After years of struggling with acne, which started off as a minor problem during high school and escalated to confidence-damaging heights throughout my time as a university student, I inevitably found what works and doesn’t work for my skin. I have seemingly used every “miracle” product on the market, and spent many nights scouring the internet for tips and tricks. In the midst of my twenties, I think that I have finally conquered this skin care issue, although I am haunted by the thought of a massive, unable-to-hide pimple appearing on my face once again.
While my skin is not one-hundred percent perfect and I am not an expert, I can now leave my house without caking my face with foundation or hiding under a baseball cap. The treatments and products I use may not be for everyone, but have helped immensely in curing my acne. Here’s my personal recipe for success when it comes to keeping my skin clear.
One Course of Accutane
While Accutane does appear to have super powers when it comes to treating acne, it comes with a long list of minor and serious side effects. I chose Accutane because I was at the point where I would do literally anything for clear skin and had tried multiple other treatments to no avail, from over-the-counter products to prescribed topical treatments and antibiotics.
If nothing else seems to be working for you—and, of course, you fulfill the medical requirements for starting this treatment—Accutane may be for you. After doing a ton of research and reading about other’s experiences with it, I decided that the positives outweighed the negatives in my case. I took Accutane for about seven months. If you are considering this treatment, be forewarned: your acne WILL get worse while on Accutane before it gets better. I went through months of sulking at home before I noticed a positive change in my skin. Once the course was complete, my skin was clear, minus a couple of pesky pimples, and only continued to improve as the months went by.
One Minute of Cleansing
I discovered the Clarisonic cleansing device over a year ago, and since then, I don’t think I can ever go back to the old-fashioned way of washing my face. There’s just something about that oscillating brush that makes your skin feel clean. I’ve experienced less breakouts and softer skin from using this tool along with a gentle face wash (I use the plant-based Live Clean foaming daily cleanser) before I go to bed each night. All it takes is one minute, so there really isn’t an excuse to not wash your face. For those nights when you get home and plunk down on your bed only to suddenly feel glued to it, have a box of cleansing wipes on your bedside table. While you won’t get a deep clean, it’s better than falling asleep with a face full of makeup.
Spot Treat as Needed
I use tea tree oil as a spot treatment— its antibacterial properties make it amazing for stopping emerging pimples dead in their tracks without drying out your skin. Some people dislike its strong aromatic scent, but after a couple uses you’ll barely notice it. I swear by this product and prefer to use it in its pure form, which can be found at your local drug store.
No Picking Necessary
I am a compulsive skin picker. As soon as I see the opportunity to squeeze any junk out of my pores, I feel a tinge of excitement run through me. I have this habit under control now for the most part, due to the fact that more often than not it would result in making the situation worse rather than the zit magically disappearing. For those times when picking gets the best of me, I apply Polysporin Original Antibiotic Ointment to the area, and keep it covered with a small bandage overnight. Remove the bandage in the morning, and voila!—you should see a smaller, faded spot well on its way to recovery.
