My Acne Treatment Update
It’s been one week and four days since I started my new routine and wanted to give you an update on my acne journey. I wasn’t expecting to give an update this early but I could cry looking at the dramatic difference from 11 days ago! I can’t believe it. I’m sharing the details of my current acne treatment routine, along with what I believe is the biggest factor that has been helping my skin.
Read about My Struggles with Acne here
Before and After
The improvement from May 19th to today, May 30th, is unreal!
It’s not easy sharing the before photo. But I want to provide empathy and encouragement for those experiencing awful hormonal acne. You are not alone. Social media has a way in making us feel like everyone has flawless skin through filters, lighting and layers of makeup. We are constantly bombarded by skincare ads of models with airbrushed-looking skin. But that is far from reality. This is my bare skin with all its textures, uneven tones and bumps.
No one has perfect skin. But for some of us, we’ve had to deal with more chronic skin issues. Cystic acne is painful and can cripple our self-esteem if we let it. I’m mostly a very happy and positive person but can’t deny that I had some hard days looking in the mirror.
When my hormonal acne flared up four weeks ago, I thought the journey to clear my skin would be long, like they have been in the past. If one pimple heals, another pops up and the cycle continues. Typically, it takes me three months to see results. I’m blown away that it’s just under two weeks and the difference is unreal! My skin is still healing but my biggest relief is not feeling pain from those deep cystic acne.
My Current Acne Treatment Routine
If you read my last blog post, you know that I’ve tried everything, even Accutane. I’m so happy to finally have found something that is helping without prescriptions. Here’s what my routine looks like:
Morning:
- Proactive 3-Step System: (cleanser, toner and repairing treatment lotion) be consistent. wash using very gentle motion to not irritate active breakouts.
- Verse Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream: the 3-step system will dry out your skin so it’s imperative to moisturize and I’ve found gel creams to be the best for my skin.
- Curology SPF Sunscreen: a bit sticky and I may switch to something later but this is what I’m currently using.
- It Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation with SPF 40: covers the dark and red spots nicely. Read more here on why I picked this foundation.
Night:
- Proactive 3-Step System: (cleanser, toner and repairing treatment lotion) double cleanse and use gentle motion to not irritate active breakouts.
- Verse Dew Point Eye Cream: moisturizes around my eyes.
- CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Night Cream: feels weightless and helps my skin from drying out.
- Acne Patches: Hero Mighty Patch when I notice a whitehead but only if it’s isolated – meaning there’s no cystic acne or other pimples near. Zitsticka Killa patch for isolated cystic acne – they help reduce the inflammation and heal quicker. I’ve gone through a lot of these patches!
- Clearstem Hormonal Acne Supplement: take at dinner time
I truly believe that using Clearstem’s Hormonal Acne Supplement is the biggest factor. This is my first time taking supplement for my acne but knew that I needed to clear my skin from the inside out. I’m not associated with this brand but you can read about what convinced me to try it in this post. I was skeptical after first because I’ve suffered from acne most of my life and nothing has worked well without prescriptions. Now I’m a believer. My skin has never healed this quickly after a flare up by solely using OTC skincare and I’m convinced it’s because of this supplement. I would encourage anyone to give it a try if you’re experiencing hormonal acne and feel defeated like I did.
P.S. I used my friend, Megan’s code for a discount. She introduced me to Clearstem. Code is MEGANS for 20% off until Friday and 15% off after that. I stocked up today!
Other Things That I’m Doing to Manage My Acne
In addition, I ditched coffee and have been drinking Honey Chai Turmeric Vitality tea. I add a little bit of oat milk and non-dairy vanilla creamer and it tastes amazing! I’m also consuming more of my favorite foods with probiotic like Kombucha and Kimchi because they support your immune system, strengthen your bones and joints, destroy bad bacteria, and make your skin healthier. They have truly helped my digestive system.
I am so amazed and incredibly thankful by how quickly my skin has improved and hope it continues. If you’re suffering from this right now, I know how it feels. How you want to hide away but I want to encourage you to please keep on showing up. Live your life, meet friends for lunch, schedule a date night, go for walks, etc. I promise, it will help keep your mind in a more positive state and therefore, helping your acne as well.
I am so grateful that this new treatment routine without any prescriptions is working and never want my skin to return to what it was before. Thank you so much for your kind words this week after I shared my last blog post. I’m excited for my niece’s wedding this Sunday. It’s been awhile since I’ve attended a wedding and have not gone wedding guest dress shopping, yet! Wish me luck finding one!
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You may also be curious to read:
MY ACNE JOURNEY TO CLEARER SKIN
MOST RECOMMENDED BEST CONCEALER AND FOUNDATION FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
