My Skin’s Mid-Life Crisis

A personal reflection on inflammation, resilience, and finally finding what works.

Early Beginnings: A Routine Born from Necessity

I started a skincare routine at age 11—not because I loved self-care or found joy in slathering on creams, but out of necessity.

I began showing signs of inflammation early on. Minor breakouts quickly escalated into full-blown teenage acne, leaving behind scarring across the central zone of my face—eyes, cheeks, and nose. The redness, the eruptions… they troubled me deeply and made me incredibly self-conscious. Even now, there are still days I find it hard to look at myself in the mirror.

Thankfully, my mom took notice and gently introduced me to higher-end skincare. My first regimen came from Clinique: a diagnostic-based 3-step routine featuring a weird amber-olive soap I loathed, a toner that reeked of alcohol, and a yellow cream whose smell and texture I hated even more.

At first, the habit didn’t stick. I wasn’t yet initiated into the true power of skincare and its potential to transform the skin.

Trial, Error & Adult Acne

In my teen years, I turned to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. They targeted the blemishes well—but often left my skin dry, discolored, and irritated. As I entered adulthood, the acne didn’t stop. My skin remained reactive and inflamed, and I cycled through endless routines: oil-free moisturizers, acne lotions, gels, hydrators, calming creams.

As a lifelong makeup wearer (and artist), I always understood the importance of giving my skin days off—to let it heal and breathe.

But between my sensitive skin, its inflammatory nature, and consistent breakouts, adult acne became my norm. And more recently, I began developing signs of rosacea.

Retinol, Lasers & Lockdowns

In my early 40s, I discovered retinol—a vitamin A derivative with incredible benefits for collagen production, acne management, and skin renewal. For a while, alternating between retinol and salicylic acid helped me keep things in check.

I even dabbled in laser treatments, which I highly recommend. If you're curious, I can refer you to Access Medica in Kirkland, QC—their laser specialist is kind, knowledgeable, and incredibly gentle. They helped me firm, smooth, and brighten my skin.

Oddly enough, my skin peaked during the pandemic lockdowns. Minimal exposure to pollution and stress made it glow like never before. It was glass-like—a finish I’d never seen on my own face.

The Breakdown

But the last few years brought trauma: a surgery, two lay-offs, and the heartbreaking closure of the programs I taught for nearly two decades.

My skin spiraled. It became red, inflamed, dull, and textured. My stress manifested through massive breakouts—Godzilla-sized pimples that wouldn’t heal. None of my holy grail products worked anymore. For a full year, I battled my skin with almost no relief.

Makeup could only do so much. You can conceal discoloration, but texture never lies. Covering raised, swollen blemishes? Nearly impossible.

The Azelaic Acid Revelation

Seven weeks ago, desperate, I typed my condition into AI and asked for recommendations for acne-rosacea-prone skin. The answer? Azelaic Acid—an ingredient I hadn’t explored yet.

Azelaic Acid is a wheat-based compound known for targeting inflammation, improving discoloration, boosting collagen, and calming reactive skin. It’s not mainstream, but it should be.

What I’m Using

If you’re curious about trying Azelaic Acid yourself, here are two products I’ve been experimenting with and would personally recommend:

• The INKEY List Redness Relief Solution (10% Azelaic Acid) – Affordable, lightweight, and great for reducing inflammation and redness. It’s a gentle introduction to the ingredient.

• The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% – A no-fuss formulation that delivers results. A bit creamier in texture, it’s effective for brightening and targeting texture.

Supporting Skin from Within

I also started revamping my diet:
✔ More berries, avocados, kale, carrots, nuts, and eggs
✔ Daily omega-3 sources
✔ Less sugar, less processed food
✔ Home-cooked meals, fresh dressings, and breads I bake myself

I added a daily yoga practice, which has helped both my physical and mental health. And thanks to a friend I’ve grown quite fond of, I started drinking saline water to improve hydration and electrolytes.

Light at the End of the Pore

These changes have made a remarkable difference in how I feel—mentally, emotionally, and physically. And slowly, they’ve begun to reflect in my skin.

Is that vain? Probably. But let’s be honest—we live in a society where looks matter, and there’s stigma attached to acne. So yes, seeing my glow return feels like a blessing.

And yes, Azelaic Acid caused a purge at first—those deep imperfections surfaced fast. But they diminished in size daily, and the scarring faded faster than I expected. After nearly 8 weeks, my skin is calming, the redness is fading, and the texture is smoothing out.

My skin is not yet flawless—and it may never be. At my age, discolorations take longer to fade. But each day, I wake up a little more comfortable in my own skin. And for that, I’m grateful.

Until then? There’s always concealer. 🖤

Please Note

Always patch test on your inner wrist to see how your skin reacts prior to using. As always, if any irritation or inflammation occurs, please consult a skincare professional.

Holy Grail Skincare Products

Today, I feel like sharing some of my holy grail skincare products. These are tried-and-true formulas that I have used for a long time, and I’ve fallen in love with their performance on my skin.

I have combination-oily skin, I’m also acne-prone, and my skin gets red easily. This means I’m often searching for products that calm inflammation and treat the occasional breakout.

The first thing I will say is that ingredients matter more to me than brand names or packaging. While ingredients are always important, how they are formulated is equally crucial. This is where the texture, slip, and spread of a product are perfected.

Secondly, remember that more expensive does not equal better results. The reality is that discipline and consistency in caring for your skin will yield far better results than occasional treatments. Think of skincare like working out: the more often you work out, the fitter you become. Your body reflects the choices you make, and your skin operates similarly—just give it the time it needs to improve. You’ll be amazed by the results.

Keep in mind that your skin needs at least 30 days with a product before you can begin to see real changes. Our skin functions on a roughly 28-day cycle, so patience is key.

Another tip: you’ll notice that all the products I’m sharing today are fragrance-free. Fragrance can be irritating to the skin and is unnecessary. While it enhances the sensory experience, it offers no actual benefits for the skin. In fact, fragrances are often protected by proprietary laws, meaning companies don’t have to disclose the chemicals used to create them.

I also avoid skincare products that contain denatured alcohol or just "alcohol" in the ingredients. While alcohol disinfects and keeps the product clean, it’s terrible for oxidizing the skin and promoting damage from free radicals. The higher up alcohol appears on the ingredient list, the higher its concentration in the product.

Favorite Moisturizers

CeraVe – Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin
I discovered CeraVe about eight years ago, and though the clinical packaging didn’t attract me at first, after several recommendations, I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by the brand’s wide variety of standout products.
This Moisturizing Lotion is a staple for me. Its simple yet effective formula includes ceramides that help restore the skin’s protective barrier. I love the pump-sized bottle, which contains 355 ml—about seven times what most companies offer for a fraction of the cost. Highly occlusive, non-comedogenic, and always gentle on my skin, I even use it on my feet, as it locks in moisture so well.

Skinfix – Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream & Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream
Out of all the higher-end moisturizers I’ve tried over the past 15 years, Skinfix stands out. Based in Canada, Skinfix focuses on restoring the skin's barrier (notice a theme here? Let’s restore our skin’s barrier 😉).
The Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream is my go-to during spring and summer. Its lightweight texture absorbs beautifully, keeps my skin clear and moisturized without causing breakouts, and leaves my skin looking plump.
In the fall and winter, I switch to the Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream for extra hydration. It instantly calms redness and provides intense moisture during the colder months.
Both creams come in refillable packaging, which makes them more cost-effective over time. For me, these are some of the few creams that are worth the investment.

Favorite Thermal Water

Uriage – Eau Thermale
A skincare secret I discovered years ago is using thermal water between each step of my routine.
Not only is it incredibly refreshing, but the thermal water is also rich in minerals that your skincare products then seal into the skin, creating a plumped appearance. I use Uriage Eau Thermale religiously, especially to soothe irritated eyes during winter. It’s also excellent for anyone using hyaluronic acid serums—lock in that extra hydration!

Favorite Eye Cream

The INKEY List – Retinol Eye Cream
I’ve been using this eye cream for at least five years, and my under-eye area doesn’t seem to age! So, for anyone who says eye creams don’t work, I beg to differ.
This gentle retinol formula is a powerhouse for rejuvenating the skin around the eyes. It contains shea butter, which moisturizes and locks in hydration. My skin feels plump and smooth after each application, and I love the texture and slip it offers.

Favorite Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice – Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This iconic gray bottle is the best-selling product from Paula’s Choice, and for good reason. The 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is one of the most effective exfoliants I’ve used. It clears out pores without being harsh and leaves the skin hydrated and smooth. I use it every other night, and it gives my skin a gorgeous sheen—perfect for anyone aiming for that glass-skin effect.

Favorite Korean Skincare

COSRX – Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Choosing a favorite from COSRX was tough since I use several of their products daily. However, I’ve been using the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence the longest, and it’s a game-changer.
Snail mucin, while unconventional, is an incredible humectant and skin-repairing agent. It retains water and helps repair free-radical damage caused by pollution. I’ve completely replaced hyaluronic acid in my routine with this product—it’s that good.

These are the products I keep repurchasing.

While I initially discovered Skinfix through PR, I’ve become a regular customer.

I am not sponsored by any of these companies; I’m just a fan of their achievements.

Until next time, keep protecting and nourishing your beautiful skin, and remember—define your beauty on your own terms!