My Experience Dealing With Severe Acne Breakout

Posted on by Hani by

I used to be really lucky to have great skin in my teens and 20s. But when I reached my 30s, things started to change. My T-zone often broke out with cystic acne, and fungal acne appeared on my forehead. My face became congested with whiteheads. The skincare products I had trusted for years stopped working. It felt like my acne was resistant to them. Nothing I tried seemed to help, and honestly, it was frustrating.

In 2019, I started dealing with acne breakouts, and by 2020, it had become severe. It was the worst acne I had ever experienced. Fungal acne popped up on my forehead in July 2020, followed by painful cystic acne in September. Every day, new pimples would show up, and they were big and painful. It got so bad that people around me noticed and started giving advice or recommending solutions.

What Caused the Breakout?

Looking back, I believe hormonal changes were the main cause of my breakout. The first time it was triggered was in 2019 during a toxic relationship, which led to an irregular menstrual cycle and a lot of stress from work. The lockdown period didn’t help—my workload increased, and I had to be in the office, even on weekends. I wasn’t getting enough rest or sleep, which made things worse.

On top of that, I think some of the pills I was taking triggered the breakouts too. I wasn’t careful about what I put into my body, and I learned the hard way how much it can affect your skin.

Taking Control

By September 2020, my skin was in such bad shape that I was seriously considering seeing a dermatologist. But first, I decided to try handling it myself. I spent hours researching acne treatments online, watching YouTube videos, and reading articles. I found tips and recommendations that seemed relevant, and slowly, I started to see results.

It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight. Reducing my acne took a lot of hard work, dedication, and consistency. Here’s what I did:

1. I Changed My Diet
I realized that what I ate played a big role in my skin health. So, I made some big changes:

  • I cut out white sugar completely—no sodas, sugary drinks, or sweets. I drank lots of plain water and used honey to replace sugar in my food and drinks.
  • I stopped eating white rice and switched to brown rice.
  • I avoided flour-based foods like bread, cookies, cakes, noodles, and pasta.
  • My meals were simple and clean: grilled or baked chicken, fish, soups, boiled vegetables, and salads.
  • I also added healthy drinks to my routine, like green tea with cinnamon, ginger, and chia seeds.
  • I stopped consuming dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream.
  • I added pumpkin seeds to my diet, which are great for the skin.

2. Started Taking the Right Supplements
I learned about L-lysine and Probiotics, which are known to help with skin and acne. Here’s what I took:

  • Morning: L-Lysine and Fish Oil.
  • Afternoon: Vitamin C.
  • Night: Probiotics before bed.

And of course, I drank plenty of water throughout the day.

3. Updated Skincare Routine

I completely overhauled my skincare products to target my breakouts.

Cleanser and Toner

Why it works: Cleansing oils are excellent for breaking down oil-based products like makeup and sunscreen, while cleansers containing salicylic acid help unclog pores and gently exfoliate the skin.

Why it works: This toner is formulated for acne-prone skin and helps remove any residual makeup or cleanser while also balancing the skin’s pH. It preps the skin for the next steps in the skincare routine by ensuring it’s completely clean and hydrated.

Serums and Gels

These are the serums and gels I rely on in my skincare routine, and each product plays a specific role in managing acne and improving skin texture. 

    • Salicylic Acid by Cos De Baha every morning. I put 2-3 drops on the palm and apply them all over my face.
    • Clindamycin (Axcel) for spot treatment. Salicylic acid treats acne from the inside, unclogging blocked pores, whereas Clindamycin treats acne on the surface. 
    • Benzac AC in the evening to each pimple.
    • Retinol 0.2% by The Ordinary at night.
      (Important tip: Never mix retinol with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide!)

Important Tips:

      • Salicylic acid, clindamycin, and benzac should never be mixed with retinol. Using them together can cancel out their effectiveness and might irritate your skin.
      • Always apply these products to a dry face. They won’t work properly if mixed with water.
      • Use only a pea-sized amount for each application. Using more won’t make your acne disappear faster. Overusing these products can irritate your skin and make it worse.

Face Moisturizer & Sunscreen / Sunblock

Using serums like salicylic acid, clindamycin, and retinol can significantly dry out the skin and make it more sensitive to sunlight. To protect and hydrate my skin, I made moisturizer and sunblock an essential part of my daily routine. Here’s how I did it:

Morning Routine:

  1. After cleansing and applying salicylic acid and clindamycin, I followed up with a generous layer of Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion. This moisturizer is lightweight, non-greasy, and provides long-lasting hydration.
  2. To protect my skin from UV damage, I applied La-Roche Posay Invisible Fluid Sunblock or La-Roche Posay Hydrating Cream. Both offer excellent sun protection without leaving a white cast or greasy feel.
  3. I waited for the moisturizer to fully absorb before applying sunscreen. This ensures the sunblock sits well on the skin and provides effective protection.

Night Routine:

  1. After my evening cleansing routine and applying retinol, I waited for about 15 minutes. This gave the retinol enough time to penetrate the skin without interference.
  2. Then, I applied Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion to lock in hydration and soothe any dryness caused by retinol.

Why This Step Is Essential:

  • Moisturizer: Prevents dryness and maintains the skin’s barrier, especially when using active ingredients like acids and retinol.
  • Sunscreen: Protects the skin from harmful UV rays, which can worsen acne scars, trigger hyperpigmentation, and cause premature ageing.

Consistency with these steps not only kept my skin hydrated but also protected it from further damage while treating my acne. Always remember: sunscreen is non-negotiable, even if you’re indoors or it’s cloudy!

Spot Corrector, Anti-Marks & Dark Spots, Eye Cream

When acne heals, it often leaves behind scars and dark spots that take time to fade. To manage this, I use specific products to speed up the fading process and minimize the appearance of these marks. Here’s how I incorporate them into my routine:

Spot Corrector for Coverage:

  • On days when I leave the house, I use Spot Cover Fluid by Hiruscar to hide acne scars. It provides a smooth and natural finish while concealing imperfections.

Anti-Marks & Dark Spots Treatment:

  1. Morning Routine:
    • After applying my serums, I use La-Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. This product is designed to reduce the appearance of acne scars and prevent future breakouts. It also works well under sunscreen and makeup.
  2. Evening Routine:
    • At night, I rely on Oxy anti-pimples mark, my all-time favourite for fading dark spots. It’s lightweight, effective, and gentle on my skin. I apply it directly to the affected areas after cleansing and applying Retinol.

Eye Care:

  • Since the skin around the eyes is sensitive and delicate, I ensure that none of my serums or acne spot treatments touch this area.
  • For targeted eye care, I use RoC Retinol Correction Eye Cream. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles while keeping the under-eye area hydrated.

 

Important Tips:

Always apply spot treatments directly to the scars, avoiding healthy skin to prevent unnecessary dryness.

4. Other Tips That Helped

  • I switched to anti-dandruff shampoo and paraben-free skincare products.
  • I made a conscious effort not to pop my acne.
  • Once a week, I use a clay mask to deeply cleanse my skin, unclog pores, and remove excess oil.
  • Pillowcases can harbour oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells, so I change them often to avoid transferring them to my skin.
  • When the breakout areas on my face feel itchy, I soothe the skin with Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera 100% gel.
  • I avoid wearing heavy makeup, especially foundation and BB cream, as they can clog pores and aggravate breakouts.
  • I deactivated all my social media accounts to spend less time on my phone and focus on getting enough sleep and rest.
  • I also started practising yoga to reduce stress and improve my overall well-being, which has positively impacted my skin.
As you can see, I worked hard to get rid of the acne, and this is how my skin looks now.

The Results

After months of sticking to this routine, my acne started to reduce. It didn’t disappear overnight, but the improvement was noticeable, and that motivated me to keep going. Today, my skin isn’t perfect, but it’s so much better than it was during my worst breakout.

I also started getting regular facial treatments at Medicdeno Skin Solution to maintain my progress. You can read more about the treatment here. 

Final Thoughts

Dealing with severe acne was a tough journey, but it taught me a lot about my skin and my body. If you’re struggling with breakouts, don’t lose hope. It takes time, patience, and the right approach to see results.

Remember, everyone’s skin is different, so what worked for me might not work for you. Listen to your skin, do your research, and consult a dermatologist if needed.

Stay consistent and kind to yourself—healing takes time.

 

X, Hani

 

 

error: Content is protected !!