Acne is a persistent skin condition that can affect anyone at any age, and finding the right treatment can be a long and challenging journey. My battle with acne began during the pandemic and lasted for almost four years. In this article, I’ll share how long it took me to clear my acne, the journey I went through, the steps I took to combat acne, and the valuable lessons I learned along the way.
Before explaining my journey, it’s worth briefly explaining what acne is and why it persists.
What is Acne and Why Does it Persist?
Understanding Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This blockage leads to the formation of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes cysts or nodules.
Acne typically appears on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders—areas with the highest concentration of oil (sebaceous) glands.
Types of Acne
- Whiteheads: Closed, clogged pores that appear as small, flesh-coloured bumps.
- Blackheads: Open clogged pores that turn dark due to oxidation.
- Papules: Small red, tender bumps.
- Pustules: Pimples containing pus.
- Nodules: Large, painful lumps beneath the skin.
- Cysts: Painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the skin.
However the most common types of Acne are:
Causes of Acne
Acne can happen due to various reasons:
- Hormonal Changes: Hormones, especially during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and stress, can make your skin produce more oil, leading to acne.
- Excess Oil Production: Sometimes, your skin glands make too much oil, which can clog pores and cause bacteria to grow.
- Bacteria: A type of bacteria called P. acnes thrives in clogged pores, causing inflammation and infection.
- Dead Skin Cells: When dead skin cells build up, they can block hair follicles and create a place for bacteria to grow.
- Genetics: If your family has a history of acne, you might be more likely to get it too.
- Diet: Some foods, like sugary carbs and dairy products, might trigger acne in some people.
- Stress: While stress itself doesn’t cause acne, it can make it worse by increasing oil production.
Why Acne Persists
Acne can be tough to treat for these reasons:
- Hormonal Imbalances: Hormone changes, especially in teens and women, can keep causing breakouts.
- Skincare Mistakes: Using harsh products or over-cleansing can make acne worse by stripping your skin of natural oils.
- Diet Issues: Eating foods that trigger acne can keep the condition going.
- Stress and Lack of Sleep: Both can throw your hormones off balance and slow skin healing.
- Picking at Pimples: This can make acne worse by causing more inflammation and scarring.
Related:
*Suffering from acne on dry-sensitive skin?
*How to treat acne on-dry-sensitive skin? Experts suggestions.
The Beginning of My Acne Journey
Nearly four years ago, my skin started breaking out severely during the pandemic. Until then, I had never experienced significant acne and was unaware of proper skincare practices.
My routine consisted of washing my face with soap and using random moisturizers, many of which contained harmful chemicals. This lack of an appropriate regimen of skincare contributed to my worsening acne.
Types of Acne I Experienced
During my battle with acne, I encountered various types of breakouts, with whiteheads and blackheads being the most persistent and troublesome.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads, also known as closed comedones, were common for me. These small, flesh-coloured bumps appeared when my pores got clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
They mostly showed up on my forehead and cheeks, making my skin look bumpy. Managing them needed a careful balance of exfoliation and hydration to keep pores clear without irritating my skin.
Blackheads:
Blackheads, or open comedones, were another big challenge. These tiny dark spots appeared when my pores were clogged but remained open, causing the trapped oil and dead skin cells to oxidize and turn black. They were most noticeable on my nose and chin.
Despite their small size, blackheads were particularly frustrating because they gave my skin a rough texture and were tough to remove without irritating.
The Struggle
These types of acne were not only physically noticeable but also impacted my confidence. Over the years, I tried various methods to treat them, from over-the-counter products to professional treatments but these were not helpful.
The process was indeed slow and often discouraging, and I had to start learning more about the nature of my acne. That was also when my blog journey and curiosity for skincare began.
Discovering Effective Steps and Products
Determined to find a solution, I started researching skincare on my own. I began experimenting with different products and routines, slowly implementing and testing them.
Managing Whiteheads and Blackheads
Through trial and error, over the years I discovered a skincare regimen that helped manage and reduce the appearance of whiteheads and blackheads. Here are some key steps I took:
- Gentle Cleansing: Using a gentle cleanser twice a day helped keep my pores clean without stripping my skin of its natural oils.
- Exfoliation: Incorporating a mild exfoliant a few times a week helped remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.
- Hydration: Keeping my skin well-moisturized was crucial to maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing overproduction of oil.
- Non-Comedogenic Products: Choosing skincare and makeup products that didn’t clog my pores made a significant difference.
These steps, along with patience and consistency, played a crucial role in managing my acne and improving my skin’s overall appearance.
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The Skincare Routine & Product that made a difference:
And now here are the exact skincare routine, steps, and products that made a significant difference in my skin:
Morning Routine:
Cerave Hydrating Cream Cleanser: A gentle cleanser that helps control oil and clear impurities without stripping my skin. Product review here.
Hada Labo Lotion and Moisturizer: These products provided deep hydration and improved my skin’s texture. To learn about the differences and what each range does, check this article here.
La Roche Posay spf 30: Essential for protecting my skin from UV damage and preventing hyperpigmentation. Check the product review here.
Night Routine:
CeraVe Foaming and Hydrating Oil Cleanser: A double-cleansing approach with CeraVe ensures thorough makeup removal and deep cleansing.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% ha-2%(later increased to 10%): This exfoliant helped reduce acne scars and improve skin texture.
Hada Labo Milky Cream: Provided intense hydration and nourishment overnight.
From time to time, I would use other products like vitamin C serums, but I kept my routine simple and focused on consistency.
Are you interested to know how a simple 3-step skincare routine helped clear my acne? Check out this article here.
The Importance of Patience and Consistency
Clearing my acne was not an overnight process. It took almost four years of trial and error, research, and consistent skincare routines to see significant improvements. There were times when I felt like giving up, but perseverance paid off. Here are some key lessons I learned:
Understand Your Skin Type: Knowing your skin type and its needs is crucial for selecting the right products.
Take One Step at a Time: Introduce new products gradually and avoid overwhelming your skin with too many products at once.
Be Consistent: Stick to your skincare routine and give products time to work.
Take Care of Yourself: Relax, eat healthily, and do things you enjoy to reduce stress, which can affect your skin.
Stay Patient: Acne treatment takes time, and there are no quick fixes. Patience is key.
Keep It Simple: A simple routine is often more effective than a complex one. Focus on the basics: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.
Dealing with After-Treatment Concerns
Even after clearing my acne, I had to address issues like scars and hyperpigmentation. Over time, these concerns have improved with continued skincare and targeted treatments.
Initially, I was worried about acne returning, but as my routine proved effective, this fear diminished. Staying positive and trusting the progress I made helped me manage this concern.
Conclusion
My journey to clear acne took nearly four years, but it was a transformative experience that taught me valuable lessons about skincare, patience, and self-care.
If you’re struggling with acne, remember that persistence and a simple, consistent routine can make a significant difference.
Embrace your journey, stay positive, and trust in the process. Clear skin is achievable with the right approach and mindset.
