face with noodles. Stay tuned for updates 😃

Breakout-free workouts: 6 tips for clear skin

More energy, better health, toned muscles, more endorphins...the list goes on when it comes to the benefits of exercise. An active lifestyle can also add variety to your social calendar (mine would be all eating and drinking were it not for the occasional hike I do with friends...).

I love a great sweat sesh as much as any basic San Francisco bitch. But as someone with sensitive skin, I've come to terms with a harsh reality of staying fit: sweat-induced acne.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, when you exercise, sweat mixes with the bacteria, oil, and dirt on your skin's surface. That mixture settles into your pores, clogging them and causing breakouts, both on your face and body. LOVELY.

But whatever the skincare risk, the benefits of exercise far outweigh the costs. So no need to worry when you hit the gym–just follow these tips to keep the acne at bay:

1) Start your workout with a clean face. Best way to mitigate that sweat-activated cocktail of bacteria, oil, makeup, and dirt? Take makeup out of the equation. If you're rushing off to the gym right after work, keep some makeup-removing wipes (I love Olay Makeup Remover Wet Cloths) in your gym bag. Gently blot your face before you break a sweat, and you'll be good to go.

2) Invest in breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics. Especially for longer workouts, having sweat build up under your clothes while you move around is a classic recipe for acne mechanica, or friction-induced acne. You can prevent acne mechanica by keeping your skin ventilated and sweat-free. Workout fanatics and yogis go gaga over the sweat-wicking fabrics at Athleta and Lululemon, but I've also had luck with more affordable pieces at Target, Forever 21, and Amazon.

3) Shower within 20 minutes after your workout. You want to give the sweat as little time as possible to join forces with the bacteria and oils on your skin, so treat yourself to a shower as soon as you can after you exercise. Post-workout, I get especially excited to indulge in a deliciously scented body wash like Happy Bath's Grapefruit Sparkling Ale or Softsoap Juicy Pomegranate & Mango. Do a double-cleanse on your face for bonus points.

4) In a rush post-workout? Blot off excess moisture for the time-being. If you don't have time to shower after you exercise, gently blot sweat from your face and body with a clean, damp towel or facial wipe. Make sure you blot rather than rub to avoid friction-induced acne mechanica. And always always always take a full shower as soon as you have the opportunity: while convenient, a wipe should never completely replace a legit face cleanser or body wash.

5) Exfoliate weekly. Sift through workout-induced sebum and dirt left in your pores by exfoliating your face once a week (not more often, as over-exfoliating can leave skin raw and cause irritation). Exfoliation (using granules to remove dead cells from the skin's surface) leaves skin fresh and less susceptible to that sweat/bacteria/dirt mixture I talked about earlier in this post. My favorite exfoliants are Skin Food's Black Sugar Mask and Natural Aqua Gel Cure.

6) Take care of your skin in general. Follow the Lazy Girl Skincare Regimen to prevent acne from forming, and treat existing pimples overnight with CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patches.

I hope these recommendations save you from the headache of sweat-induced acne! I promise you it's worth it to exercise: you'll feel more energized, develop more grit and strength (physically and mentally), and ultimately have a more balanced, happier life. In the long run, a healthy, toned body will yield healthier, less-stressed skin. So every time you have the opportunity to exercise, go for it!

The best cleansers for sensitive, acne-prone skin

Ah, yes: washing your face. Often the last thing you want to do at the end of a long workday (and for me, the thing that doesn't ever get done before collapsing into bed after a big night out...). Annoying as it can be, the importance of cleansing in skincare cannot be stressed enough. Read on to learn more about why you need to wash your face, and which products I recommend for sensitive, acne-prone skin like mine.

Why cleansing?

Cleansing keeps pores clear, thereby preventing skin problems. If you don't periodically wash the dirt and excess oil/sebum that accumulates on your face, your pores get clogged, which can lead to dull skin and acne. Makeup that's left to fester into your pores can exacerbate the damage.

Cleansing also enhances the efficacy of skincare products. Your face needs to be a clean, blank canvas to maximize absorption of nutrients in serums, toners, and moisturizers – these product won't work if they're just sitting on top of gunk that's clogging your pores.

That's where cleansing comes in: it's the first step in the lazy-girl skincare regimen and arguably the most important one. If you don't cleanse properly, the subsequent steps won't have as much benefit.

The magic of double cleansing

Aestheticians and dermatologists alike recommend that you wash your face twice a day: once in the morning, and once before bed. Twice daily is enough to keep pores clear, but not so often that the washing strips healthy oils away from your skin.

Before bed, do a double cleanse: first with an oil cleanser (loosens up dirt, oil, and makeup – remember the "like dissolves like" principle from high school chemistry?), and follow up with a non-oil cleanser (washes away residue for a thorough clean). Read on for a breakdown of how I wash my face and my favorite cleansing miracle-workers.

Cleansing before bed

Pre-wash: Remove eye makeup (if applicable)
(#1 in image) Clinique's Take the Day Off Eye Makeup Remover Stick does wonders, gently removing even the most stubborn waterproof eye makeup. I love that I don't have to fuss with cotton swabs – all I need to do is rub the convenient stick directly onto my eyelids to loosen up the makeup and then get on with the rest of my cleansing routine.

Step 1: Oil cleanse
Pump a dime-sized amount of oil cleanser into your hands and massage the product into your dry face, focusing on the corners (sides of the nose, under the eyes) where dirt can build up throughout the day. Then splash lukewarm water onto your face. You'll notice that the oil cleanser starts to emulsify and turn a milky, opaque color, meaning that it's dissolving the oily buildup. After massaging for about a minute, rinse the oil cleanser emulsion off your face with lukewarm water, but don't pat dry yet: leave your face wet for the next step.

Here are my oil cleanser picks:

(#2 in image) Tatcha Pure One-Step Camellia Cleansing Oil: Love that this cleanser is chock full of healthy botanicals like green tea and camellia oil. Melts away makeup and dirt like a charm. The packaging is also durable and travel-friendly (most oil cleanser containers tend to leak or explode in my suitcase). Only gripe about this product is the high price tag.

(#3 in image) The Face Shop's Rice Water Bright Cleansing Light Oil: A friend of mine brought this oil cleanser back from Korea as a gift, and I've been addicted ever since. Makeup slides right off, it emulsifies gorgeously, and my skin feels soft and smooth afterwards. More reasonably priced than the Tatcha cleansing oil.

Step 2: Non-oil cleanse
I always follow up my oil cleansing step with a non-oil cleanser to ensure that every trace of the oil cleanser (and the collected dirt/grime) is gone. Massage a dime-sized amount of the non-oil cleanser onto wet skin and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Gently pat dry with a cotton towel afterwards. Here's an assortment of non-oil cleansing products that I've tried and loved, as they're suitable for sensitive/acne-prone skin:

(#4 in image) Cerave Hydrating Cleanser: This is the cleanser I reach for the most often, recommended by my dermatologist. It doesn't lather, but it cleanses well (all the residue slides off - so satisfying), and it's very gentle and fragrance-free. Thanks to its hyaluronic acid content, this cleanser helps skin retain moisture even after you've rinsed it off.

(#5 in image) Cerave Foaming Cleanser: Here's the foaming equivalent to Cerave Hydrating Cleanser. The modest lather does leave my skin feeling a bit cleaner, and I love the addition of niacinamide (vitamin B3), which can help fade hyperpigmentation and soothe inflammation (often the side effect of acne). My dermatologist has even convinced me to start taking niacinamide orally for enhanced benefits to my skin. All in all, a solid alternative to Cerave Hydrating Cleanser.

(#6 in image) Philosophy Purity Made Simple: A fragrance-free, lightly-foaming gem of a cleanser. Thanks to its twelve essential oil combo, it has a naturally herbal scent – you might detect hints of sandalwood, sage, and pepper. Despite the oil content, I've never had a breakout from this cleanser. Dissolves grime and makeup, leaving skin super-smooth and soft.

(#7 in image) Shiseido Perfect Milk: I confess – I only discovered this product because a sales associate at Olive Young recommended it to my husband when we were in Seoul last year. But I tried it once, fell in love, and now we share the pretty blue bottle. You only need a tiny drop or two to build a rich lather that removes residue beautifully and leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed. Only drawback is that it's not fragrance-free, but I love the fresh smell, and so far, it hasn't irritated my skin.

(#8 in image) Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: Cucumber extract and rosewater give this gentle gel cleanser a yummy scent (even though it's fragrance-free). It foams up just a little, melts away dirt and makeup, and leaves your skin ethereally smooth.

Cleansing in the morning

My morning cleansing routine is identical to Step 2 (the non-oil cleanse) above, except usually wash my face in the shower in the morning 😃

Happy cleansing!

Washing your face properly is the bona-fide first step on your path to better skin, so I hope these tips make cleansing feel more like a moment of Zen and less like a chore! What are your favorite cleansing products?

Giving up dairy for better skin (and smoothie recipes to cope)

I'm convinced that dairy is an acne trigger for me, which sucks because I'm really into making buttery desserts, and I love dairy in general SO MUCH:

• Triple cream brie from Cowgirl Creamery. 
• Jasmine or earl grey tea-flavored ice cream from Mr and Mrs. Miscellaneous. 
• Full-fat plain yogurt with granola – I could eat this every morning for the rest of my life. 
• Sour cream in a taco. 
• CHEDDAR CHEESE IN A TACO. 
• Melted cheese in any form – hello, raclette and fondue! 
• Kouign-amann and passion fruit bostock from b.patisserie. 
• Banana cake with cream cheese frosting from Icing on the Cake. 
• Chocolate rum cake from The Prolific Oven. 
• Vanilla celebration cake from Susiecakes. 

Whenever I eat any of these delicious things, I get a horrible breakout. Granted, I've never had an easy time digesting dairy. But beyond mere lactose intolerance, there seems to be something about milk itself (the hormones?) that upsets my skin.

I never would have considered cutting out dairy were it not for my dermatologist, who told me there's a scientifically proven (albeit weak) link between dairy consumption and acne. But because she mentioned it, I've cut dairy from my diet for the past month and a half, and much like Annie Tomlin, I've noticed a difference!

It's especially difficult when cheese-covered bar food and milky desserts call my name. When I was visiting fast-food-mecca LA earlier this month, I had to order burritos and burgers without cheese or sour cream. This also meant giving up on my conquest for the Blue Velvet Cake from The Milk Shop, which I'd been wanting to try for years. *stomp stomp whine whine*

Without my favorite dairy treats, I definitely have fewer endorphin-blasting moments. But the sustained level of endorphins in my system is higher on average because my skin's smoother and I don't have as many embarrassing digestive issues (the people around me are a lot happier too...)

Better yet, my foray into the dairy-free world has helped me discover products like So Delicious Yogurt, which has a thick, creamy texture and delightful (not overwhelming) coconutty taste.

I used this yogurt to make a dairy-free version of Blogilates' Rainbow Smoothie and the smoothie bowl of my dreams, inspired by Hello Miss May. See recipes below!

Rainbow Smoothies
adapted from Blogilates
makes 2 generous servings

Mix each layer one at a time. I used my Cuisinart Smart Stick Blender for each layer, rinsing the blender blade in between each run.

Yellow layer:
- 4 frozen peach sections
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 2" banana
- 1/4 cup almond milk

Orange layer:
- 8 frozen peach sections
- 1 clementine
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots

Red layer:
- 1 cup frozen cherries, strawberries, and raspberries
- 3 tablespoons So Delicious Plain Yogurt
- 3 tablespoons almond milk

Purple layer:
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 2" banana
- 1/4 cup almond milk

Green layer:
- 1 cup frozen green grapes
- 1 cup spinach
- 3 tablespoons So Delicious Plain Yogurt
- 1/4 cup almond milk

Pink layer
- 1 pitaya smoothie pack (can be found in freezer section at Whole Foods)
- 2" banana
- 3 tablespoons almond milk

Spoon each layer into a tall clear glass and enjoy!

---

Green Smoothie Bowls
adapted from Hello Miss May
makes 2 servings

Green smoothie ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen green grapes
- 1 cup spinach
- 3 tablespoons So Delicious Plain Yogurt
- 1/4 cup almond milk

Toppings:
- Trader Joe's Vanilla Almond Clusters cereal
- Blueberries
- Bananas, sliced
- Strawberries, sliced
- Almonds

Directions:

1. Blend all green smoothie ingredients together (you can use a traditional blender or a stick blender like the Cuisinart Smart Stick Blender).
2. Get a shallow bowl.
3. Place cereal on one side of the bowl.
4. Place strawberry slices right next to the cereal.
5. Layer blueberries next to the strawberries.
6. Fill the other side of the bowl with the green smoothie.
7. Place banana slices and almonds decoratively on top of the smoothie.

Vitamin C serum (and 4 more game-changers from the derm)

I never regret visiting my dermatologist: she fills my hands with samples and my head with the latest research.

I went to the dermatologist last week for three main reasons:

• Oiliness – By the end of each day, my face would be a shiny mess and my bangs would be flat because of my oily forehead. I miss how fluffy my bangs used to be when I was on Accutane.
• Acne – I was breaking out, especially on my forehead, cheeks, and upper lip.
• Wrinkles – I was noticing new lines around my eyes.

My oiliness and acne were especially bothersome to me, so I asked my dermatologist about getting back on Accutane. My skin on Accutane was enviably smooth and matte – ah, those were the days!

On the left: Me in Miami in 2011, fresh off the Accutane boat. Skin so smooth and matte! And you can see individual strands in my bangs. Not sure what was going on with my blush, but we'll save that for another post.
On the right: Me at Cafe No Sé in Austin about a month ago. Skin looks oily and bangs are sticking to my face.
On the far right: my lovely mother...SHOW ME YOUR SOFT SMOOTH SKIN WAYS.

But given that the husband and I could get pregnant in the next few years, my dermatologist urged me to stay off Accutane due to the possibility of birth defects. The FDA claims that you should be OK to get pregnant 1 month after you finish an Accutane course, but my dermatologist suggests waiting 3 months to be extra careful. Best not to risk it: no Accutane for me until I'm done having babies for good.

Ever an amazing doctor, my dermatologist recommended topical (read: baby-making friendly) products for all my skincare woes, and they're working great so far.

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF: There's proven scientific research on topical applications of vitamin C and wrinkle prevention. Chock full of vitamin C and other antixoidants, Phloretin CF is an anti-wrinkle potion I can wear during the day (unlike Atralin or Retin-A Micro, which are photo-inactivated, meaning exposure to sunlight makes them less effective). Atralin, Retin-A Micro, and Phloretin CF all stimulate collagen turnover, leading to firmer, smoother skin and more even skin tone. I've been using Phloretin CF every morning for about a week now, and it feels awesome: smooth, fast-absorbing, and it naturally emits a delicious coffee scent. Time will tell if the wrinkle-preventing properties have efficacy – in the meantime, I'll supplement this vitamin C topical by eating lots of citrus fruits and persimmons.

Skinceuticals Matte Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50: I've found my new holy grail mineral sunscreen (and timing is perfect because it appears my old HG Clarins sunscreen will be discontinued). The texture is light, whipped, and absorbs into the skin invisibly - no residual stickiness, oil, chalky appearance, or shine. Another advantage over the Clarins? It's fragrance-free, which means I can take it camping when my Cerave sunscreen runs out.

Aczone: This one's an oldie but goodie. I've loved Aczone as a gentle acne spot-treatment for years, but my dermatologist has convinced me to use it daily all over my face as an acne-preventative and oil/shine control measure. It leaves skin smooth and matte, and it's extremely gentle given how much of an anti-acne powerhouse it is. One thing to note: if you get Aczone on your lips, it tends to dry them out. Not a big deal –just avoid the lip area when applying Aczone, and use lip balm for extra protection (I love cocoa butter Vaseline).

Soolantra: Originally formulated as a rosacea treatment, Soolantra also has efficacy as an anti-inflammatory for acne sufferers according to clinical trials. My derm told me I can use Soolantra and Aczone interchangeably. I love how Soolantra smoothens my skin; however, I've found that it makes me look shiny if I apply it in the AM, so I only apply it at night.

Retin-A Micro, 0.08% tretinoin (replacing Atralin): Atralin isn't preventing breakouts like it used to, plus the sticky texture of the gel is driving me nuts. My dermatologist prescribed Retin-A micro as an alternative to Atralin. Retin-A has a higher percentage (0.08%) of tretinoin than Atralin (only 0.05% tretinoin). It's light and creamy (not sticky like Atralin gel), and my bumpy pimples are already starting to flatten after only a week of using it.

Here's a roundup this week's derm haul!

Product	What it fights	Why it's a game-changer	How to use it
Skinceuticals Phloretin CF (no Rx required)	Wrinkles Sun spots / discoloration	Clinically proven to diminish wrinkles and even skin tone Stays active even when exposed to sunlight Lightweight, smooth gel texture Natural coffee scent	AM: Apply two pumps to facial skin, avoiding the eye area, right after washing your face in the morning
Skinceuticals Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50 (no Rx required)	Wrinkles Oiliness / shine	Gentle physical sunscreen Fragrance-free High SPF No residual stickiness No chalky appearance Leaves skin matte	AM: Apply a pea-sized amount to facial skin after applying moisturizer and primer in the morning
Aczone	Acne Oiliness/ shine	Clinically proven to reduce acne and oiliness Gentle enough to use 2x/day Leaves skin smooth and matte	AM: Apply a pea-sized amount to facial skin, avoiding the lip area, right after applying Phloretin CF and before applying moisturizer and primer PM: Apply a pea-sized amount to facial skin, avoiding the lip area, right after washing and toning
Soolantra	Acne	Leaves skin smooth Helps treat and prevent acne	PM: Apply a pea-sized amount to facial skin right after washing and toning
Retin-A Micro, 0.08% tretinoin	Acne Oiliness / shine Wrinkles Sunspots / discoloration	Very high, clinically proven anti-acne efficacy Clinically proven to prevent wrinkles Clinically proven to reduce sun spots Light, creamy texture that absorbs easily Helps maintain smooth, matte skin	PM: Apply a pea-sized amount to facial skin, avoiding the lip area, 20 minutes after toning and applying Aczone or Soolantra

And here's what my daily skincare regimen looks like with these additions:

AM
1. Cleanse: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
2. Prevent wrinkles and discoloration: Skinceuticals Phloretin CF
3. Fight acne and shine: Aczone
4. Moisturize: L'Occitane Precious Cream
5. Fight shine: Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer
6. Protect from sun damage: Skinceuticals Matte Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50

PM
1. Pre-cleanse: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Light Oil
2. Cleanse: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
3. Tone (with a cotton pad): L'Occitane Immortelle Essential Water
4. Fight acne: Aczone or Soolantra
5. Wait 20 minutes for skin to dry completely
6. Treat acne, wrinkles, sun spots: Retin-A Micro, 0.08% tretinoin
7. Moisturize: L'Occitane Precious Cream
8. Fight undereye wrinkles: Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream or Etude House Moistfull Super-Collagen Eye Cream

Excited to see if these products will continue working for me – hope you get a chance to try them out too!

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The #1 way to improve problem skin

As a San Francisco resident and Pinterest enthusiast, I understand the appeal of DIY /“natural” skincare. But as a long-time acne sufferer, I turn to one thing above all else for my biggest skincare woes: medical science.

The best way to improve problem skin is to visit a board-certified dermatologist with positive reviews (I found mine on Yelp. ZocDoc has great doctor reviews too).

Here’s why it’s so helpful to visit the derm:

Reason 1: They’re the experts. A dermatologist has spent years and years studying the ins and outs of skin. She’s always on the cutting edge of new scientific research that will help you make incremental improvements in your regimen. The result? Your skin will look and feel its best. Whenever I visit my dermatologist, she tells me about a new academic paper she's read and gives me an actionable takeaway. Most recently, she taught me about the benefits of niacinamide supplements and the clinically-proven (albeit weak) link between dairy consumption and acne.

Reason 2: There’s nothing like one-on-one guidance. When you’re breaking out, talking to a knowledgeable human being makes a huge difference. Not only can a dermatologist give you emotional support, but by talking with you, she'll also pick up on signals about your overall lifestyle and health that could be impacting your skin. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions in skincare, and a dermatologist can help you hone in on what products and techniques suit your particular lifestyle and skin chemistry. Over time, a dermatologist can hold you accountable for a new regimen you’re trying and motivate you to keep at it! Patience is a virtue when it comes to skincare.

Reason 3: You want products and methods that work. Most importantly, your dermatologist can prescribe you topical and oral medications. Plus, she’ll oversee your application of those meds to ensure optimal results. For example, I only started having success with retinoids once I followed my dermatologist’s advice on how to apply them. Applied incorrectly, retinoids were a disaster for my skin. But with greater compliance, they became - and continue to be - a miracle-worker for me. See my past post for more info on how I apply my retinoid product, Atralin.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with trying things like DIY honey face masks or turmeric smoothies for better skin. DIY skincare can improve skin tone and texture. But don’t expect the dramatic improvements I saw with meds like Accutane and Retin-A. I’ll tell you all about my Accutane experience in a future post - stay tuned!