If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you know how tricky it can be to find the right balance between hydration, oil control, and acne prevention. After years of trial and error, I have finally settled on a skincare routine that keeps my skin clear, controls excess oil, and promotes healing. Here’s what works best for me:

Skincare Journey by- Chokherbaali

Morning Routine (AM)

1. Cleansing

Starting the day with a gentle face wash ensures that my skin is clean but not stripped of essential moisture. My go-to options are:

• CosrX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser – Keeps my skin balanced without irritation.
• Simple Refreshing Facial Wash – A mild yet effective formula for cleansing excess oil.

💡 Pro Tip: Instead of using a towel, I let my face air dry to avoid bacteria transfer. While some people opt for paper towels, I find them wasteful and not eco-friendly.

2. Toner

Toners help prep the skin and calm irritation. I prefer using toners with tea tree or centella extracts, which are known for their soothing properties. My top picks:

• Benton Tea Tree Toner – Helps calm inflammation and prevent breakouts.
• Numbuzin No. 3 Glowing Essence Toner – My current favorite for adding hydration and maintaining balance.

3. Moisturizer

Even oily skin needs hydration! My go-to moisturizer is:

• Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Moisturizer – Lightweight yet deeply hydrating without making my skin greasy.

4. Sunscreen

Never skip sunscreen! I apply three fingers’ worth of sunscreen to ensure full coverage. My favorite:

• Aqualogica Glow+ Dewy Sunscreen – Provides sun protection while giving a beautiful glow.

Night Routine (PM)

1. Double Cleansing

At night, I make sure to remove sunscreen and impurities properly with a double cleanse method:

• Oil Cleanser: The Face Shop’s Oil Cleanser – Effectively removes sunscreen and makeup without clogging pores.
• Second Cleanse: Bioderma Pigmentbio Face Wash – A gentle exfoliating cleanser that brightens and smoothens my skin.

2. Treatment: Tretinoin 0.025%

Tretinoin is my holy grail for acne prevention, healing scars, and improving skin texture. Since tretinoin should be applied on completely dry skin, I skip the toner at night.

💡 Pro Tip: Applying tret on damp skin can increase irritation, so waiting for the skin to dry is essential.

3. Moisturizer

To keep my skin hydrated and prevent irritation from tretinoin, I use:

• Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Moisturizer – Provides the perfect balance of hydration without feeling heavy.

My Acne Journey & What Worked for Me

I have tried countless acne treatments, including Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, and various other actives, but none worked effectively for my persistent acne. Eventually, my dermatologist prescribed Isotretinoin 20mg, which helped significantly reduce breakouts. Now, I rely on tretinoin as a maintenance treatment to keep my skin clear, prevent new acne, and fade scars.

Why I Switched to OTC Maintenance:

• Isotretinoin helped clear my skin, but I needed a long-term maintenance plan.
• Tretinoin has been the most effective treatment for preventing acne and improving overall skin texture.
• A simple and consistent routine works best—no need for excessive actives.

Final Thoughts

Skincare is not one-size-fits-all, but if you have oily, acne-prone skin, a gentle yet effective approach is key. Focusing on cleansing, hydration, sun protection, and targeted treatments like tretinoin has been a game-changer for me. If you’re struggling with acne, consulting a dermatologist can help you find the right treatment plan.

Have you found your holy grail skincare products? Let me know in the comments!