Lip Service 💋 #4: Porcelain and Poreless

or how I keep my skin smooth in this humidity

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Ciao, beauty.

I have a confession: I’m a lifelong skin picker.

Okay—maybe not the chicest admission, but we’re all friends here, right? Ever since my tween days in the theater department (hello, stage makeup and hormonal chaos), I’ve had a... hands-on relationship with my pores. Blackhead? Gone. Sebaceous filament? Evicted with extreme prejudice. A pimple? A personal affront.

Did I make it worse? Often. Did I learn from it? Eventually.

I’ve made nearly every mistake in the skincare manual—so you don’t have to. Today’s newsletter is your shortcut to clear, smooth, genuinely happy skin—no extraction tools or chaos required.

Gala season necessitates glowy, clear skin.

💡 The Beauty Breakdown

Let’s talk pore patrol. Because if you’re trying to keep skin clear, smooth, and not screaming at you by midweek, you need more than just vibes and micellar water.

Double Cleansing

If you’re wearing sunscreen every day (which you should be—if not, please close this newsletter and go directly to Issue #2. You have bigger problems), then double cleansing is non-negotiable. Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down SPF, makeup, and the general grime of city life. I get that smearing oil on your face feels counterintuitive, but chemistry says: like dissolves like. Oil lifts oil. It melts away sebum, softens sebaceous filaments, and sets the stage for your actual cleanser to do its job. Without it, you’re basically just massaging sunscreen deeper into your pores. Not cute.

Exfoliating (aka: chemical gentle force)

Here’s the thing: your skin naturally sheds dead cells every 28-ish days. But as we age (and stress, travel, and life in general pile on), that process gets... lazy. Dead cells linger, pores get clogged, texture builds up, and suddenly your glow has gone MIA.

Enter: acids. These chemical exfoliants are like your skin’s personal reset button. Instead of scrubbing away with harsh physical exfoliants (please retire your apricot scrub), acids gently dissolve the glue that holds dead cells together, helping them shed more evenly and effectively.

The result?

• Smoother texture

• Brighter tone

• Fewer breakouts

• Smaller-looking pores

• Better absorption of your fancy serums and moisturizers

Think of acids as your skincare routine’s backstage crew—they’re not the headliner, but nothing works properly without them. Use them correctly, and you’ll unlock skin that’s clearer, glowier, and way more cooperative.

A Tale of Two Acids: AHAs vs. BHAs

Let’s break it down. There are two main categories of exfoliating acids, and each has its specialty.

Alpha hydroxy acids—or AHAs, if you’re in the know—are your go-to glow agents. They’re water-soluble exfoliants that gently unglue dead skin cells from the surface, smoothing texture, brightening tone, and making way for that glassy, moonlit glow. No gritty scrubs, no angry red cheeks—just science and softness.

The key is picking the right one for your skin’s vibe:

• Glycolic Acid – The overachiever. It’s the smallest molecule of the bunch, which means deep penetration and major results. Best for oily, congested, or aging skin. Not the gentlest, so proceed mindfully if your skin throws tantrums.

• Lactic Acid – Hydrating and exfoliating? Yes, queen. Lactic is ideal for dry or reactive skin types and is a gentle gateway AHA for beginners.

• Mandelic Acid – The sensitive skin whisperer. It works slowly and steadily, making it ideal for acne-prone skin or melanin-rich tones looking to fade hyperpigmentation without irritation.

• Tartaric & Malic Acids – The quiet co-stars. These support other AHAs by balancing pH and rounding out formulas. They’re rarely leading ladies, but they keep the show running smoothly.

Start slow—2 to 3 nights a week—and always apply at night. Never layer with retinoids unless you love chaos. (Spoiler: your skin doesn’t.)

BHA: The Breakout Whisperer

If AHAs buff the surface, BHAs go underground. These oil-soluble exfoliants dive deep into pores to dissolve sebum, unclog congestion, and calm inflammation. Perfect for acne-prone, oily, or “Why are my blackheads suddenly back?” skin.

Your power players:

• Salicylic Acid – The OG. Unclogs, soothes, de-gunks. Great for blemish-prone skin, but can be drying if you overdo it. Think of her as your tough-love esthetician in a bottle.

• Betaine Salicylate – K-beauty’s gentler take on BHA. Less harsh, still effective, and better suited for sensitive types looking for slow-and-steady wins.

• Willow Bark Extract – Nature’s version of salicylic acid. It’s less potent but great for calming and clarity. Bonus points for soothing redness while it clears.

Use your BHA 1–3x a week, ideally after cleansing and before serum or moisturizer. As with AHAs, skip it on retinoid nights.

Retinoids

You already know my thoughts from Newsletter #3 (if you don’t, scroll back—it’s a cornerstone). A good retinoid keeps cell turnover moving, helps unclog pores, and builds collagen while it’s at it. Use it at night, and not on exfoliation days. The goal is renewal, not a chemical burn.

Keeping It Clean (without the drama)

I keep a hypochlorous acid spray on hand like it’s holy water. This gentle antimicrobial mist is what your skin naturally produces to fight bacteria and heal wounds. You’ll find it in Tower 28’s SOS line and SkinSmart’s blue bottle of dreams.

It’s perfect post-sweat, post-subway, or anytime you feel that “something’s brewing” tingle. One caveat: hypochlorous acid can reduce the potency of certain antioxidants, so layer smart. Make sure your serums and actives are fully dried down before misting your way to dermal peace.

💄 The Gloss Report

We’ve cycled through glass skin, jello skin, mochi skin, and glazed-donut glow—each promising bounce, clarity, and that fresh-from-a-facial sheen. But lately, radiance has turned inward. The new face of skincare? It’s collagen in your morning matcha, magnesium for better sleep, and influencer-backed supplements promising skin so good you’ll skip foundation.

Welcome to the era of holistic beauty—where skincare and wellness blur into a ritual that’s part self-care, part science, and part… savvy marketing.

Celebrity-led brands like Jennifer Aniston’s long-running Vital Proteins partnership and Kourtney Kardashian’s Lemme gummy empire have glamorized the glow-from-within promise. Meanwhile, category veterans like Olly have long been pushing beauty-focused gummies and powders. Retailers are catching up—Sephora and Ulta now dedicate prime shelf space to supplements that were once tucked away in health food aisles.

But as the ingestible beauty boom continues, so does the question: does any of it actually work? Ingredients like collagen peptides and ceramides show real clinical potential, but many others are more sparkle than substance. A lack of industry regulation means claims often outpace research—leaving consumers chasing radiance that might be more placebo than payoff.

Still, performance isn’t the only appeal. There’s comfort in ritual, allure in branding, and a cultural shift toward beauty that feels good, even if results are hard to measure. The 12-step routine may be waning, but sipping your skincare? That’s very in.

So, is this the future of beauty—or just a shiny, berry-flavored fantasy? Maybe both.

✨ Beauty Rx: Chemist Confessions Baby Steps Gentle Exfoliation Treatment & Specialist Blackhead Treatment

All thoughts, opinions, and cheeky commentary are entirely my own. Every product featured here was purchased with my own money—no sponsorships, no freebies, just honest-to-glow reviews.

As we’ve established, my skin is princess-tier: sensitive, dramatic, and a little high-maintenance. So when it comes to exfoliants, I tread carefully. Enter: Chemist Confessions Baby Steps Gentle Exfoliation Treatment — a 15% lactic acid formula that’s gentle enough to cocktail with your daily serum. She’s the soft-spoken overachiever of acids, ideal for glow-chasers with easily irritated skin.

Now, if you're feeling brave (or just really fed up with your T-zone), their Specialist Blackhead Treatment means business. This formula packs 18% mandelic acid, 2% salicylic acid, and 5% niacinamide — a serious triple-threat for tackling blackheads, sebaceous filaments, and pore congestion. It’s clinical-grade, but still elegant on skin.

Both treatments play well in two ways:

1. As a booster — Add a drop to your favorite water-based serum (trust me, mixology matters here).

2. As a mask — Use alone for 15–20 minutes once a week for a deeper exfoliating moment.

My pro-tip? Baby Steps on the cheeks, Specialist on the T-zone as a weekly mask. It’s like zoning your acids, and your skin will thank you.

💋 Final Touch

Okay, I spilled mine—now it’s your turn. Have you ever been a skin picker? What finally helped you stop… or at least chill? Or are you still in your villain era, fingers hovering over a rogue whitehead? No judgment here—just curiosity, camaraderie, and a chance to swap your best (or worst) pore patrol strategies.

Reply to this email or leave a comment—because beauty is better when we talk about it together 💖!

Until next time—keep your skin dewy and your lips glossy.

TTFN,
💋✨ Lauren

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed in Lip Service are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or any affiliated brands. My insights are based on personal experience, research, and a lifelong obsession with beauty—no corporate influence, just real talk. Also, I’m not a dermatologist—so while I love sharing skincare tips and product recs, always consult a professional for personalized advice.