From about 2016 until early 2017, I had a terrible breakout (worse than my teenage years’ acne outbreak). I was astonished and unfortunate to have it in my 20s because I had pretty excellent skin for around two years before that, but I eventually managed to get rid of it. I won’t claim that my skin is flawless right now, but it’s far from being glass skin. still have a few obvious imperfections, and before my period, always a new one appears. However, going out without BB cream and not caring feels fantastic. Don’t know why it never occurred to me until last month, but I haven’t discussed how to treat acne on my site.
I was still shopping for last-minute presents with my younger brother in a mall open until midnight, even though it was nearing Christmas Eve. I grabbed my phone to find a comment on my Instagram while we contemplated where to have some snacks. To my shock, it was hatred… No! That’s a strong word, so as an inside joke on CHRISTMAS EVEN, I say it’s a passive-aggressive comment in my ‘Hungover Face’ selfie that I snapped with my former high school pals after a wild night of fun. She said, “You’re using too many cosmetics on your face, yet you still look like that,” in Tagalog, my mother tongue.
I’m not sure if she’s making a remark about the few flaws on my face or if she’s making fun of my entire visage at this point. Deal with the troll if it’s my face! I’m at least self-assured enough to take a selfie without cosmetics or filters. However, if you’re talking about my blemishes, let me inform you and Kendall Jenner’s acne haters at the Golden Globes on how to treat acne.
HOW DO I CONTROL ACNE?
It’s not that simple: spoilers. There shouldn’t have been any victims if it was. Just ask the five strong and beautiful women featured in Man Repeller. Most individuals believe that using Benzoyl Peroxide and double scrubbing is insufficient. Most urgently required medical care, which brings me to…
Obtain Dermatological Advice
Before anything else, I advise quitting whatever you’re using and seeing a dermatologist as soon as possible if your skin isn’t improving despite whatever you use. An allergy rather than hormonal changes, stress, nutrition, or lack of sleep may be blamed. So before treating yourself to new items, observe their prescription and skincare routine guidelines. My dermatologist recommended a new routine at my initial visit to Flawless Clinic, and I also received two anti-acne injections for my two cystic pimples. Even though they left a dark patch that was not particularly deep and that I could easily remove with appropriate exfoliation, they vanished within 24 hours. (ED NOTE: If you visit a beauty clinic, verify if the doctor has an MD at the end of their name and an actual license number; otherwise, you might have been seeing a beautician for your skin issues.)
1. Double Cleansing
To remove debris and makeup from my face without drying it out or removing its natural oil, I also use a cleaning oil or a cleansing balm, depending on what is available. I first use an oil-based cleanser to remove the heavy layer of sunblock and most makeup because they are difficult to remove with only one wash. These products might clog your pores and cause a zit if not thoroughly wiped off your skin.
I then move on to the second cleaning. I use a facial wash as my second cleanser to completely clean my skin, such as Cetaphil, Hada Labo, or something that will fit my oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. However, since I work from home as a freelancer and spend the day at home, I wouldn’t double cleanse unless I had used sunscreen.
If you have acne-prone skin, your second cleanser should ideally contain salicylic acid, which will pore-cleanse. However, I chose a mild second cleanser since…
2. I use BHA and hyaluronic acid-containing hydrating toners.
The oil-soluble BHA (beta hydroxy/salicylic acid) is most frequently chosen for oily skin prone to bumps, blockages, blemishes, and enlarged pores. It works on the skin’s surface and inside the pore. BHA is mild enough for delicate skin prone to rosacea and redness because it also has natural skin-calming effects. I use the Natural Pacific Real Calendula Energy Toner in the morning, which is more moisturizing and calming. At night, I use Benton Aloe BHA Toner. Thanks to Calendula Flowers, that product assisted in clearing up my acne. I follow up with a coat of Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion to complete it.
The body naturally produces hyaluronic acid, a lubricating, transparent material. But when used as a toner, it aids collagen retention, boosts hydration, and offers suppleness and flexibility. It aids in moisturizing and hydrating.
3. Exfoliate
I don’t mean using a face wash for acne with physical scrubs like St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub, which made my acne worse by exfoliating! Chemical exfoliators are what I’m referring to. My dermatologist gave me an “Easy Peel,” a chemical peel treatment, during my visit and after my anti-acne injections. I’ll confess that the procedure hurts since it causes your skin to practically peel off while drying up acne and shrinking pores. However, the painful period only lasts for the first few minutes. The coming days will feel extremely dry and itching.
I walked around with my skin coming off my face because the process takes two weeks or longer. I received a lot of strange glances, and some people appeared to be terrified of me. Along with sunblock, I used a face mask to conceal my face because my skin was equally sensitive to the sun, like a Korean idol running from the paparazzi. Last, never pull out your scabbing and drop skin against its will for a smoother outcome. It simply implies that your new skin isn’t yet ready if they aren’t available yet.
Although this procedure is somewhat expensive, it is still worthwhile. It significantly quickens the healing process, lowers my acne, evens out the texture and tone of my skin, and eliminates specific minor acne and dark spots. Although, if your breakout is severe, don’t expect 100% success. My estimate of its success is 85%.
If you genuinely can’t undergo the chemical therapy because of the downtime, you can use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution twice weekly. But you’ll need much more time; some took two months, while others required longer. Depending on the state of your skin. After my chemical peeling treatment had healed, I used it twice a month as maintenance. However, instead of The Ordinary, I occasionally use the CosRx Whitehead AHA 7 Power Liquid once or twice a month to treat closed comedones.
4. I Use Niacinamide-Containing Products
Niacinamide, Vitamin B3, is a skin-restoring substance with many advantages. The ability to noticeably reduce the appearance of larger pores, uneven skin tone, fine wrinkles, dullness, and weakened skin surface is one of these advantages. Niacinamide is stable in the presence of heat and light and can help reduce the harm that environmental assault can do. This vitamin performs best when combined with zinc to stop further breakouts, reduce pore size, calm blemishes, relieve redness, and control sebum production. Those with oily or acne-prone skin adore products like The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Glossier Super Pure.
I am, regrettably, allergic to zinc, which is a rare allergy. Therefore, I use It’s Skin Power 10 Formula VB Effector and Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask, which includes niacinamide but no zinc, instead of the abovementioned products.
As an alternative, I also use tea tree oil, such as the acne-prevention aid Leejiham Tea Tree 90 Essence.
5. Moisten and hydrate
Chemical peeling will dry your skin and may damage your moisture barrier, whether done professionally or at home using skincare products. If it occurs, your face can break out once more rather than mend. Therefore, use a genuine hydrating moisturizer twice daily after cleansing and exfoliating. A moisturizing toner is not sufficient. Furthermore, this will aid in preserving the serum or essence you utilized. As previously noted, I apply the Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion in the morning and the more potent Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb at night.
In addition, you can apply a sheet mask like Innisfree Real Squeeze or a sleeping mask like Laneige Water Sleeping Mask once or twice weekly.
Drinking lots of water also helps, and it’s simple and affordable!
6. Daily Sunscreen Use
It would help if you had sunscreen to shield the black areas left from the treatments from the sun’s UV rays and protect your exfoliated, fragile skin from the sun. Additionally, sunscreen will aid in limiting further sun damage to your skin, whether or not you receive a chemical exfoliation. I use Biore UV Perfect Face Milk, which is lightweight and matte in finish.
AT THE END
Although we all have various skin types, I used the suggestions above to clear up my acne. Some things that I found to be effective may not be for everyone. YMMV! I know that some acne sufferers require more than chemical peels and anti-acne injections; some additionally require vitamin supplements or antibiotics, while others require dietary or lifestyle adjustments. But my main piece of advice is to take a break, regroup, and see a dermatologist. Also, please look at this list of 50 Reddit users who treated their acne successfully.
Skin perfection is a myth! Additionally, making fun of or offering unsolicited advice to someone with acne is never acceptable. I can assure you that they have already begun addressing their acne, done their homework, and consulted the appropriate parties. They don’t require your viewpoint. The person who suffers from acne may also experience psychological effects.
And to individuals with acne, be patient and don’t let other people’s judgments get you down. It will take a long time. In most circumstances, you won’t be able to get rid of it completely, so learn to accept it as well. I still experience breakouts and acne, especially right before my period. A defect is not acne. Amelia Diamond from Man Repeller also asserts that it is neither a death sentence nor a testament to a person’s character. It isn’t ugly or awful. It simply is. Even supermodels like Kendall Jenner and Korean Idols understand it.
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