acne: beat it, just beat it

Although I had typical teenage pimples like most people, my skin got BA-A-A-D at a weird age, like 19 to 20. My boyfriend claimed he didn't care that his girlfriend suddenly morphed into a less-tasty pizza but I didn't even want to leave the house.


Magazines, usually my go-to for all life matters, disheartened me as their 'Get Perfect Skin Fast!' articles seemed to cater for People Without Pimples. Screw dat!


It took a lot of perseverance, trial and error and some funky side effects along the way, but I've finally beat 'em! I thought I'd share my experiences seeing as the lack of information out there depressed me as much as the red army on my face.

skinspiration: Karlie Kloss at elle.com

PROACTIV

• Active ingredient: benzoyl peroxide
• Smells weird, like diapers
• Pimples disappear fast, but leave red marks
• Expensive + shipping/debit system= odd. Plenty of cheaper products with BP- read the labels!  
• Could be great, espec. with resilient skin

*Also see my rosehip oil rave if you need to fade pigmentation.

ST IVE'S APRICOT SCRUB

• Active ingredient: salicylic acid
• Inexpensive, easy to find
• Doesn't cause as many red marks
• Not for daily-use- if you feel like it works, use to supplement a skin routine featuring a salicylic acid-based cleaner and/or lotion

DIET AND EXERCISE

• Ha, yeah right. Ask someone else about that.

ROACCUTANE

• This is mega HK- my doctor daddy was appalled when dermatologist rec'd this
• If you've tried everything else and nothing worked it's worth a try
• Will clear you up, but the journey won't be pretty. I went off it because I couldn't hack it.
• Side effects: peeling skin, cracked sore lips, I got this weird toe thing (google paronychia if you dare- nasty!!) and some people have reported depression on it.

THE PILL

• Hard to predict what will work
• Was on generic Levlen- no change whatsoever
• Yasmin (apparently wonder drug for skin) broke me out worse than ever
• Finally went on Dianne-35 and the heavens parted... HALLELUJAH! No more pimples! 

skinspiration: Karmen Pedaru at elle.com

MY REMEDY

- Figure out whether your skin responds better to salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and buy according products 

- If neither works, choose gentle products (Think: Cetaphil, witch hazel, rose hip oil and tea tree oil)


- Make sure your makeup isn't breaking you out. Look for non-codomegic or dermatologist-tested products. Mineral makeup is good & I personally <3 Innoxa


- Cleanse. Tone. Moisturise. 2x daily. Exfoliate. 3x weekly. Targeted lotion on blemishes. 1x nightly

- Consistency is key! Don't give up before a few months

- Life is too short to be a pizza face- if you have been a slave to your skincare routine with no results, visit a doctor or dermatologist and ask for a prescription 

GOOD LUCK!

skinspiration: Natasha Poly at elle.com