Learning to Love My Skin — Breakouts, Pores & All

Happy Sunday, babes!

Let’s be honest — breakouts still happen, and they always seem to pick the worst timing (hello, date night or photoshoot day). I’ve been testing a few tricks that actually work to keep my skin in check, and today I’m spilling the tea.

4 daily habits that help me love my skin, breakouts or not!

👇 Scroll down for all the deets — your skin will thank you.

Cheers & martinis, Frances @GalOffDuty

 Today’s Newsletter Is Powered by 1440! If staying informed feels like a full-time job, 1440’s got you. They skim 100+ sources (so you don’t have to) and drop the day’s biggest stories — politics, biz, culture, science — in one quick, 5-minute read.

Facts, not drama. Smart takes, zero fluff. Free. Always.

Stay in the know without the doom scroll. 👉 Sign up for 1440 and start your mornings smarter.

BEAUTY + WELLNESS

I used to think my skin would magically “grow out” of acne once I hit my twenties. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. I dealt with breakouts all through my teens, and even now — in my thirties — I still get the occasional flare-up (always on the chin, of course ). And as if that wasn’t enough, now we’re adding fine lines into the mix.But here’s what I’ve learned: your skin isn’t something to fix — it’s something to care for. It tells your story, just like scars do. Some days it’s glowy and smooth, others it’s irritated and unpredictable. And that’s okay.

What’s helped me:

• Hydration, always. Inside and out. I drink a ton of water and keep my skin barrier happy with a good moisturizer (no matter how oily my skin feels). I also try to always carry a water bottle — a Stanley cup or any version you love — because it actually makes me drink more water. My favorite right now Owala FreeSip

• Consistency over perfection. Forget the 10-step routines. Stick to what your skin actually needs — for me, that’s cleansing, hydrating, SPF, and a gentle exfoliant a few times a week. And retinol — so important for texture, fine lines, and keeping things balanced.

• Don’t pick. Hardest one of all, but trust me, it makes a difference. What’s helped me is using pimple patches — they protect, heal, and stop me from touching my face when I’m tempted.

• Mind your stress. My flare-ups often come when I’m anxious, traveling, or not sleeping well. Skin listens to emotions too. I’ve started taking ashwagandha pills, and they’ve really helped me manage stress levels and keep things more balanced overall.

Cheers and martinis, Frances @GalOffDuty