PCOS Blemishes & Breakouts

[AshleyM711]

Hi, 

Im on here looking for recommendations for my skincare. Also on routine building. I’ve struggled with PCOS for years now so some acne here or there. After having my baby, everything’s gone south. Lots of blemishes. Lots of breakouts. Extreme hyperpigmentation. I’m lost on what products to use and when to use. Also, any suggestions on a primer that I can use to blur out my pores and matte out my oil? 
- a lost momma lol

[Sweensxo]

The Laura Mercier Blurring Primer is great!! You can’t go wrong with any of her primers- been using them for over a decade!

You definitely need to use vitamin c for the hyperpigmentation. The best one for that is the is clinical CE Ferulic which isn’t sold at Sephora. It’s the most clinically studied and proven to work vitamin c serum on the market but it does cost about $180. You would use this in the morning (any vitamin C in the am so you can use any exfoliating products or retinol at night) and make sure you’re wearing sunscreen!

I know retinol isn’t safe for pregnancy but I’m not sure about if you’re still breastfeeding if it’s safe for them, so definitely check. Using vitamin c in the am and retinol at night would do wonders for your hyperpigmentation and acne. I also struggle with PCOS and have since I was 16 (I’m 33 now) so I feel your pain- I also deal with acne here and there and breakouts because of it and also sebaceous filaments on my nose and retinol has helped so so much. The Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® Treatment Serum 1 oz / 30 mL is my go to one that is at Sephora. It’s great if you’ve got more sensitive skin and not super harsh or drying. The other one that is wonderful but is not sold at Sephora is from Medik8 called Crystal Retinal and they have different strengths, so you can start at a lower strength if you’re new to retinol and work up to the highest and get the maximum benefit! 

The other product that has helped my breakouts so much is Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Hypochlorous Acid Spray for Breakouts & Redness 4 oz/ 120 mL I use it before I put anything else on my face- my esthetician calls it “bleach for your face in the best way” because it isn’t harsh like bleach but it helps to keep the skin clear!

Hopefully this gets you started and in the right direction- Let me know if you need anything else or have any other questions!