Your Pregnancy-Safe Clear Skin Journey with Face Reality Begins Here
Why Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Matters
Pregnancy-safe skincare is essential because some powerful acne and anti-aging ingredients—such as salicylic acid and retinol—are not recommended while pregnant or nursing. Although highly effective under normal circumstances, these ingredients may carry risks during this sensitive stage. This protocol also does not include benzoyl peroxide, since if a nursing mom touches her baby’s skin after applying BPO—or cuddles her baby close—there’s a risk of exposing the baby to BPO, which can be very drying and irritating to delicate skin. By following a pregnancy-safe skincare routine, you can continue caring for your skin confidently, without compromising your health or your baby’s well-being. With safe product choices and expert guidance, you can enjoy clear, healthy, radiant skin throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Clear Skin starts with knowledge. That's why we encourage you to take the time to read—and revisit—our Acne Lessons. These expert tips are essential for understanding your skin, avoiding common pitfalls, and achieving lasting, clear skin. The more you know, the better your results!
Why your Face Reality Routine Will Evolve
Clear skin doesn’t happen overnight, and your skincare routine shouldn’t stay the same throughout the journey. The AOS Face Reality Method is designed to evolve with your skin. That’s why we recommend adjusting your routine every two weeks until your skin is clear.
As your skin acclimates, we’ll gently increase the strength or frequency of your corrective treatments to keep progress moving forward. Sometimes that means adding extra moisture; more often, it means fine-tuning how you use your active products.
This two-week cadence helps us stay one step ahead of your skin’s needs—preventing irritation, avoiding plateaus, and ensuring steady improvement. Think of it as a clear skin strategy that adapts with you, every step of the way.
What to Expect on Your Face Reality Journey
While some Face Reality clients experience early improvements within a few weeks of starting their acne protocol, achieving consistently clear skin is a gradual process that typically takes around three to four months. It's completely normal to experience breakouts—sometimes even a temporary worsening—during the purging phase as your skin begins to detoxify, rebalance, and heal.
Progress tends to happen in cycles, with the skin acclimating every two to three weeks. Our goal is to see breakouts noticeably slow by the 90-day mark.
If you're unsure about your progress or need personalized support, don't hesitate to reach out to your Acne Specialist or connect with us via Live Chat. For clients who require additional guidance, our Online Acne Consult is an excellent option. Our licensed estheticians have helped hundreds of clients achieve clear skin, and we're proud to have over 100 five-star reviews to show for it.
IMPORTANT TIPS
- Do not eat anything that contains biotin or iodine. Use non-iodized Salt.
- Do not use dryer sheets or fabric softeners of any kind.
- Do not eat peanuts, peanut butter, or soy products.
- Minimize dairy intake.
- Do not use anything on your skin that contains acne-causing ingredients. The products on AOS that are best for you have a gray acne-safe badge on the image. Here is our list of ingredients to avoid: Pore-Clogging Ingredients List
- Please check your hair care products for acne-causing ingredients.
Your 2-Week Quick Start Routine
FACE REALITY MORNING ROUTINE (Combo & Oily Skin)
Use the products in the exact order given.
Cleanse:
Cleanse using the AOS Dry Cleanse Method: Dispense one pump of cleanser onto dry hands. Rub hands together to create a foam. Gently rub onto dry skin—wet hands and massage to emulsify. Continue massaging for two minutes. Remove with a warm AOS Luxe Cloth.
Read here for tips on how to properly cleanse your face. Well-cleansed skin can drink vital nutrients, boosting the efficacy of every product you apply to your face.
Tone:
Face Reality Soothing Radiance Toner
Apply using toner pads. These pads will help your toner last longer and will provide additional exfoliation.
Protect:
This step is required. Your acne care products cause increased sun sensitivity.
Acne Safe Makeup:
Illuminare Mattifying Mineral Foundation
Beginners like to mix this with a little sunscreen
FACE REALITY EVENING ROUTINE (Combo & Oily Skin)
First, remove makeup with AOS Luxe Eco Cloth.
Cleanse:
Following the cleanse, apply ice to the inflamed breakouts for two minutes. Ice reduces inflammation and enhances the penetration of Acne Med.
Corrective Serum:
Face Reality Mandelic Serum 8%
Apply one pump to dry skin. Allow the skin to fully dry after application.
Moisturize:
Wait 15 minutes after applying Mandelic Serum and apply HydraBalance or Clearderma Moisturizer.
Face Reality Weekly Treatment
Pro Tip:
IS DRYNESS AND BURNING NORMAL?
Mild dryness is common as your skin adjusts and begins to clear, but prolonged burning or stinging is never normal.
If a product burns or stings for more than two minutes, rinse it off right away and reach out to our support team.
If you're experiencing excessive dryness, cracking, or peeling, don’t worry—we have plenty of solutions to keep you on track without compromising your progress.
The key is to contact us as soon as you notice an issue, so we can guide you through the necessary adjustments to maintain your momentum.
Next Steps: Your Clear Skin Journey
Bi-Weekly Check-Ins and Why They Matter
The Face Reality Clear Skin System works best with consistent guidance. That’s why we recommend checking in every two weeks until your skin is mostly clear. These check-ins allow us to:
Ensure you’re using the right products for your skin type
Adjust your routine carefully as your skin strengthens
Personalize your treatment since every skin journey is unique
This process is highly personal and looks a little different for each client—but that’s exactly what makes it so effective.
After you’ve been on your routine for two weeks, please complete our Skincare Check-In Form.
Author
Jeana LeClerc
Jeana LeClerc is a licensed esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist, and the founder and CEO of Art of Skincare . With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the skincare industry, Jeana specializes in regenerative skincare —a powerful, holistic alternative to conventional anti-aging treatments.
Rejecting the pressure of injectables and invasive procedures, Jeana champions science-backed, skin-nourishing solutions that support healthy, youthful skin from the inside out. Her mission is to help clients achieve lasting skin transformation through personalized routines, professional-grade products, and a deep understanding of how the skin functions and regenerates.
At Art of Skincare, Jeana leads a team of expert estheticians dedicated to delivering results-driven skincare, from clearing acne to supporting healthy aging . Her blog and online consultations are trusted resources for those seeking radiant, resilient skin without compromise.
