Managing Breakouts in my 30s and the Skincare Products That Keep Me (Mostly) Sane
I always thought acne breakouts would fade into a distant memory as I got older 💭. But here I am, in my 30s, still fighting off breakouts. While everyone else seems laser-focused on luminous ✨glass skin✨ and wrinkle-free complexions, I’m still here fighting off pimples like it’s my day job, and my hormones aren’t letting up any time soon.
There’s a bright side though! Years of managing breakouts has turned me into a bit of a skincare connoisseur (mostly by accident). After years of trying products that promise the world but rarely deliver, I’ve learned to separate the real-deal products from the ones just selling dreams. I’ve seen and nearly tried it all, from the Sea Breeze and Noxzema days to the Laneige and Japanese skincare craze. If it was trending, I probably tried it.
Turn’s out, cycling through a revolving door of random skincare products isn’t the best way to manage breakouts, or achieve clear skin. My poor skin was fighting for its life, trying to adjust to the ever-changing parade of ingredients I kept throwing at it. But I’ve learned that it’s all about quality over quantity, especially with skincare. My new mantra? Find products that do one thing really well, and stick to it. And honestly, committing to a consistent routine has made the biggest difference in managing my breakouts.
Before I dive into my holy grail skincare lineup, here’s what you should know: I shop for products that cater to my specific skin needs: sensitive skin (shoutout eczema), oily skin, acne-prone skin, and fading dark spots. If any of that sounds familiar, trust me, there’s something on this list for you. These are the products that keep me (mostly) sane:
Step 1: Cleanser
Paula’s Choice – CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser – $22
Me and my girl Paula have been going strong for a while now, it’s getting serious. Actually, I would say that Paula’s Choice products make up a majority of my skincare routine!
At the moment my go to cleanser is the CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser. It’s gentle, unscented, and lathers beautifully. My skin feels clean yet hydrated, no tightness, no irritation. It’s the perfect base to start the rest of my skincare routine.
Tip: One of my favorite things about Paula’s Choice is their numbering system. They label each product to show where it fits in your routine (e.g., Cleanser is 1, Toner is 2, and so on). It’s such a lifesaver and made it so much easier for me to remember the right order and build a solid 5-step routine.
Step 2: Toner
Surprise, surprise! Paula’s Choice strikes again! *Another one, thank you* (Yes, I’m still quoting that TikTok sound). This time, there’s actually two products that I rotate between depending on how my skin’s feeling. If I’ve been on top of my routine (for once), I reach for the Pore-Reducing Toner. Why I love it: It’s refreshing, soothing, and leaves my skin feeling ridiculously soft.
Now, if it’s one of those weeks where I’ve completely fallen off the skincare wagon and my skin’s hanging on for dear life, the Nourishing Milky Toner steps in. This toner is thicker than most but leaves your skin looking juicy and beyond hydrated.
Step 3: Exfoliant
Paulas Choice – SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – $35
I promise this post isn’t sponsored by Paula’s Choice, their products just really do it for me. Case in point: the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, aka my holy grail. I don’t know what kind of sorcery they’ve bottled up here, but it clears my worst breakouts in just a few days. The moment I feel a pimple coming, this exfoliant is what I reach for. And the best part? It doesn’t leave my skin feeling all dry and thirsty, which is a rare blessing for an exfoliant. I’m telling you, this product absolutely deserves the hype!
Tip: If had one tip it’d be to follow to their recommendation of using it once every other day to start. It is an exfoliant, so it’s got a bit of a tingle to it (nothing painful!). You’d rather start out slow and build up use than overwhelm your skin with too much at once.
Step 4: Serum
Probably my favorite step in a skincare routine—maybe because I get to use that dropper tool (it’s weirdly satisfying), but mostly because this is where the real work is done. The difference In my skin after introducing serums has been night and day. There’s two serums that will always have a spot in my medicine cabinet: Milk Drops Ceramide Serum by Beekman 1802 and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% by The Ordinary.
The Beekman Milk Drops are made with a goat milk blend and you can feel the difference when using it. They describe this product as “being like yogurt for your skin” and I couldn’t explain it better myself. It’s noticeable nourishing.
The Niacinamide serum is one of The Ordinary’s top sellers for a reason. It’s lightweight, calming on the skin, and I’m always surprised by how well this settles into my skin.
Step 5: Moisturizer
Moisturizer: the grand finale of any good routine. The final seal that locks in all the hard work from the previous steps. I rotate between a few options, but my lineup always comes back to these three:
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask – $32
I was skeptical about this one at first. Laneige gets a lot of hype, but honestly, I wasn’t exactly “wowed” by their other products…..until I tried this sleeping mask. It feels so good on the skin. It’s lightweight yet rich and moisturizing at the same time. At first, I thought it was the kind of mask you rinse off after a few minutes or something, but you actually sleep in it over night. It dries down like a regular moisturizer, so you don’t have to worry about getting it onto your bedding or anything.
Paula’s Choice Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator – $39
This is my go-to for everything: my AM moisturizer, PM moisturizer, travel moisturizer, and everything in between. Honestly, you could probably stick with just this one and be completely fine. It’s got a gel-lotion formula that is super hydrating and gives me incredibly smooth skin. I don’t think I can ever part with this one.
Cerave Healing Ointment – $20
I typically use this in combination with either of the other moisturizers. When I mentioned moisturizer being the “final seal”, this is exactly what I was referring to. If you don’t already use it, give it a shot and you’ll know exactly what I mean. It kinda seems obvious that lathering your face in something similar to Aquaphor or Vaseline would give you baby soft skin, but not for me. On my body? Of course. But I felt like it would be too heavy on my face (I’m trying to get rid of the oil, not add to it). But when I woke up the next morning after using this, I couldn’t believe how soft, supple, and buttery-smooth my skin felt. I never looked back!
Bonus Step: Treatments
There’s nothing like a good skin treatment to reset your skin and get you back on track, and these are two powerhouse products I rely on for this: 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel by Paula’s Choice and AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution by The Ordinary. The most confusing thing about both these “peels” is that they’re not the kind you physically peel off—no peeling involved. You just rinse them off after a set amount of time.
Tip: Something to know about these peels is that they do have some sting to them, which is expected due to the exfoliants, but still. Fair warning. I prefer the Paula’s Choice peel a bit more, it leaves my skin soft, hydrated, and smooth after rinsing. When I use The Ordinary peel, my skin feels a little drier and I usually have to follow it up with a really hydrating moisturizer, like the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask.
Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid – $30
I have to give an honorable mention to the Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid. Technically, it’s a pimple patch, but it’s so effective that I’ve bumped it up to the “treatment” category. Kiehl’s suggests applying it as the last step in your skincare routine, but I’ve found it works best to apply after moisturizer, but before heavier creams like the Cerave Healing Ointment. You don’t want to rub it in too much after applying. Why I love it: It works wonders at shrinking pimples, fading dark spots, and managing acne-prone skin. Definitely a small but mighty addition to your routine!
My skincare routine has changed and evolved many times since my teen years, and honestly, will probably continue to. And when it does I’ll be right back here to fill the girls in on what’s worth the dollars and what’s not. But until then, I’ll be sticking to my go-to’s. Have a product that transformed your skin? I’m always looking for new gems, drop them in the comments! And if you try or use any of the products from my routine, tell me your thoughts! ❤️
