MY ACNE STORY

Growing up, my skin was always radiant and clear. But somewhere around the time that I hit puberty, all of that just...changed.

When I was younger, I loved the way that I looked. There were no blemishes, no inflammation, no bumps, etc., just smooth, clear skin. But when I entered middle school at age twelve, I started to notice changes in my body, as most people do. It started with the beginning of my period. It was bad enough that it started at sixth grade camp, but with it came changes in my hormones, causing me to break out at a very young age.

For a while, I had my acne under control. I was using products such as Bioré, Neutrogena, etc. to calm my inflammation and treat the pimples that had appeared under my skin. But after a while, those products stopped working and I was left with skin that I absolutely hated...

The worst of it, however, reared its head almost a year after I turned sixteen. Luckily, the pesky pimples held out long enough for me to enjoy my sixteenth birthday, but it wasn't too long after that I started to hate most things, especially my appearance...

The above picture was taken on May 20, 2018. At the time, my acne had gotten SUPER out of hand and was now producing large, painful bumps on my cheeks and forehead. During this time, I had been using Clean & Clear acne products, which used to be my absolute savior when it came to keeping my acne at bay. But it was after this bout of uncomfortable acne that I decided to opt for a new brand and attempt to get my self-confidence back.

I decided to try a new product by Neutrogena called "On-The-Spot Acne Treatment" based on an online recommendation of trying benzoyl peroxide-based products for "cystic acne," which is what I assumed I had at that point. Within five days of using it, it made a HUGE difference with the acne on my cheek (as you can see in the image above). However, it did produce quite a bit of dry skin (also visible in the image), which was just as uncomfortable as the painful bumps that were still at large. But I stuck with the product in hopes that maybe, just maybe, it could solve my problem once and for all.

After nine days of using the Neutrogena spot treatment, the bumps began to diminish and the redness began to subside, but my skin was drying out like CRAZY. And using my Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer was doing absolutely nothing to help...

I stopped using the spot treatment, and as a result, was gifted with more redness, more irritation, and more pain. So glad that I could trust you, pores...Not too long after, I started using Dermalogica (one of my absolute FAVORITE skincare brands, btw), mainly because I had to get senior portraits done and I didn't want to look like, well...you know.

Between July and December of 2018, I had been using Dermalogica products (particularly the Clear Start range designed for teenage acne) and noticed a big difference. However, it wasn't until I started using a Cetaphil cleanser about two months ago that I really noticed a difference in my skin. Not only are there very few bumps on my skin, but my scarring from the large pimples in May has diminished significantly.

Other products that I used during this time include:

Juice Beauty 2-in-1 Cleanser

Juice Beauty Exfoliating Peel Spray *

Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer *

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant *

(Items with an * are products that I still use)

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Battling with mild acne for the past year has been an absolute nightmare. Not only does something like this DESTROY your self-confidence, but it prevents you from going out in public, spending time with your friends, and it keeps you from hopping into group photos. For months, I've hated taking selfies because it reminded me of how hideous I looked and how terrible my skin was. But now, about eight months later, I can honestly say that I couldn't be happier about how far my skin has come. I can now take selfies. I can join in on group photos. I can go out in public without having anxiety about what people think of my appearance. I can finally say that I am in a comfortable place with my skin, and although I still hate looking in the mirror and seeing my scars, I constantly remind myself that it used to be a million times worse.

In the end, don't let yourself or anyone else belittle your beauty. No matter what ails your skin (acne, scars, wrinkles, etc.) you are a beautiful human being with a beautiful soul. Don't let anyone take that away from you. Especially yourself.

Thank you SO much for reading. I hope you enjoyed my acne story and perhaps decide to try some of the products that helped me if you're battling with the same sort of thing. Leave me a comment below with acne stories of your own/what you thought of this post and I'll be sure to respond to as many as possible.

Until next time! :)