As promised on IG, here it is! Let’s talk about the Dr. Zenovia skin care products I’ve been loving.

First, facts: Did you know that facial skin has more estrogen receptors than anywhere else on the body? That means there’s a huge potential for certain ingredients to truly impact our skin.

It’s also the fact that drove board-certified dermatologist Dr. Zenovia to pioneer the field of hormonal dermatology, where she addresses the impact hormones can have on skin throughout a woman’s life.

Dr. Zenovia Skin Care Favorites for Acne and Fine Lines

As someone who’s gone through crazy hormonal fluctuations over the past 9 years after having and nursing three children, hearing about a line that addressed hormones and skin care was incredibly interesting to me.

That’s why I had to try this line from Dr. Zenovia, a board-certified dermatologist who I just interviewed for my latest episode of We Gotta Talk.

You know if someone comes on the show or podcast, I always like to vet what they’re making and selling, and won’t recommend it unless it was a total win for my skin. That being said, I was really impressed with the power behind the products in Dr. Zenovia’s eponymous skin care line, and wanted to share the top performers for me.

Best Dr. Zenovia Product for Acne

Let’s start with one of the most common skin issues lately—acne.

I typically don’t have acne, but masks have done a number on my jawline and I’m breaking out more often than I have in years, so I wanted to look for a product that gently addressed those pimples—probably about 3-5 every month.

Her entire Clear Complexion Kit is awesome, but these products aren’t for the faint of heart! They’re powerful. I chose this benzoyl peroxide face wash because for me, it’s the perfect amount of that powerful acne-fighting ingredient without being too much.

Use it in the morning as your only cleanser, or at night as your second cleanse in a double cleanse. Make sure you massage onto your skin for at least 30 seconds to let the benzoyl peroxide do its thing, then rinse well before applying a gentle, basic moisturizer.

I would say that if you have mild acne, using this 3 times a week should be enough to keep it clear. If it’s more serious, maybe ask your dermatologist or facialist about how frequently you can use this. One thing to keep in mind with products that contain benzoyl peroxide: It’s powerful and can dry your skin, so use sparingly! And do not use this on your eyes, or the delicate skin surrounding them.

The Best Dr. Zenovia Skin Care Product for Visible Pores

Ugh—the giant cheek pores. They will be the death of me.

Some people struggle with an oily or congested T-zone; my problem seems to be the opposite—the cheeks. Specifically, the clogged cheek pores.

I genetically have bigger pores on this area of my face, so I’m forever trying to find products that keep those pores clear, so they appear smaller. That’s where this Dr. Zenovia product comes in. These 10% Glycolic Acne Control Peel Pads have been genius at keeping that trouble zone clear for me.

I double cleanse at night, then use these on my trouble zones first (the cheeks), then glide what’s left over my forehead, nose and chin. I let them do their thing for about a minute, then use water to neutralize the acid. I’ve found that if I don’t rinse, the acid works a little too well on my skin and causes irritation. If you have more persistent acne, you might not want to rinse/neutralize them, but mess around with it and see what works best for you.

Follow up with a great basic moisturizer—nothing with more acid!—to seal in moisture.

The Best Dr. Zenovia Skin Care Product for Wrinkles and Anti-Aging

On the brink of 40, using a good anti-aging product has been a top priority for me these days.

When I interviewed Dr. Zenovia and asked what she would say is a non-negotiable product for anyone, in any decade, she mentioned retinol, and it just so happens that the retinol her line makes is amazing at not only addressing fine lines and wrinkles, but also has a proprietary ingredient, reg-ulate 360, that also addresses hormone fluctuation in skin.

I’ve been using the Advanced Retinol Night Repair Treatment—taking off the weeks only when I’m doing my RF microneedling—for over a month now, and I’ve been so happy with the results. It has a silky feeling and glides over the skin, and I use it as the step in my nighttime routine that comes after toning or essence. Just make sure your skin is DRY when you use a retinol; when there’s residual moisture in your skin, it makes the retinol more intense and can seriously irritate your skin.

If you want to start with a good retinol product to see how your skin reacts, this is it! Try it out for a couple months and see how your skin feels; I promise this is one of those products that you’ll actually see results from after regular short-term use.

Important: Make sure you’re using a great SPF during the daytime when using a retinol! And be sure to gently, but thoroughly, wash your face when you wake up, to remove any last traces of it before heading into the sun.