Dealing with acne can be overwhelming, especially when trying to figure out what works best for your skin. My personal experience taught me that simplicity was key to finding a solution. Unlike common acne treatments that involve a variety of active ingredients like niacinamide or retinoids, I cleared my skin using a more minimalist approach. I learned that sticking to the basics and being consistent allowed my skin to heal naturally over time.
In this article, I’ll walk you through my journey and how I treated my acne, including the steps I took, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I learned. But first, let’s briefly discuss what acne is and its most common causes.
Just a quick disclaimer: This content is intended solely for entertainment purposes. Check my medical disclaimer. For more severe conditions, it is advised to seek medical assistance.
Understanding Acne: Causes and Triggers
Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This leads to the formation of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes more severe forms like cysts or nodules. Acne is typically influenced by hormonal changes, especially during puberty, menstruation, or stress.
Other factors, such as excess oil production, poor skincare habits, and even genetics, can also trigger or worsen acne. When oil glands overproduce, pores become blocked, allowing bacteria to grow and cause inflammation, leading to breakouts.
For more information, check the following articles:
1. Understanding My Skin and the Cause of Breakouts
Before diving into any treatment, I realized it was essential to understand my skin type and the triggers causing my acne. During the pandemic, when I experienced the worst breakouts, I didn’t have much knowledge about skincare.
I had never really followed any routine, which eventually contributed to clogged pores and excess oil production. Stress, diet, and hormonal fluctuations were also factors that made my acne worse. So, I focused on what I could control—my skincare routine.
2. Simplifying My Skincare Routine
The first and most significant step I took was to simplify my skincare routine. Before this, I made the common mistake of overloading my skin with multiple products, hoping something would work. However, this only irritated my skin further. Here’s what I narrowed my routine down to:
Gentle Cleanser: Using a gentle, non-foaming cleanser, mainly the CeraVe cleansers, twice a day made a huge difference. I avoided harsh cleansers that could strip my skin’s natural oils, which only led to more oil production and, ultimately, more breakouts. A mild cleanser helped clear away impurities without leaving my skin feeling dry or tight.
Moisturizer: Hydration is crucial for maintaining the skin barrier, and contrary to what I initially believed, moisturizing does not contribute to acne when done right. I chose a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer from the Hada Labo range that provided the hydration my skin needed while avoiding clogging my pores. This helped keep my skin balanced and reduced the overproduction of oil.
Sunscreen: Many people skip sunscreen, especially when they have acne-prone skin, but this was a non-negotiable step for me. Sunscreen not only prevents hyperpigmentation and acne scarring but also protects the skin from further damage caused by UV rays. I used a non-comedogenic, broad-spectrum sunscreen every day to ensure that my skin stayed protected and my post-acne marks didn’t worsen.
Related:
*How a Simple 3-Step Skincare Routine Cleared my Acne
3. Using Gentle Exfoliators
In addition to my simple routine, I incorporated gentle exfoliation once or twice a week. I found that over-exfoliating made my acne worse, so I used mild exfoliators that helped clear dead skin cells without irritating my skin. This step was important to manage whiteheads and blackheads by keeping my pores unclogged, but I made sure not to go overboard with exfoliation.
4. Consistency Over Complexity
One of the most crucial lessons I learned is that consistency is far more important than the complexity of a skincare routine. While it’s tempting to try new products or switch up your routine constantly, I found that giving my skin time to adapt to a stable routine was much more effective. Acne treatment takes time, and any new product I introduced, I used consistently for several weeks to evaluate its effectiveness.
The idea that more products equal better results is a myth that many people, including myself, fall for. Once I adopted a minimalist approach, I noticed that my skin became less reactive and more balanced. By not overwhelming my skin with too many actives or treatments, it had the chance to heal naturally.
5. Avoiding Common Mistakes
There are several mistakes I made at the start of my acne journey that delayed my progress:
Over-exfoliating: Initially, I thought exfoliating more would help unclog pores faster. In reality, it only irritated my skin further. I learned that gentle exfoliation once or twice a week with a mild exfoliant was more than enough to keep my skin smooth without causing damage.
Skipping Moisturizer: At one point, I avoided moisturizer altogether, thinking it would make my skin too oily. This was a mistake. When the skin is deprived of moisture, it compensates by producing more oil, which can lead to breakouts. Finding a good moisturizer helped keep my skin balanced and prevented excess oil production.
Picking at Pimples: It’s tempting to pick at pimples, but this only leads to more inflammation, infection, and potential scarring. I made it a habit to avoid touching my face unnecessarily and left any spots alone to heal.
Using Too Many Products at Once: In my urge to improve my skin, I often used too many products at the same time, which overwhelmed my skin and caused irritation. I learned that simplifying my routine and introducing new products one at a time was far more effective.
For more info about it check the following article:
*Avoid These 10 Mistakes when Dealing with Acne
6. Stress Management and Holistic Care
Another aspect I couldn’t ignore was how stress impacted my skin. Stress can make acne worse, especially during difficult times, like the pandemic. I started paying more attention to my mental health, practising mindfulness, and ensuring I got enough sleep. Reducing stress played a significant role in calming my skin.
The diet also became a focus for me. While it’s not the main cause of acne, avoiding certain foods, like sugary snacks and dairy, helped reduce flare-ups. Staying hydrated and eating more whole, unprocessed foods contributed to my skin’s overall improvement.
7. The Importance of Patience
Perhaps the hardest part of treating acne is staying patient. Progress isn’t always linear, and there were times when my skin seemed to get worse before it got better. However, I learned that perseverance was key. By sticking to my routine, avoiding harsh treatments, and giving my skin the time it needed to heal, I eventually started seeing consistent improvements.
It took years—rather than weeks or months—for me to see significant changes, but the gradual improvement was worth it. Understanding that acne treatment is a long-term process kept me from being discouraged during the inevitable setbacks.
Conclusion
Clearing my acne was not an overnight process, but through trial and error, I discovered that the most effective approach for me was one of simplicity. By focusing on gentle cleansing, hydration, sun protection, and stress management, I gave my skin the chance to heal.
For anyone dealing with acne, my advice is to keep it simple, stay consistent, and above all, be patient. It’s a journey, but clear skin is possible with the right approach.
