I Haven't Broken Out in 6 Months Thanks to These 4 Products

Up until a few months ago, I was convinced that airplanes equal acne, since I couldn't seem to board a flight without having a zit pop up on my face soon after. Then, I learned about the sunscreen trick that so many beauty enthusiasts swear by. The idea is that wearing a physical sunscreen (as opposed to a chemical one) in-flight will help physically deflect harmful bacteria away from your skin just as it does with harmful UV rays. And I've got to say: it works. I've applied this trick on close to 20 flights since learning about it, and I haven't broken out once. I particularly like the Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen ($36), since it's formulated with 20% zinc oxide, doesn't leave a white cast, and is tinted, so I don't also need to wear foundation on top of it.

I've always been good about double cleansing, but it wasn't until I started using a clay-based cleanser as a second step after removing my makeup that I really started to see results. I produce a lot of oil naturally, which often leads to blocked pores. Clay helps to balance out my skin by absorbing the excess sebum and leaving behind a matte finish. I love the Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser ($45) since it contains both green and rhassoul clay for a deep clean. For a more affordable option, I've also heard good things about the Kiehl's 'Rare Earth' Deep Pore Daily Cleanser ($23).

For years, I had been under the assumption that oils were good for my oily skin thanks to the whole oil attracting oil logic. But when I went to see my dermatologist after that fateful reactionary flareup, he told me all oil-based products needed to go, since they were the likely culprit of my clogged pores and inflamed skin. Instead, he recommended that I hydrate my skin with a water-based gel moisturizer (after my recovery period), and it's been the single most impactful change I've made. I've been using the Biossance Squalene + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer ($52) ever since, and my skin loves it. The combination of the cooling gel consistency and the probiotic ingredient really helps to reduce any redness.

Similarly to how my dermatologist recommended eliminating the amount of products I was using, an esthetician at my go-to skincare studio recommended cutting down the amount of steps in my regimen. Up until that point, I had been using cleanser both day and night in an attempt to keep my face squeaky clean. But she said that as long as I was cleansing before bed, there was no need to repeat that step in the morning, as it could be drying out my skin (and leading to more oil production throughout the day) — I could skip straight to the toner instead. She recommended the Kristina Holey + Marie Veronique Balancing HypoTonic ($45) to help maintain my skin's natural moisture and pH levels, and it does a great job at keeping my face looking and feeling balanced.