Alyssa Ponticello // In Good Taste

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The One Thing I Swear By for Adult Acne

Alyssa Ponticello

The One Thing I Swear By for Adult Acne

I used to be one of those people who thought toner was a joke.

Like, ok, let me swipe some liquid across my face. It basically feels like water but I’m sure it will make SUCH a difference (insert eye roll). I mean, honestly, I doubted it so much that for the longest time I didn’t even use it, or occasionally I would use witch hazel because it was affordable and accessible and again, I didn’t really think toner did much so why would I spend money or effort on it?

Meanwhile, I was trying everything left and right to clear up my acne- different creams, different treatments, different supplements, different dietary changes (like eliminating dairy). It never even occurred to me that that thing I referred to as “like water” could actually be the one thing that would make all the difference.

At another point I will do a full post on my acne skincare routine, but, for reference, here’s a quick summary of my background with breakouts- as a teenager I would definitely get a few pimples, but nothing crazy. It wasn’t until later in life that I really started to struggle, and not just during “that time of month”, but all month long. Incorporating toners, and the right toners at that, is what changed the game for me, keyword being “right”. Oh, and, you know, to actually use toners in the first place.

The first official toner (aka one that wasn’t witch hazel) that I started using is the cult classic Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50. I bought my first bottle 6 or 7 years ago, when all that I could really afford was witch hazel but the allure of curing my acne was stronger than the allure of saving money. If you are unfamiliar, P50 is an extremely strong exfoliating toner, although there are a couple of variations depending on your skin type (I got the original P50). It’s incorporated into a routine gradually, and never meant to be used every single night. Oh, and it smells horrendous. So basically I spent everything in my piggy bank to upgrade from water to onion-y smelling water. Perfect.

Thankfully, and much to my surprise, I did notice a difference almost immediately, not only with my acne but also the overall tone and texture of my skin. I continued using the product and, to this day, I still use P50 1-2x a week. However, to keep my acne at bay, I realized I needed to be using a toner every day, and while I think a strong exfoliating toner is an important toner to have in your arsenal, it’s just too harsh to use at such high frequency.

However, for years I stuck it out with just the witch hazel and Lotion P50. But somewhere in the midst of products that have been sent to me over the years, I happened upon a few more toners, and, while I didn’t think much of them at the time, they’ve now gone on to become essential parts of keeping my skin acne free. Funnily enough, while I enjoyed each one while I was testing it out, I didn’t think either made much of a difference. So when the bottles ran out, I didn’t even think to re-order. I went back to my witch hazel…and my skin went back to breaking out. At first I couldn’t figure out why, but after running through my product list, eventually it dawned on me- it was the toners. And that’s the moment I became a believer (of toners that is). The two that I now can’t live without are January Labs Daily Brightening Tonic and Caudalie’s Purifying Toner.

January Labs actually has witch hazel in it, but it also has lactic acid, which is a key ingredient for gently exfoliating skin to reveal a brighter, better complexion. And Caudalie’s star ingredient is salicylic acid, which, if you’ve looked at any acne products before I’m sure you’re familiar with it as it’s a key ingredient when it comes to fighting breakouts. However, I’ve never found a salicylic acid product that agreed with my sensitive skin. It would always cause redness, dryness, rashes and itchiness. And a lot of times it would even stain my clothes and pillow. However, Caudalie’s product is super gentle and I’ve never once had any issues or sensitivities. It just keeps my skin bright, clear and acne free.

All three toners are now essential parts of my skincare routine, and I firmly believe that I need all three to keep my skin free from breakouts. Trust me, when I run out and have forgotten to re-order, my skin promptly reminds me. While I know everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one, might not work for another, I wanted to share my experience with toners and how they’ve made a difference in my skin and with my acne. Keep reading to find out exactly how I incorporate them into my routine, and how you can use them, too.

Here’s exactly how I use these three toners to keep my skin bright, even, clear and acne free.

DAILY AM

  1. Cleanse (or just splash my face with water, depending on the needs of my skin)

  2. JANUARY LABS DAILY BRIGHTENING TONIC (apply to a cotton pad and lightly rub it in upwards motions all over the face)

  3. Gua sha with a light face oil (usually this one)

  4. Remainder of skincare routine


DAILY PM

  1. Cleanse (double cleanse, if I’ve been wearing makeup)

  2. CAUDALIE VINOPURE PURIFYING TONER (apply to a cotton pad and gently pat all over face, giving any areas prone to breakouts a few extra pats/special attention)

  3. Remainder of skincare routine, including a retinal or acid product of some sort

1X2 PER WEEK

1x2 a week I replace Caudalie with the P50. On the nights I use P50, I skip retinol or any other acids.

NOTES

If I do notice a bit of a breakout popping up, I will skip the January Labs Tonic and just use the Caudalie toner in both the morning and evening for a day or two, or until any sign of the breakout goes away.