halfgingerish asked: Hey Michelle! So I have had acne-prone skin since I can remember, and I've just recently found a skin-care regimen that has begun to clear it up, for the most part. My problem is that even now that my acne is mostly gone (knock on wood), i'll apply moisturizer, a primer, foundation, concealer, then powder and a setting spray on top, yet my skin looks powdery, and gets very dry within minutes of application to the point of peeling. What am I doing wrong?

Hello! :)

Are you using acne medicated products to clear your acne? Anything with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, ingredients to fight acne can be pretty drying and harsh on the skin because it’s drying out the acne.

After your skin clears up i’d recommend going for a more gentle skin care routine and switching out your morning cleanser for a more gentle one and keeping your acne medicated products for night time, this way in the morning your skin won’t be as stripped of it’s natural oils before applying makeup! I keep my skin care really gentle and only whip out my acne cleansers and products (I love Murad!) when I start to break out again. For example, I use my Murad cleansers with salicylic acid at night but never in the morning because it’s too drying so I would use my Fresh Soy Cleanser.

With acne medicated products you want to make sure to use a really moisturizing moisturizer or even a dry oil at night to balance out the skin. Try something like First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (very calming, almost dries to more of a matte finish), CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (affordable and effective) or Origins Night A Mins Night Cream. 

So to round it up

• Use a gentle face wash in the morning 
• Use a night cream
• Only use your acne medicated products when you need to (during current break outs/until your skin clears up)

It’s all about balancing out the skin! :)