Over the past year and a half, I’ve dipped my toe into doing slightly more invasive things to my skin, namely micro-needling and the Clear & Brilliant laser. I’m going to write a big post about these things in next Monday’s Substack (you can also reference last year’s post!), but in the meantime I want to talk about what I do after a treatment. After something like microneedling, your skin is very red for a few days. It’s sensitive and vulnerable! My facialist says “no actives for five days!!!!” and truthfully, sometimes I go longer than that, just because my skin still doesn’t feel fully like its best self.
Here are the super gentle products I rely on to make the healing process a little easier.
My skincare recovery kit
CeraVé Hydrating Facial Cleanser: A creamy, ultra gentle non-irritating cleanser. When I got my first Clear and Brilliant laser, my aesthetician sent me home with a small bottle of this. I’ve since repurchased it a few times as it really is the best when your skin is under distress.
For moisture:
CeraVé Daily Moisturizing Lotion: A great basic moisturizer that will not irritate your skin. After my Clear & Brilliant I would apply this a few times a day! It’s pretty lightweight so I found myself constantly putting on more.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm: When I get microneedled, my facialist begs me to only use this on my skin for at least the first few days. I really try, but it’s soooo thick. And it leaves behind a white cast. That said, it speeds up the healing process and feels amazing on your skin. So I generally find that using the CeraVé for daytime + this at night is the winning combination
Revision Skincare Hydrating Biocellulose Mask: Immediately after my Clear & Brilliant, my aesthetician put this on my face while she did my hands and chest. RELIEF!!!! That treatment basically feels like having your face electrocuted (I am dramatic, yes), and my skin felt so hot afterward. This brought on the most wonderful cooling, calming sensation—incredible after a procedure. She sent me home with another one to do before bedtime. That night, I sat in front of the TV with this on for a full hour. It felt so good — soothing and hydrating. It’s an excellent way to add moisture back after something more invasive… without any irritation. I immediately purchased a six-pack, and now I use this the night after I get microneedled as well.
In Lieu of Makeup
SkinBetter Advanced Mineral Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 75: Sometimes you do just need a little coverage. I remember after my Clear & Brilliant, I really wanted to go to a cocktail party a few hours later, but I was so red! My aesthetician put this on me (this is when I first fell in love with the product), and I was blown away by how much better my face looked. It really covers up redness (while giving your skin extreme SPF protection, which you need after a treatment like microneedling or a laser because your skin is so vulnerable). For touchups, I really like the compact.
For Everyday Redness Relief
Elta MD UV Skin Recovery SPF 50: This is a great SPF and it’s easier to take off than the SkinBetter (that one is just so thick — in a good way!). It makes a noticeable difference in redness.
InnBeauty Calm the Red Down: This makes a noticeable difference in redness! If my skin still feels irritated (like 3 or 4 days after a treatment), I will use this before makeup; it cancels out any redness in an instant.
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