Confidence Starts Beneath the Surface

One of the most frustrating things we hear from acne clients in our Union and Chapin office’s is this: "I’m doing everything right—so why am I still breaking out?" The truth is, sometimes the very products you’re using to help your skin are the ones making it worse. From pore-clogging ingredients to overuse of harsh actives, it’s easy to unintentionally create a routine that’s doing more harm than good. At About Face Aesthetics , our job is to take the guesswork out of skincare. Here’s how to tell if your products might be making your acne worse—and how we can help you reset your routine. 1. You’re Using Comedogenic Products (Even the “Clean” Ones) Not all skincare is acne-safe—even the ones that say “non-comedogenic” on the label. Some of the most common breakout triggers are hidden in moisturizers, sunscreens, and even “clean” or organic products. Watch out for ingredients like: Coconut oil Shea butter Algae extract Isopropyl myristate Lanolin These can block pores and trigger breakouts, especially on acne-prone or oily skin. The hard part? These ingredients are often found in products marketed as nourishing or gentle. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll go through your current skincare lineup to flag what’s helping and what’s hurting. We also recommend only medical-grade skincare proven to support healthy, balanced skin—without the hidden culprits. You can explore the options we trust in our Shop Skin Care store. 2. You’re Over-Exfoliating Scrubs, glycolic pads, AHA cleansers, retinoids… if you’re using all of them at once, you may be damaging your skin barrier. When your barrier becomes compromised, your skin responds with redness, inflammation, flakiness—and often, more breakouts. Over-exfoliation is a major reason adult acne persists, even with a “good” routine. We see this all the time during our custom skincare consultations , especially in clients trying to fix texture or prevent aging. The solution? A smarter, gentler plan tailored to your skin type, your acne pattern, and your lifestyle. 3. You’re Missing Core Acne-Fighting Ingredients—Or Using Them Wrong Not all acne is the same. You may need salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, a retinoid, or none of those at all. But the order, timing, and balance of your products matter. We frequently see: Retinoids layered with the wrong moisturizer (or none at all) Too much salicylic acid stripping the skin and increasing oil production Spot treatments overused, causing more inflammation When we design your skincare plan, we help you simplify, not complicate. Just a few key steps with the right ingredients can change everything—and we make sure you’re using them in the right way. 4. You’re Not Matching Products to Your In-Office Treatments Your skin responds best when your at-home products are designed to support your in-office treatments. Whether you’re getting microneedling, IPL or chemical peels, your skincare should enhance healing—not delay it. Medical-grade skincare is formulated for exactly this reason. And because we know how your skin will react post-treatment, we’ll walk you through a recovery and maintenance routine that maximizes your results without irritation. 5. You’re Trying to Copy Someone Else’s Routine This is a big one. Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all—especially when it comes to acne. Just because a product worked for your friend or your favorite influencer doesn’t mean it will work for your skin. Our Union and Chapin clients often come in after months (or years) of trial-and-error. The biggest difference they notice after working with us? Clarity. Direction. And finally—results. Let’s Build a Routine That Works for You You don’t need 10 steps. You just need the right 3–5 that work together and support your skin through every season, every stressor, and every stage of healing.  If you’re ready to stop guessing and start healing, book your consultation and let’s create a routine that’s personalized, effective, and designed just for your skin.

Custom Facials, IPL, Pico, RF Microneedling and Tixel—What’s Right for Your Skin? If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of breakouts, harsh products, and over-the-counter “solutions” that never seem to work, you’re not alone. Adult acne is complex. It’s influenced by hormones, stress, environment, and genetics—which means your approach to treatment needs to be just as dynamic. At About Face Aesthetics , we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. That’s why we offer advanced, in-office skincare devices that go deeper than products alone to help you fight breakouts, fade scars, and restore skin clarity— without damaging your barrier or making inflammation worse . Let’s break down some of our most powerful acne-fighting technologies: Custom Facials, IPL, Pico, RF Microneedling and Tixel —and how we personalize each one to your skin. Custom Acne Facials: A Starting Point for Clarity A professional facial may sound like a luxury, but at About Face, our Hot Snack Facial is designed as a targeted treatment with real results. Each facial is tailored to your skin condition that day—whether that’s breakouts, irritation, clogged pores, or post-acne healing. What we may include: Deep pore cleansing Gentle exfoliation Calming masks Manual extractions (if needed) Medical-grade serums targeted to your skin's current needs Our clients love this option for monthly maintenance, treating hormonal acne flare-ups, or building skin resilience before jumping into more intensive treatments. We also use facials to prepare or recover from deeper device-based treatments like microneedling or IPL. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): Redness, Meet Your Match While most people think of IPL for brown spots, it’s also an amazing tool for acne-prone skin—especially for calming redness and reducing inflammation. IPL works by delivering pulses of light energy into the skin, targeting both pigmented and vascular issues . It helps: Calm red, inflamed breakouts Kill acne-causing bacteria Reduce post-acne redness and discoloration Improve skin tone and texture over time This treatment is a great option for acne with a lot of redness, post-acne scarring, or inflammation that doesn’t respond well to topical products. We often recommend IPL in a series of treatments , spaced a few weeks apart, and build it into a larger plan with skincare and lifestyle support. PICO Laser: Gentle, No-Downtime Skin Resurfacing PICO laser technology is an excellent treatment for post-acne discoloration, scarring, and overall skin clarity , especially for clients who don’t want the downtime of more aggressive lasers. Unlike traditional lasers that rely on heat, PICO uses ultra-fast pulses of energy to: Break up excess pigmentation Stimulate collagen production Smooth skin texture Fade dark spots left behind by acne What makes PICO unique is that it’s safe for all skin tones , and it delivers results gradually with minimal redness or peeling. It’s an excellent option for clients looking for clear, even-toned skin without disrupting their daily routine. Tixel: Target Texture, Scars, and Stubborn Breakouts Tixel is a newer skin resurfacing treatment that uses thermo-mechanical energy to create tiny micro-channels in the skin—stimulating collagen, tightening pores, and improving tone and texture. Why we love it for acne-prone skin: Reduces oil production Improves acne scarring and uneven texture Helps with pore size and skin tightening Can be adjusted for gentle or deeper results Unlike more aggressive CO₂ lasers, Tixel gives you many of the same benefits with less downtime and lower risk for irritation , making it ideal for active acne or compromised skin barriers. We typically recommend a series of Tixel treatments combined with medical-grade skincare to extend and enhance your results. Which Device Is Right for You? Every face (and every breakout) is different. That’s why we always start with a comprehensive consultation to evaluate: Your acne type and severity Skin tone and sensitivity Scarring and pigmentation Your goals, timeline, and budget From there, we build a treatment plan that may combine in-office technology with at-home skincare and lifestyle coaching , so you’re supported at every stage of the process. If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck, these tools could be the missing piece in your acne journey. You Deserve More Than a Surface-Level Fix At About Face Aesthetics, we serve clients across Union, Chapin, and the greater Midlands & the Upstate who are ready to move beyond the guesswork. Whether your acne is hormonal, stress-related, or purely stubborn, we have the tools and the team to help you clear it—for good. Plus, our lead Esthetician, Kaylee, is "Face Reality" certified which is an entire skincare line dedicated to acne! Book your consultation and let’s talk about what’s actually going on with your skin—and how to treat it with care, expertise, and real solutions.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed standing in the skincare aisle wondering which cleanser or serum will finally fix your breakouts, you’re not alone. And here’s the truth: most acne routines fail because they’re built around products , not your skin . At About Face Aesthetics , we help our clients across Union and Chapin understand that successful acne care starts with one thing— a routine that’s custom to you . Not your favorite influencer. Not your best friend. You. Because acne isn’t just about what’s on the surface—it’s about what’s happening underneath. Why Cookie-Cutter Routines Don’t Work Skincare is personal. Your skin’s oil production, texture, sensitivity, and history all play a role in how it behaves—and what it needs. So, when someone uses a generic acne regimen from the drugstore or follows a TikTok routine designed for someone else’s skin type, it can do more harm than good. We’ve seen clients come in with: Breakouts caused by overly harsh exfoliants Red, inflamed skin from using too many actives at once Acne made worse by moisturizers that clog their pores Flare-ups triggered by well-meaning product layering that disrupts their skin barrier That’s why we NEVER guess. We assess. Not All Acne Is the Same—And Your Routine Should Reflect That Understanding your acne type is key to building a routine that actually works. For example: Hormonal acne (usually along the chin and jawline) may require calming ingredients, barrier support, and internal considerations Inflammatory or cystic acne often needs a slower, more strategic approach with treatments that minimize irritation Fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) looks like small breakouts but won’t respond to traditional acne treatments—and can worsen with oils or the wrong moisturizers Post-inflammatory acne (red or dark marks left behind) requires ingredients that brighten and heal while preventing new breakouts We don’t just ask what products you’re using—we ask what your skin is trying to tell you. What Happens in a Skincare Consultation? When you come in for an acne consult at About Face Aesthetics, we take time to look beyond the breakouts. You’ll meet with our Acne Expert & Lead Esthetician, Kaylee, who understands both the science and the emotion behind acne. She has struggled with her own issues of acne in the past. We’ll go over things such as: Your current product routine (what’s helping and what may be hurting) Lifestyle factors that could be affecting your skin Acne type, skin sensitivity, and oil production Any history of prescription or over-the-counter treatment use Your long-term skin goals Then we’ll design a simple and sustainable plan that includes: A core routine (cleanser, treatment, moisturizer, SPF) Targeted products to support your goals Timing for adding in exfoliants or actives A strategy to pair your skincare with in-office treatments (if needed) How In-Office Treatments Can Support Your Results The best skincare routines work with your treatments—not instead of them. Many of our acne clients see their best results when they combine their home regimen with targeted in-office support. Some of our most effective acne-focused treatments include: Radio Frequency Microneedling – helps minimize acne scarring, tighten pores, and smooth uneven texture IPL Laser – Kills acne causing bacteria which reduce break outs, shrink oil glands, reduces redness by helping active acne heal faster. Chemical peels – exfoliate away dead skin, unclog pores, and help fade dark spots (especially for acne-prone skin with pigmentation) Medical-grade skincare – powerful, non-irritating ingredients that correct and protect the skin barrier Custom Facials that are specific to your skin’s needs. You don’t need to do everything all at once. Kaylee will help you choose the most effective combination that fits your lifestyle and comfort level. Why Your Skincare Routine Should Evolve With Your Skin What worked for your skin six months ago might not work now. Stress, hormones, climate, and age all affect how your skin behaves. That’s why we build routines that are flexible, not rigid. We check in, reassess, and help you tweak your plan as your skin improves. We’re not here to sell you a shelf of products—you’ll leave with exactly what you need, and nothing you don’t. Why Clients Across Union and Chapin Trust Us Our clients keep coming back because they know we don’t just treat symptoms—we help you understand your skin. We take the guesswork out of acne care and replace it with clarity, strategy, and genuine support. We listen to your story and build a routine that’s actually sustainable We don’t push products—we prescribe only what works We explain the “why” behind every ingredient and recommendation We’re your partner in clearer skin—not your last resort Let’s Build Your Custom Routine You deserve a skincare routine that’s just as unique as you are. If you’re ready to stop trying everything and start doing what actually works, we’d love to help. Our lead Esthetician, Kaylee, is "Face Reality" certified which is an entire skincare line & Supplements dedicated to acne! Book your consultation and let’s create a plan that gives you clear direction—and clearer skin.