Hi everyone. I’m 20 and have struggled with acne since I was around 13.
It started with blackheads and whiteheads, but around 14–15 it became severe cystic acne. I would get very large and painful breakouts, and it affected my confidence and mental health so much that I even stopped going to school.
Over the years, I’ve tried many different creams, antibiotics and other treatments. I also tried a strong prescription treatment, but unfortunately had to stop because my blood tests showed that my body wasn’t tolerating it well.
When I was 18, I started taking birth control. It didn’t clear my acne, but it made it significantly less severe. I still had acne, but the large painful cysts stopped.
About 6 months ago, I stopped taking it because I didn’t want to rely on it forever. Within two weeks, my acne became noticeably worse, so I eventually started taking it again.
DAILY SKINCARE TIPS
- What I’ve learned is that for acne-prone skin it’s more important to use the right basics than to use a lot of products. I know a lot of people are struggling with the same issue
- Drink water. A lot of water. At least half your body weight (pounds to oz) per day. Water. Not juice. Not coffee. Not milk. Not soda. Water. Drink water.
- Don’t touch your face. Just don’t. Your hands introduce all sorts of dirt and germs to your face.
- Wash your face with soap and water twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. Use the same product every day. Changing products can cause issues. 3.5. Use your towel to lightly exfoliate once a week as you dry your face off. Otherwise, lightly pat until your face is mostly dry.
- Wash with Soap and Water, make sure your pillow case is clean (start washing it more than usual) That will help prevent breakouts.
- Moisturize your face after you wash it. Find a moisturizer that works for you, without clogging your pores (it may take some time to find the right one). That should keep your skin from overproducing oil.
AVOID THESE THINGS
DON’T PICK OR POP. You’ll make everything worse. Yes it scars your face, but more importantly, it draws attention to the zit no one else noticed.
MASK will probably make things a little worse for a while. Luckily, no one can see that because your mask is on!
IF YOU HAVE A BREAKOUTS, Apply some tiger balm before bed. It will sting for a minute, and make your eyes water so make sure you are ready for bed before applying it. If you need something during the day, hemorrhoid cream reduces inflammation
HYPERPIGMENTATION Depends on your skin and what type of spot you’re attempting to treat. Unfortunately I suffer from hyperpigmentation and I’m a picker. I also have naturally oily/combination skin depending on the season. If this is you, Retin-A (tretinoin) is a form of vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself! I apply it before pimples get inflamed, after I pick (sometimes I am good and don’t pick – – but that’s rare), and after. Only one a day though, and right before bed. I get noticeable results immediately.
TOO MANY PRODUCT When your skin is breaking out layering too many products can actually make things worse. Even the rubbing itself can irritate. Right now I only do the toner pack plus one cream. I use Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Cream. It’s basic famous and for good reason.
ROSACEA. As I struggled with rosacea throughout treatment, I waited a few months for the redness to fade before putting together a new routine. I’m a student, so I looked for products on the cheaper side and they are quite thrifty! But they’ve really helped to brighten and enliven my skin over the last 6 months.
FACEWASH ROUTINE
AM:
- Superdrug B. Instant Foaming Cleanser
- Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser
PM:
- Superdrug B. Instant Foaming Cleanser
- Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser
- Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub (2x a week)
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (2x a week)
PERSONAL ADVISE
Ok so I had acne as a teen and eventually developed severe cystic acne around 17/18. I got on birth control around 16 to help, but I honestly would advise against that because it didn’t help much. Accutane did clear everything, but it eventually came back after 2-3 years. Accutane is very hard on the body and I would only recommend it as a last option for SEVERE cases (which you are not). Here are my recommendations based on what worked to clear my skin at 24:
You have to change your diet and eat clean. Acne has a lot of causes, but it’s made worse by an inflammatory diet. The internet is your bestie, look into anti-inflamatory and acne-safe meals, foods, recipes, etc. Hot Cheetos, instant ramen, Taco Bell, excess sugar, etc will absolutely break you out if you’re acne prone. It sucks, but it is what it is.
Eat pumpkin seeds (1-2 tablespoons) and a few walnuts (5 halves) everyday (Zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin e, magnesium). I usually also have about a tablespoon of ground flax seeds daily in water/smoothies/oatmeal (fiber, antioxidants, balance estrogen levels, helps with skin hydration).
Tell your parents to only use avocado or olive oil in your meals and limit seed oils in stuff you buy. An overload of seed oils can be inflammatory.
See a dermatologist.
See a dermatologist. They may be able to prescribe specific medications that can help rapidly. Clindamycin and .025% tretinoin worked wonders for me, but I think you’re too young for retinols and they might recommend something else for your type of acne.
SKINCARE ROUTINE
Morning: rinse face with water only, use gentle moisturizer, SPF
Night: Wash face with gentle cleanser (not in the shower), same gentle moisturizer + whatever prescription is given/recommended to you by a dermatologist. Do not overcomplicate the routine.
I use the purpose gentle cleanser, Face Reality clearDerma moisturizer, and Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free SPF 50.Obviously also keep everything clean. Use noncomedogenic makeup if you use it, wash your brushes, pillow cases, towels weekly. I use the dove beauty bar as a balm to remove makeup, then gently cleanse with micellar water,
STAY POSITIVE
The cause of acne varies so much, it’s a trial and error issue for many people. Some folks say a diet change made the whole difference (cutting dairy or sugar has been reported) but for tijera diet changed did nothing. Certainly getting enough nutrients matters. Stress matters for many folks, but getting rid of stress doesn’t do it for everyone. A dermatologist visit could help, they have lots of options but all the preliminary meds they put me on for mine as a teen which were all antibiotics didn’t work. I gave up and tried accutane which is rough on the liver but really worked. I also got better sleep and started eating better and the very bad acne never came back. Sometimes a product or one ingredient is a trigger for some folks, so experiment with paring back then adding things back in. Retinol works for some people.