Naked Beauty Podcast: Stopping Breakouts, Pregnancy Skincare & ‘Poreless’ Makeup

Host: Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli
Release Date: April 21, 2025
Episode Title: Stopping Breakouts, Pregnancy Skincare & ‘Poreless’ Makeup

In this insightful episode of the Naked Beauty Podcast, host Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli, alongside her custom AI assistant Vivian Vogue, delves into three pressing beauty concerns: managing and preventing breakouts, skincare routines during pregnancy, and achieving a flawless, poreless makeup look. Drawing from personal experiences and a wealth of product knowledge, Brooke provides listeners with practical advice and recommended products to enhance their beauty routines.

1. Stopping Breakouts

Listener Question:
Kawahia from Portugal asks about preventing and caring for breakouts, specifically inquiring whether mixing hydrocortisone with moisturizer is common or potentially harmful. ([03:03])

Brooke's Insights:

• Skin Awareness: Recognizes Kawahia's ability to anticipate breakouts as a commendable skill that enhances skin care efficacy.

  “Being able to sense when your skin is about to break out... means that you're paying attention to your skin.” — Brooke DeVard, [03:15]

• Simplifying Skincare Routine: Recommends stripping the routine down to essentials—avoiding active ingredients and exfoliants.

  • Cleanser Recommendations:
    • La Roche-Posay Pigment Clear Cleanser: Ideal for reducing dark spots and available internationally.
    • Aveeno Gentle Foaming Face Wash: A gentle option (availability may vary by region).
    • Dr. Barbara Sturm Foam Cleanser: A luxury, non-irritating foam cleanser for minimalistic skincare enthusiasts.

• Avoiding Makeup: Advises ceasing makeup application at the onset of a breakout to allow the skin to breathe.

  • Alternative Solutions: Endorses pimple patches like Starface for a playful approach or Cosrx and RAEL for more discreet options.

• Hydration Strategies: Suggests using single oils such as Argan or Jojoba oil for hydration without irritation, available from suppliers like Mountain Rose Herbs.

  “I avoid layering multiple products at night... I use Argan oil or Jojoba oil because those work really well for my skin.” — Brooke DeVard, [04:05]

• Moisturizer Recommendations:

  • CeraVe PM: A drugstore favorite for non-irritating nighttime moisture.
  • Instant Angel from Dew Skin: Another reliable option.
  • Paula’s Choice Calm Line: Products formulated to reduce irritation.
  • Bonjour Sandalwood Soothing Lotion: An elevated calamine lotion for treating rashes and inflammation post-treatment.

    “This is their sandalwood soothing lotion from Pratima... a little bit goes a long way.” — Brooke DeVard, [05:40]

• Caution Against Hydrocortisone: Advises limited use under dermatologist supervision due to potential skin thinning from prolonged use. Recommends alternatives like Niacinamide or Zinc-infused moisturizers for inflammation control.

  “Hydrocortisone... is not really designed for consistent everyday use.” — Brooke DeVard, [05:20]

2. Pregnancy Skincare

Listener Question:
Ibilola from Lagos, Nigeria, now in Sacramento, California, seeks advice on maintaining a skincare routine during her four-month pregnancy, emphasizing the discontinuation of retinol. ([07:00])

Brooke's Insights:

• Congratulations and Empathy: Extends heartfelt congratulations and relates to the physical and emotional changes during pregnancy.

  “Pregnancy is really a time of transition, but it can also be a really great time to deepen your self-care in new and meaningful ways.” — Brooke DeVard, [08:30]

• Skincare Adjustments:

  • Discontinuing Harmful Ingredients: Advises against using retinol, high concentrations of salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and certain essential oils during pregnancy.
  • Emphasizing Nourishment: Encourages the use of products that provide hydration and comfort.
    • Face Masks:
      • Hana Hana Beauty Clay Detoxifying Face Mask: A customizable mask experience when applied with a brush enhances the pampering ritual.
      • Clarins Cryoflash Cream Mask: Ideal for cooling and firming, especially beneficial during summer pregnancy months.
      • Beauty Stat’s Microbiome Purifying Radiance Mask: Combines natural clay, charcoal, and white honey to address large pores and texture.

      “The ritual of mixing the powder with the water and painting it on my face felt just decadent in the best way.” — Brooke DeVard, [09:45]

• Natural Skincare Emphasis:

  • Serums:
    • Retrouve Serums and Sable Labs’ Okra Serum: Promote skin tightening and overall health.
  • Cream Cleansers:
    • Vintner’s Daughter: A preferred cream cleanser throughout pregnancy.
  • Hydration and Stretch Mark Prevention:
    • Shea Butter: Utilized generously to maintain skin hydration and prevent stretch marks, from brands like Hana Hana Beauty.

      “Rubbing shea butter all over my belly... keeping your skin hydrated really helps to prevent stretch marks.” — Brooke DeVard, [11:00]

• Self-Care Rituals: Highlights the importance of nurturing oneself through tactile and sensory skincare practices to manage the changes pregnancy brings.

  “Pouring into yourself... lean into those little rituals.” — Brooke DeVard, [12:15]

3. ‘Poreless’ Makeup

Listener Question:
Anastasia from Australia with oily to combination skin in her early 50s struggles with pore congestion, particularly around the nose, and seeks advice on makeup products and techniques to minimize the appearance of pores without drying out her skin. ([13:30])

Brooke's Insights:

• Normalization of Pores: Reassures that pores are a natural aspect of skin and that perceptions are skewed by heavily filtered images online.

  “Filters have really ruined our perception of what real skin looks like. Your skin is doing what it does and you're doing great.” — Brooke DeVard, [14:45]

• Foundation Recommendations: Advocates for sheer liquid foundations over matte finishes to maintain hydration without the cakey appearance.

  • Characteristics to Look For: Lightweight, buildable coverage labeled as hydrating, radiant, or skin tint.

    “Sheer liquid foundations are definitely more forgiving than matte finishes... something lightweight and buildable.” — Brooke DeVard, [15:10]

• Primer Importance: Stresses the role of primers in creating a smooth base by blurring pores and controlling oil.

  • Product Recommendation: Danessa Myrix Blurring Balm (Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder) for its blurring effect and oil control properties.

    “A good primer... fills in texture slightly and keeps things in place longer.” — Brooke DeVard, [16:25]

• Makeup Techniques:

  • Application Tools: Advocates using a damp beauty sponge to press foundation into the skin, ensuring it melds seamlessly rather than sitting on top.
  • Skin Preparation: Recommends gentle exfoliation with BHA like salicylic acid a few times a week and consistent moisturizing to achieve smoother makeup application.

    “Using a damp beauty sponge to press the product into your skin will help it meld rather than sit on top of your skin and accentuate texture.” — Brooke DeVard, [17:50]

• Additional Tips:

  • Targeted Moisturizing: Apply primers specifically to areas with visible pores rather than the entire face.
  • Avoiding Overload: Emphasizes the importance of not over-layering products to prevent emphasizing skin texture.

Conclusion:
In this episode, Brooke DeVard and Vivian Vogue provide comprehensive solutions tailored to individual skin concerns, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's skin, simplifying routines during challenging times like pregnancy, and adopting the right products and techniques to achieve desired makeup outcomes. Their expert advice empowers listeners to navigate their beauty journeys with confidence and informed choices.

Join the Conversation:
For more personalized advice and to engage with the Naked Beauty community, listeners are encouraged to submit their questions via email at nakedbeautypodcast@mail.com with the subject line "Ask Brooke" or interact with Vivian Vogue on Instagram through Brooke’s profile.

Note: All product recommendations mentioned in this summary are available in the show notes under "My Shelf" for easy access and purchase.