First, Vitamin C supplements and make sure it’s Ester-C, she said, because it stays in the body longer. You can make your own topical brightening and free-radical neutralizing Vitamin C spray but use L-ascorbic (smaller molecules, apparently, that the skin can absorb). For a make-your-own topical Vitamin C serum recipe, I like this one: mix 1 t distilled water or rose water with 1/4 t vitamin C powder (L-ascorbic acid) and store 3-5 days ONLY (make small batches) in a dark colored bottle in a dark, cool place.
At night, take your makeup off with jojoba oil mixed with a few drops of geranium essential oil (the geranium is good for breakouts). I already use the oil cleanse method (I have a longer post on it here) and, for me, I mix castor oil, jojoba oil, and a few drops of rose and lavender oil but I am going to try adding geranium to the next batch.
Last, but not least, if you feel a breakout coming on, soak a washcloth in very hot water and apply for 15 minutes (keep re-heating the washcloth if it cools) twice a day for 3 days or until the blemish is gone. If you succumb to the urge to pick at your skin and cause damage, put on some anti-bacterial ointment both at night and in the morning until it is healed.
Disclaimer: I haven’t tried any of this advice yet but the aesthetician had beautiful skin herself and seemed really knowledgeable and not at all “sales-y” so I swung by the health food store on the way home and grabbed some geranium oil and some Vitamin C and I’ll be trying her advice out!