Are you struggling with acne-prone skin like me? I have always dreamed of having effortless glowing skin, but due to hormonal acne it has been a struggle.
However, as of recent, I have started a natural skincare journey to tackle my acne head-on. I no longer wanted to depend on birth control, prescription tablets like spironolactone and accutane, or antibiotics.
For a long time these solutions were some what working for me. I was on birth control for countless years as well as spironolactone. However, the side effects were such a pain for me and I hated that in order for me to continue seeing clear skin, I had to be taking these tablets.
With that said, outside of diet, I have found things that work for me. Although nothing has completely eliminated my acne (no, not even birth control and spironolactone), I have found some things that work well for me.
I feel confident sharing these simple steps because skin care does not have to be complicated in order to work. In hopes to encourage anyone not to give up on their skin care journey, I am sharing my journey! However, consulting your dermatologist is ultimately what is best, but here is what has worked for me.
*This site contains contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you use my links, this will not be at an extra cost to you, view full disclosure here.
Sunscreen!
Sunscreen is something I’ve been hearing so much about, and I’m here to vouch for it 100%! As someone who loves to be outside in the sun, sunscreen has been instrumental in preventing acne-related dark spots and hyper-pigmentation.
To preface, in my personal experience, sunscreen has not lightened any of my dark spots. However, I have noticed a difference in how dark my dark spots got over the days prior to wearing consistent sunscreen. It definitely has made it easier for me to focus on treating my acne dark spots so that they can fade without the sun worsening them. Basically, not only is laying out in the sun without sunscreen bad for you and your health, but it darkens your acne marks as well. You could be doing so much to progress your skin and it’s acne, but it will still appear congested due to the darkening marks where acne used to be if not wearing sunscreen.
Although I am in the house most of the time, I still make sure I reapply every two hours. I am also always trying out new options as well. Some sunscreens that have work well for me include:
These have worked well for me as they haven’t clogged my pores and dry clear on my dark skin.
Prescription Topical Skincare
Hear me out: prescription topical medications have been a game changer! I have been one to prioritize purchasing skin care advertised on TikTok over a medicated routine that was tailored to my skin’s needs for a long while (outside of prescription medication in tablet form). I am currently using the following and it has been working great for me now that I am being consistent and have built a routine:
- Tretinoin
- Azelaic Acid
- Antibiotic Pads
- Sulfur Soap (my sulfur lotion is too expensive so this is my alternative)
Remember, our skin health could mirror our overall health. I personally grapple with hormonal acne and have noticed dietary influences on my breakouts as well. If possible, consulting a doctor and dermatologist can be helpful in getting to the root cause of acne. Make sure you communicate your preferred way to heal so they can help you to their best ability.
Dr. Jart+ Skincare!
I absolutely LOVE Dr.Jart+ for all things skin barrier!
I never prioritized the importance of moisturizing and repairing my skin after using such harsh products, but I am so glad I do now. Dr. Jart+ has countless amazing products I love to use, but my personal favorite is their Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing mask followed by the moisturizer. This combination works really well after a week of using harsh products such as tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.
Cleansers
Cleansers – they’re not just a fleeting step! I’ve discovered cleansers that truly impact my routine, even though they’re on my face for just 60 seconds. I’ve got a range of soap bars and gentle cleansers and use them as follows:
- Occasional use of a kojic acid soap bar helps lighten dark marks (please follow instructions carefully as it can be harsh on your skin.)
- A sulfur soap bar which has helped my redness during breakouts as well as reducing the duration of my breakouts. I use this every now and then in the morning.
- For most nights, I opt for the Caudalie Vinoclean cleansing oil AND Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. I like to use the Cetaphil cleanser every morning.
The Power Duo: Hyaluronic Acid & Cerave Hydrating Toner
For a glass skin complexion, my ultimate combo consists of Cerave hydrating toner paired with The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay Hyaluronic Acid. This dynamic duo not only gives me a dewy glow all day but also mends any dryness caused by my prescription topicals.
