Tips for Effective Face Reality Skincare

14 March, 2024

I've been dealing with acne for what seems like forever. I developed acne in middle school and had severe outbreaks until I switched to hormonal birth control at age 16. Fortunately, the pill kept my face quite free for almost a decade—but when I stopped taking it lately, my acne returned with a fury. I had reoccurring cystic breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and texture for the first time in over a decade.

I sought professional aid after attempting several remedies, including increasing my Spironolactone medication, changing my pillows, and using spot treatments, without success. Finally, my search brought me to Sofie Pavitt, a New York-based skincare specialist and certified esthetician who specializes in acne and blemish-prone skin. While Pavitt provides consultations and specialized facials, I was especially intrigued to her Acne Program. The program lasted a few months and included regular face sessions, weekly check-ins, and basically having Sofie available for any and all of your acne-related inquiries. After our first session, she introduced me to Face Reality, an acne-focused skincare line that Pavitt began using in 2019.

Laura Cooksey co-founded Face Reality in 2005 after struggling with acne until her mid-thirties. She was encouraged to become a qualified esthetician after meeting an esthetician who helped her skin clean up. Laura created an acne-only clinic 15 years later and founded the Certified Acne Experts group. She then offered her Face Reality products to estheticians, who used them to assist their customers attain clean skin. Face Reality has now grown into an award-winning acne company dedicated to treating even the most difficult types of acne. So, following Pavitt's advise, I tried the line and was really pleased with the results—read on for my complete Face Reality review and before and after photos.

How does Face Reality's referral-only model work?

While Face Reaity's acne-friendly products have been a blessing for me, don't feel left out if you've never heard of the company. Face Reality's referral strategy requires estheticians to suggest and utilize their products, making it difficult to locate. To sample the products, visit the Face Reality website and schedule an appointment with an esthetician. This specialist will examine your profile, skin issues, and other factors before creating a program suited to your specific requirements. Only when the esthetician has determined that you are a candidate for Face Reality can you buy the products—and only the ones they prescribe for your precise, tailored skincare regimen.

The "referral"'s purpose is to cut through the noise and clutter of the acne business, which overwhelms (and confuses) customers, and deliver a straightforward, effective, easy-to-follow regimen. "The hardest part about treating acne is keeping clients consistent and not straying from a routine," Pavitt said. And, to be honest, my reduced Face Reality regimen helped me remain consistent.

My Acne-Fighting Routine and Face Reality

Although my regimen changed while I was in Pavitt's Acne Program, the main ingredients remained the same. The dosage of the acids varied based on how my skin responded, which was my favorite aspect of the program. I had a shifting regimen since, ultimately, "There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for acne," according to Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist.The Face Reality product range shown below cleansed my skin and helped me keep it that way.

Ultra gentle cleanser

Face Reality Ultra Gentle Cleanser

Face Reality's Ultra Gentle Cleanser is designed for acne-prone skin and offers additional advantages to balance and soothe the skin. The product includes licorice extract, a skin brightener that helps reduce hyperpigmentation (post-breakout dark patches) and provide anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, it has makeup-removing capabilities, which I can speak to as someone who has used it several times to remove a complete face.

5% L-Mandelic Serum.

face reality skincare

Exfoliation is a very crucial element of curing acne. "One of the main causes of acne is clogged pores, which occurs when dead skin cells, excess sebum and debris collect within the pores and become infected" according to Dr. Engelman. Causing, you guessed it, acne. Dr. Engelman recommends Mandelic acid as a mild exfoliator that removes dead skin cells, clears pores, and reduces blemishes. Because of its mild exfoliating capabilities, I've been using it both morning and night to cure my acne.

2.5% Acne Med.

face reality skincare

Face Reality's Acne Med is a water-based gel containing benzoyl peroxide as its major active component. Benzoyl peroxide is well-known for being an acid that treats acne. That's due to the fact that it "Kills bacteria beneath the skin's surface and helps prevent clogged pores, making it excellent for treating acne breakouts and maintaining clearer skin," according to Dr. Engelman. I've discovered that by using this cream nightly, my acne cures quicker and my breakouts are less frequent.

Hydrabalance

Face Reality Hydrabalance.

When applying actives on your skin, it's critical to keep it adequately hydrated, which is why Hydrabalance will always have a place in my regimen. Hydrabalance is a water-based moisturizing gel with sodium hyaluronate to relieve dryness, decrease wrinkles, and restore the skin. Because of its texture, this gel may be used after toner and serum to provide hydration before applying actives. I've also found it to be quite soothing and cooling on my painful breakouts.

Clearderma Moisturizer

Face Reality Clearderma Moisturizer

Moisturization is essential for keeping your skin barrier moisturized and healthy. But many moisturizers include comedogenic chemicals, which can aggravate your acne. Aside from being acne-free, what I like most about this recipe is how lightweight it is while simultaneously being really moisturizing to my skin. This product contains Green Tea Extract, which reduces sebum and soothes and protects the skin, as well as Allantoin, a moisturizer and exfoliant that promotes healing of wounded skin. I simply need a little amount of this moisturizer to cover my whole face, therefore it's usually the last thing I replenish.

Daily SPF 30 lotion.

Face Reality Daily SPF 30 Lotion.

The final item I use before makeup is Face Reality's Daily SPF 30 Lotion. This product offers UVA and UVB protection, mixes well, and does not leave a white cast, making it ideal for use with makeup. As an added benefit, it includes Green Tea extract and Allantoin, as do several of the Face Reality Products in my regimen, to soothe and protect my skin all day.

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