In 2012, I switched to natural skincare and thus began a long and enjoyable journey of trying an assortment of products, popping various supplements, and doing many experiments on myself. When I first began, I was trying to heal my vicious hormonal acne. Adopting a vegan diet and ditching dairy was the first step in achieving clearer skin, but skin needed an extra boost. I started off as an ingredients purist (only 100% natural!), but I’ve found a happy middle-ground that embraces certain natural treatments as well as more conventional (but thoughtfully crafted) products.
These days, I feel fairly out of the woods in the severe acne department. Now, the worst I experience is a mild breakout here and there. My current goal is maintaining smooth, well-cared for, glow-y skin. My skin can get a little dull and rough when I don’t use exfoliating acids and retinol (as evidenced when I avoided using these during pregnancy). If I do experience any acne, my current routine helps reduce hyperpigmentation and inflammation. In sum, whether you have acneic skin or you’re looking to reduce fine lines and hyperpigmentation, these ride-or-die staples may suit you.
The following are the products I’ve purchased multiple times (and trust me, I’ve tried a lot!). In addition to these, I also use moisturizer and SPF, of course, but right now, I’m still in the process of discovering which ones are my favorites. When I put this list together, I was surprised by one thing the items have in common–unpretentious packaging. Given that I’m a hound for cute packaging, these bottles must contain stuff that actually works for me to be so obsessed!
My Must-Have Vegan Skincare Products & Supplements
Paula’s Choice Skin-Perfecting 2% BHA Exfoliant
First purchased: 2016
Number of times purchased: 3 (but it would have been more if I hadn’t completely skipped BHA while I was pregnant)
Why I love it: This toner makes a difference after one use. With regular use, my skin is brighter and smoother and my pores appear a lot tighter. BHA is a special variety of exfoliating acid because it penetrates oil (while AHA can only penetrate water, for example). This means that it’s great for oily and acne-prone skin.
This can make your skin feel tight or sensitive, so layer under a facial cream (or cream + oil combo as I do), and don’t forget your SPF!
Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol
First purchased: 2016
Number of times purchased: 2 (but it would have been more if I hadn’t completely skipped retinol while I was pregnant). Also, a little goes a long way!
Why I love it: God bless the day I discovered Paula’s Choice! The retinol in this cream is lab-derived (not animal-derived), and it seriously delivers. While using this product, my skin is plumper and I notice fewer fine lines. There’s a certain skin resiliency that accompanies the use of this product.
While this cream is marketed as less-irritating that some retinol products, I still suggest taking it easy at first while your skin adjusts. I never experienced any peeling with it, fortunately!
Argan Oil (From Any Trusted Brand)
First purchased: 2012
Number of times purchased: 5
Why I love it: I’m open to just about any facial oil as long as it’s fairly low on the comedogenic scale. I especially love plum oil, vegan squalene, rosehip seed oil, and almond oil, but I find argan oil to absorb beautifully, help heal post-acne marks, double as a cleansing oil, and even serve as a leave-in hair moisturizer (great on ends!). Look for organic and cold-pressed.
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
First purchased: 2015
Number of times purchased: 3
Why I love it: As much as I love a good cream cleanser, I need a gel cleanser to really feel fresh after wearing makeup all day. This natural formula is gentle (not too drying), effective, and refreshing–everything one could want in a cleanser! What distinguishes it from other cleansers is the crisp, woodsy fragrance and just the fact that it seems to agree with my skin so well. In other words, it’s a lovely product with an X-factor in my book.
Delgado Protocol for Health Estroblock Pro
First purchased: 2015
Number of times purchased: 10+
Why I love it: I first read about DIM (active ingredient) when I was trying to stop taking prescription Spironolactone for my hormonal acne. When I added Estroblock to my routine (well after stopping Spironolactone), I started to see results after a month–clearer skin! Shortly thereafter, I included a DHT blocker (see below) to help my flush excess testosterone from my system (I’d confirmed with a dermatologist a while back that excess androgen was flaring up my skin). The combination was a dream team. I’ve tried so many natural supplements–milk thistle, nettle, burdock root, vitex/chaste berry, evening primrose oil, turmeric…nothing worked to clear my skin like DIM and the DHT blocker. I was able to stay off prescription birth control and Spironolactone and enjoy clear skin on my wedding day thanks to these.
In addition to being effective, I experienced no adverse side effects–no weight fluctuation, no moodiness, no messed up monthly cycle!
I’m not taking either at the moment because I’m still in postpartum territory and waiting to see what my hormonal landscape looks like in the following months. Fortunately, my skin is cooperating in the meantime (phew!).
Delgado Protocol for Health DHT Blocker
First purchased: 2015
Number of times purchased: 10+
Why I love it: (See above.)
Viva Naturals Pycnogenol
First purchased: 2018
Number of times purchased: 3
Why I love it: I wrote an entire article about it! TL;DR: It defends against cellular damage–hyperpigmentation, glycation, collagen degradation–all of the ‘tions!
What are the skincare products you can’t live without?
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Photo: Kirill Balobanov on Unsplash, Respective Brands
