How To Heal Acne | My Acne Arsenal

I want to share with you guys something a little bit different today. I'm not perfect if anyone thinks I am. LOL. Nope, nobody is. I've struggled with quite bad hormonal acne since going off the pill in February 2014. After I moved to Florida, I thought that the weather might be the reason why my skin broke out every single day. Opposed to Europe, it's very humid and hot here. But as the time went, and I tried various cheap or expensive acne products, I've realized that the pimples always appear on the same spot - mostly around my mouth and chin which is a well known and unfortunately popular area for hormonal imbalance. I spent so much money on different products but nothing was really helping. So frustrating! I did my research on "how to treat hormonal acne", how to get rid of cystic zits overnight etc. But the reality is, that what works for one, doesn't have to work for others, because every single person has unique skin. So I kind of had to find my own way through it. I want to share with you my tips and my daily face routine today. I hope somebody can find it useful (even if just one of you). Please feel free to share your experience with acne in the comments if you have any. ♥
▲This is my current skin situation and I'm so thankful. I'm getting my porcelain skin back. Slowly but surely... I still get pimples here and there and I'm still fighting those little closed comedones, but they are definitely not as big and don't leave the scars on my face. Sometimes I get red spots around my mouth too. especially in the critical acne area, but most days my skin is bright and I'm really happy about it! I think I've already figured out what works the best for me. It took a year and a half to find the perfect product combination that doesn't dry my skin too much, gives my face the most needed nutrition, and actually fights the pimples successfully. This picture is taken on a good skin day and it's my nude skin, without any make-up. The light is natural, coming from the window in the morning.
▼And these pictures below are how my usual break-outs used to look like (like a year ago or so). I would have a few big zits at the same spot, every month (mostly mouth & chin, but sometimes also forehead). Of course I figured out soon, that if I keep picking at it, it will leave a scar for a few months. So I was just trying not to touch it. I recommend you to take photos of yourself to compare the pictures every month. The same pimples sometimes even come around the same time every month. It will be easier for you to track the situation and this is also how you find out what kind of acne you have. Mine had, for sure, the hormonal cause!
Those are pictures of me from May 2014. The skin has just started to freak out after going off the birth control. It was not a pleasant change for someone who has never had to deal with acne. I felt really bad. This picture is, though, just a start and it became even worse later. I had huge zits forming overnight on my chin and they hurt pretty bad too. If you struggle with acne, remember my first and most important advice: DO NOT PICK AT ANY PIMPLES FOR ANY REASON! It may sound like a cliche and sci-fi, and it's very tempting, but this is the worst thing you can do! It's not just going to heal much later because of it, but you are going to spread the infection all over the place and, last but not least: It's always easier to cover a little lump than a bloody painful red zit that you just squeezed. Just leave it alone!
By the way... Did you know there's a disease called Dermatillomania? It's an official name for the fact that you constantly pick at your skin and can't stop it. If you don't take it seriously, make sure you check this link out. It should make you finally STOP! You don't want to have scars, do you? With picking, you always make it worse, it's a rule! This picture above shows how it looks inside of your pimple. Do you really think that you're going to fix it by sqeezing? Especially the inflamed painful pimple? NOPE. Just forget about it! What usually helps me not to pick, is to remove my make-up without looking in the mirror before shower. Without seeing all the little details and imperfections, you simply let them go. Also keep your nails short to make sure you don't have anything to pick your zits with. Or you just put a big sign in your restroom: "DO NOT PICK"! Ha!
What products do I use that really work work me? It's been a long way for me to find the right combination of products that actually makes my skin look better. I think it's definitely about the right combination of all of them which I had to figure out and it took me a year and some change. I'm not saying that my skin is absolutely perfect now. And I can't really promise that it's going to work for you. But you can always give it a shot, I guess. So these products showed as the right acne fighters and partners in crime for me:
This is my morning skin routine:
1) I always clean my face with a neutral oil as a first thing in the morning. Try to avoid using products that only make your skin dry (and your skin is then trying to produce more oil and causes more pimples). 
2) Coalface soap is making my skin feel great! Sometimes I use it both in the morning and evening. It cleanses the rest of your make-up and smells lovely. Peel your skin naturally and gently with using this soap.
3) Herbalism cleansing roll is made especially for the problematic skin. You can either use the coalface or this, or like I do, both. Lush products are so natural and gentle so you don't have to worry about using them too often.
4) I bought this Primer at Walmart. It was just a few bucks but I can see the difference using it, when you want to put your make up on right after washing your face in the morning. The make-up will stay on the right place for the whole day thanks to this primer. And your skin feels super smooth.
Then I apply my make-up. I don't get too crazy about my make-up. My life doesn't really need tons of make-up. And if you live in Florida, it would melt anyway. I just want to look pretty for work and my man. But he tells me I look beautiful without make-up all the time. Lucky me! My make-up routine takes up to 10 minutes and then I'm literally ready to go. I'm planning on making a video of my make-up routine soon too (stay tuned!)

I always remove my make-up as a first thing when I get home from work. Immediately. Your face absorbs all the dirt from your environment during the day, and your pores suck up your make-up too. And here comes a clog and a pimple! Make sure you take all the make-up away from your face. Even if I'm still going out after work, I would put my make-up on again, and never leave the same stuff on my face for the whole day. Proper cleaning is one of the most important things especially if you suffer from acne! Let your skin breathe!
This is my evening skin routine:
1) Before the shower, every day, I use this oil-free cleanser. It's the only drugstore product that I use on my skin. I tried so many, with the same substances, and no results whatsoever. This one should elminiate the acne bacteria and has a nice consistency. I don't use it for eyes though - and I don't recommend it - it would most likely itch! I remove my mascara with the neutral oil again.
2) Then I take the rest of my make-up off in the shower with this Dark Angels from Lush cleanser.
3) When I get out, I always put a little bit of a Tea Tree Oil on a cotton cleansing pad and apply it only to the most affected areas which is usually chin and around mouth area. And let it absorb.
4) My absolute miracle overnight is this amazing Payot purifying cream. Even if I break the rule and pick a little bit before bed once in a while, this thick cream will get it sorted till morning. I apply a layer on my pimples and then put a paper tissue or towel over my pillow so my sheets don't get dirty.

I also use this amazing product called Aztec Secret / Indian Healing Clay. It's a clay that you mix with either water or apple vinegar and put on your face as a mask for 15 minutes. I do this twice a week and it cleanses my skin very well. Just leave it on and then wash it from your face in the shower. I found it on Amazon when searching for some acne treatment and it had really good reviews. So I ordered it to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised as I saw the change after my first use. Check it out here.
Instead of a foundation, I always use this healing pasta first (Aknecolor light). It's supposed to be 2 in 1, since it covers the imperfections and heal at the same time. It has a very light texture and I love to use it right after the Primer and before the regular foundation. I bought this in a pharmacy in Czech republic but I hope you can find something similar everywhere in the world. BB creams have usually very nice and light texture and will give you some color.
DO NOT use too much of a make-up if you suffer with acne. It only clogs your pores. I know you want to cover your face even more when you suffer from acne, but I'm telling you: If you use only some kind of a light make-up, your face will get better and better every day, because it can breathe!
Some people say that only the change of their diet helped them. I tried to cut out sugar, dairy products etc., but my face didn't really react to it. I also started taking lots of vitamines, which probably helps, and if nothing else, I have more energy at least. I'm taking specifically those, because I hate to swallow huge pills, so I just chew the gummies. I also take vitamine E, B, Biotin and Zinc. Never take your vitamines on an empty stomach though! It would make you sick! You need to take it with a proper dish in order for it to work well. And drink lots of water! Always try to find the most natural ways to get rid of your acne. Your skin will only get irritated by to many chemicals. I tried plenty of products, even some popular and expensive ones. But my face situation only got better for like a week or two, and then it got back to normal (horrible skin with cysts!).

No matter how long you have been fighting your acne or how successful in your battle with acne you are, you should always know and remember that ACNE DOESN'T DEFINE YOU and who you are! If you still feel a little bit down, check out this link. Even celebrities have acne. Don't trust the retouched photos in the magazines that you see daily. It's fake! People have acne, big pores, black heads etc. We are human beings, not perfect plastic dolls. We have various skin issues. It's normal. And there must be a solution for everyone, just hold on and you're going to get there! We only live once to spend the whole life just covering our faces and being bummed about it. Nothing is as bad as it seems. Okay? ♥ I hope you found this post helpful and I will see you guys next time with a regular outfit post again. Take care, xoxo Suzy

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25 komentářů

  1. Wonderful post and tips. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I have struggled with acne since I was about 12, so it's been a 7-year ongoing struggle for me! Mine is largely genetics (my family was not blessed with the best skin, haha) and hormonal issues. I like your skincare routine, it seems quite natural. I have been interested in developing a more natural skincare routine as well.
    I also like tea tree oil! I just wish it wasn't so darn expensive!
    Have you ever used aloe vera or honey? I use aloe for my acne scars and I'm currently trying honey out--not sure of the results yet.

    Peace & Love // Celestralite

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  3. Judging by your perfect skin, your tips must work wonders Suzy!Thanks for sharing Miss!;)
    I wish you a very happy Monday! ;)
    ♥♥♥
    Jeanne
    http://fashionmusingsdiary.com

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  4. So brave of you to share your story and thank you for doing it. You will help so many people. I struggled with acne for years before I finally took Accutane to get rid of it. I still break out from time to time so this is very helpful!

    --Samantha

    http://www.BesosFromAmerica.com

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  5. Suzy... I've been blessed to only have the odd pimple here and there. I think not picking it and keeping it clean is extremely important... very good tips ♡

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  6. Very few people are actually blessed with perfect skin. I used to have pretty bad acne as a teenager and it definitely affected my confidence. Thank you for sharing your tips and routine and your views on acne as a whole Suzy. You're so right that it doesn't have to define you.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  7. Good things don't come easily. Nice if you to share wonderful tips. Your skin will become better and brighter. keep up the good work and thanks for visiting my blog.

    ckjacob.blogspot.com

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  8. I have been really lucky as I have good skin throughout my teens until today. I do get the occasional pimple but nothing major however I have a friend who suffers from really bad acne. I'll send her the link to this post, hopefully it might help her. I've read a lot of good reviews about the Indian Healing Clay mask, glad that it helped you too.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  9. Your skin looks beautiful! I have suffered through acne in the past too, so I know how it feels. Glad you found a routine that works for you.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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  10. There's definitely a few products here I'm totally going to try! Thanks!!

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  11. wow, it looks like a great result!

    http://differentcands.blogspot.com/

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  12. this is such a great post! I need to do better about taking care of my face! thanks for the great tips!
    kelseybang.com

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  13. Great review, and thanks so much for sharing!

    xx
    Yvonne
    http://tellmeyblog.com

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  14. I don't really have acne on my face at all, thanks to mom's skin. However, whenever my face dry, lots of tiny spots pop up on my cheeks. I can feel the rough skin when it dries

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  15. This post is so accurate and useful, great one :)

    Fashion and Cookies

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  16. Very great post and great tips. Thanks so much for sharing such an amazing story. A lot of times, ladies are usually too embarrassed to talk about their struggle with skin blemishes.

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  17. I totally understand your frustration you had when you had acne. I had exactly the same problem :( And Oh em gee, how good your skin looks right now! Chapeau! You should check the brand Mádara as well, this one truely saved my skin. I also wrote about it last week (see my in bed with Madara post!)

    xxx Linsey from POSE-BLOG.com

    You can also check my BLOGLOVIN & FACEBOOK if you like! :)

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  18. interesting post, your tips very nice
    would you like to pass from my blog?
    I wish you an happy day
    a big kiss
    <<< fashion blogger Pamela Soluri >>>

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been struggle with acne since I was 15. Thanks for sharing this! I know that I must not pick, but I realized it when it was already too late...

    sunandsany

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  20. It's refreshing to see a blogger being honest about their skin problems. Usually everybody tries to hide their flaws. I find it awesome that you blog about it and how you got the upper hand back. I never had acne problems but my skin goes hormone-crazy once a month too.
    You still have a doll face and look fantastic girl! :)


    I've posted some nice pics of the vintage & craft market I visited last week.
    Come and have a look if you like!

    Bad Taste Toast - A German/Australian Style Blog

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  21. Interesting post! Great tips, thanks for sharing!
    www.alessandrastyle.com

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  22. This is an amazing post. I tend to break out around my mouth (never growing up- but now, as an adult). I notice patterns for sure and I have never really known what to do about the problem. I found it helpful to learn about what works for you, because I am always trying to refine my routine and find better ways to clean my skin. Thanks for sharing. The pictures helped too! :)

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  23. You are so brave for sharing this post, I'm not sure if I would be able to post photos of my bare skin on the Internet at the moment. Your skin is looking amazing now though! I may have to try some of the products you suggested. I'm having SUCH bad breakouts at the moment - I recently switched to an organic tea tree face wash and an organic Manuka honey face cream. I've also heard for quite a few people that the mask of magnaminty from Lush is really good as well, so I will be giving that a try!

    The Velvet Black | UK Style & Beauty Blog

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